How to Encourage Children to Read

Reading is a wonderful hobby. An activity that when indulged in can open up fascinating new worlds and take you to places you could only dream of. While many people take to reading as adults, it is important that reading be encouraged and nurtured in childhood. Children who read have strong vocabulary and are more comfortable with writing and language skills than children who don’t read. It is, therefore, quite essential to encourage children to like books and enjoy reading right from the very beginning.

 Here are some easy ways to instill in your children a love of books and reading-

1. Buy Appropriate Books - One of the most important steps in encouraging children to read is to get them books that are appropriate for their age and their preferences. For instance, young girls would like reading about fairies and princesses while young boys would like superheroes more and toddlers would have their own unique requirements. For more on buying books do read Choosing Books for Toddlers.
2. Join A Library - Since most books are quite expensive and therefore, are often, not bought, it would be a good idea to join a library and make it a weekly or fortnightly affair to visit it and get books issued. If possible, get your children a separate membership. Not only would this enable them to get their own books issued and reduce fights, it would also, make them feel more grown-up. 
3.    Keep Books At Home - Build a small library of frequently read and favorite books at home. Make it a cosy, little nook to curl up and read. Have books placed in various rooms and let your children know how much you appreciate and value your books.
4.  Make Reading Enjoyable – The best thing to do when encouraging children to read is to make it fun and enjoyable. Read together, read aloud or discuss the books you are reading. Make it a family affair and have fun doing it. Do remember, not, to force your own preferences on your children. Let them come to it naturally. For some good suggestions on how to make reading fun for young readers, especially toddlers do read Make Reading Together Fun for Your Toddler and You.
5. Have Fun Reading- Related Activities - Children would be greatly encouraged to read and learn from books, if you can come up with interesting reading related activities and games. Have your children put up a small play based on the book they’re reading, or identify a word and ask your child to count the number of times it comes up in the book or draw a picture of all the characters in the book. Make it innovative and fun, so that your child would look forward to getting his next book as soon as possible.

These easy to do ideas would not just encourage your child to read, they would also, help in developing a love for books and the written word. Use them to create a home where books and reading are loved, valued and treasured.