Reading is an essential skill for early education. If your child truly loves flipping through their favorite books, they’re going to be more likely to pick up early reading skills and continue honing those skills throughout the rest of their life. If you’re wondering how you can get them interested in reading early on, here are five tips.

5 Ways to Help Your Child Love Reading

1. Create a Storytime Routine

Reading should be just as much of a routine for your child as brushing their teeth or eating dinner. Keep it consistent right from the very beginning, whether you choose to do some reading after dinner or right before bed.

2. Take Them to the Library

Your local library is a valuable early education resource. Not only do they have a wealth of books available; most also offer readings of children’s books and other family-friendly events. Take your child there regularly and get them excited about picking out new books or hearing new stories.

3. Lead by Example

If you want your kids to eventually read on their own, show them what that looks like. This isn’t a substitute for family storytime, but by reading your own books, you’re also showing them that reading can be fun at any age.

4. Get Creative

Family storytime doesn’t just have to be about reading comprehension. Get them excited about the characters and storylines in each book by trying out some funny voices, acting out certain parts of the story, or even integrating some costumes. Get the whole family involved for a truly immersive experience.

5. Let Them Guide You

Your child will be more likely to enjoy the process of reading if they get to choose their favorite books or authors. Keep plenty of books around your home to give them options, but let them make most storytime decisions, with some polite guidance from you on occasion.

If you take early education seriously for your child, then a quality preschool is also important. Big Blue Bird Early Childhood Center in Lexington, KY has been serving local families for more than 40 years. The licensed child care providers offers a variety of programs to fit the needs of busy families, from infant day care to preschool to before and after-school programs for kids up to 10 years of age. The facility has a low child-to-teacher ratio so your child will get personal attention from early education professionals. Take a virtual tour online or call (859) 299-9277 to schedule an in-person visit.