How Parents can Encourage their Kids to Read
Thank you parents for visiting Little Libraries! I already know that you are a dedicated parent who loves their children because you are here! You may be interested in encouraging your children to read more but maybe you’re just not sure how to go about it.
You may instinctively know that reading is good for kids, and you are absolutely right! In another post, I wrote about some of the benefits of reading with children. Reading with your kids helps them in so many ways!
Following are some tips to help you get in a routine of reading with your children.
Go to the library with your kids. Get kids in the habit of going to the library. There’s always one nearby, and its free! Set aside time once a week (or every other week) to go to the library. Try out different libraries in your community. Also check out the online tools to search the catalog and put books on holds, etc.
Create a little library at home:
Create a little reading space. Get a small shelf, or use the bottom shelf or two in an existing bookcase. Or you can just get large basket to put books in. Here are some more ideas for creating your own little library at home.
Involve your child in the creation of the space
If you have more than one child, consider a small library for each of the kids separately, with their own favorite books in it. A great idea is to have the library in the child’s bedroom so they have access during bedtime, timeout, down time, etc.
Allow your child to choose their own reading material. Don’t judge them for what they want to read. There will be many items that children are forced to read in life, but the library at home is all about what they want to read.
You can source books for their library in many ways:
Public Library, costs = free
Little Free Libraries, cost = free
Thrift stores, cost = low
Book store, cost is higher but selection is greatest
You may not find every book you might want at the low cost places but the important thing is that the child picks the books. If they pick the book they are more likely to like the book and they will be more invested in reading it.
For birthdays and holidays, if you can afford it, include a trip to the bookstore to pick out one or two new books. Trips to the bookstore will soon become one of their favorite things to do.
Set aside quiet/read time in daily routine. Before bedtime is a great time to schedule reading because it gets kids off their devices. For older kids, consider a small reading lamp as a gift. This will make it easier for them to read before falling asleep.
I would not recommend electronic devices for reading, especially for your kids. Most kids already spend too much time in front of screens on a daily basis. And it’s especially important to avoid screens at bedtime, so reading can be a great way to transition off of the screens at the end of the day.
What suggestions do you have for encouraging your kids to read more? Please share in the comments below!
