Reading is a crucial part of early child development. It’s an excellent way to expand children’s imagination, develop their empathy skills, and prepare them for preschool. Unfortunately, not every child loves reading, but luckily there are some helpful tips that will turn it into one of the most fun children’s activities.

How to Make Reading Fun for Your Kids

1. Keep It Entertaining

Books with funny pictures and whimsical storylines can entice your child’s curiosity, making them crave more books. Read out loud to them in funny voices or by play dress-up to mimic the story. This will get your child more involved and entertained, which fosters interest in reading.

2. Make It Part of Everyone’s Schedule

Whether it’s early in the morning or right before bed, reading with your children is a great way to get them excited. However, it’s also important to make it part of the family’s regular schedule. This turns reading sessions into recurring social interactions that your little ones will look forward to.

3. Use the “Five-Finger Test”

One reason children give up on tasks that promote early child development is because they think it’s too difficult and get discouraged. The “Five-Finger Test” helps avoid that problem.

Have your child start reading a book, and if they come across five words on one page that they don’t know, replace it with an easier read. When they read more books, revisit the difficult ones to help them expand their vocabulary. 

4. Incorporate Characters Into Daily Life

Keeping your children’s favorite book characters alive in day-to-day activities makes reading more fun, even when not actively doing it. Asking for an update on the characters’ lives, inquiring how a certain fictional character might handle a real-life situation, and taking them to events and parks where the characters are present makes the stories feel more real and interactive.

5. Embrace Technology

New technology doesn’t have to compete with reading. There are numerous online libraries and interactive e-books that make the activity more fun and rewarding. It’s also helpful to use the audio function for beginner readers because they can follow along while being read to whenever they’d like while still maintaining a sense of independence over the task.

 

 

For more help promoting reading with your children, consider child care services with the experts at Plainville Early Learning Center in Hartford County, CT. As an early child development center for the past 50 years, their highly trained team has the experience and training needed to help your children grow their emotional, social, and cognitive skills. Set your children up for success by asking about enrollment at (860) 747-3321 or learn more about their services online.