There are plenty of ways you can get your children interested in reading. Here are 5 ideas that you can use to encourage your little ones to pick up a book…
1. DRESS UP
The best way to celebrate any occasion? Fancy dress, of course! So when the next kids’ birthday party comes around, why not choose a character from a book? Whether you go full superhero cosplay or knock up an outfit from things you already have in your wardrobe, helping your youngster dress up as a literary character they love will deepen their enjoyment of those books. There’s a reason why World Book Day is so popular – it really helps kids to get involved!
Try to steer your children towards easy costumes to make things easier for you! Check Children’s Books Daily not only for information on the best new kid’s books, but for tons of costume ideas as well. Come up with a unique and cool outfit for your child and they’ll stand out at a party full of pirates and princesses!
2. READ TOGETHER
Reading to children shouldn’t just be for bedtime! Research shows that small children who have stories read to them every day enjoy the benefits of a wider vocabulary at a younger age and learning to read for themselves quicker. Get your child to pick out their favourite book (or perhaps a book that a little advanced for them to read alone) and have a go at reading it together. This way you can identify any areas they stumble on when reading and can work on improving them.
3. VISIT A BOOK SHOP
Oh my goodness, for a reader like me this suggestion would be the ultimate day out as a child. Who am I kidding? It still IS! Take your children down to the book shop with the promise that they can pick out a new book that they can keep forever. Shops will often have special deals on kid’s books, and maybe even have some events on. Book shops are known to have author visits (especially around World Book Day in March) to encourage kids to get into reading so check with the store before you visit in case there’s a special event planned.
4. TAKE A TRIP TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
Support your local library! Hundreds of libraries across the country (and probably the world) face closure due to government cuts each year. However, they’re one of the last remaining free resources for citizens. Making regular library trips shows your support for them, and you get FREE book loans in return – it’s a no-brainer. I remember just how much I loved going to the library as a youngster – I’d never seen so many books, and they were all available to anyone (and still are)!
This tip is perfect for cash-strapped parents: libraries are a free family day out AND you can bring away a book to read without parting with any money. They’re the best way to introduce kids to different kinds of books as well. Borrowing free books allows children to experiment with dozens of different genres and explore non-fiction, for example. Just the same as book shops, libraries go all out to encourage kids to read so keep an eye out for free events, kid’s games and social gatherings for parents. They often also have ‘Reading Challenges’ for children of all ages to complete over a length of time.
5. WRITE YOUR OWN STORIES
Help your little ones write their own stories, and perhaps one day you’ll find yourself the parent of a famous author! Children are naturally imaginative, and many will already love writing their own stories unprompted. Gather some paper and pens and create a story together! If your child is too young to write yet, sit with them to verbally make up a tale and write it for them. By all means, give them the pen and get them to scribble it by themselves!
I hope these ideas have given you some inspiration for getting your kids into books and please leave me a comment below if you have any other suggestions 🙂
This article is a sponsored collaboration. The pink links in the content indicate a sponsored link or information source. The blog post reflects my own experience and the sponsor hasn’t had any control over my content 🙂
