There is no magic potion that will help your kids to love Reading. Parents usually buy board books for their babies in the hope that kids will love reading. And yet, by middle school, most kids stop reading books that aren’t assigned in school.

What actually happens? The main reason is that the habit of reading never really gets ingrained in childhood. Our kids love leafing through books as toddlers, looking at the pictures. They may even enjoy reading as preschoolers. But reading is hard work, and now these kids have so many other ways to entertain themselves that ‘reading’ becomes a tedious task.They never really get to experience the amazing feeling of being transported to a totally different world while reading a book.

Here’s how you can help your kids reach that ‘happy reading place’:

1. Read to them

Not just at bedtime. Make reading time a special bonding time. Buy board books and cloth books as some of your child’s first toys. Carry them around with snacks in the diaper bag. Create a ritual  in which you both associate love and cuddling with reading.

2. Begin visiting the library / nearest book store regularly

Yes! By the time your child is two and she may well prefer reading to any other activity. Use the time in the library to read to your child as well as to select books. How about taking them to age appropriate storytelling events happening in your city. Click to find out the upcoming storytelling events in Hyderabad. Click to learn more about the KidEngage library service.

3. Zero in on the child’s interests.

Before you do anything, take a step back and examine what interests, excites or intrigues your child. Knowing what interests him can help you pinpoint what types of books he may enjoy reading. Invest only on those. 

4. Don’t stop reading to him once he learns to read.

Read to them every step of the way, for as long as they’ll let you. Continuing to read to him will keep him interested as his skills develop. And it gives you opportunities for conversations about values and choices. Get them hooked onto a series like Harry Potter and watch them flaunt their love of reading to their friends. Click here to visit the KidEngage book store.

5.Creativity

Reading a book doesn’t have to be where the story ends. Kids can have fun creatively expressing what they’ve read. Fun games using colouring, puppets and courful crafts based on the story they  read can go a long way for them to learn comprehension and make the whole ritual of reading so exciting.

Still thinking how reading helps your child? Find out  how Science Proves Reading To Kids Really Does Change Their Brains

Children just need some motivation in the right direction. A small nudge is all the need.  Read how This 9-year old girl started a library in her slum to educate other slum children.

Here’s proof on how the bedtime reading ritual really pays off. Here’s how you can do it better plus other good parenting advice from a speech therapist. Improve Your Child’s Vocabulary by Simply Reading and Talking to Him

Watch how reading more books is actually helpful for the child.

Catch the weekly book reviews and book recommendations here on the KidEngage Blog!