The impact that reading has on early childhood development can’t be overstated. It sparks children’s imaginations, improves spelling skills, and expands their vocabulary. However, not every child loves the act of reading, and that can inhibit their development. If your child isn’t an avid reader, you can help boost their enthusiasm with these helpful tips.

How Can I Get My Children to Read More?

1. Make It a Social Activity

Reading with your children turns the activity from a boring chore to fun social time with the family. Take turns reading aloud and incorporate funny voices and sound effects to make it more interactive and fun for them. Plus, you can help sound out words they don’t know, so they won’t be as intimidated by the task.

2. Incorporate Technology

Technology is a great tool to bolster early childhood development in a variety of ways, and reading is no exception. Since young children grow up surrounded by technology, using a computer, smartphone app, or e-reader can make the activity much more approachable.

Some of these devices also have special software that helps children sound out a word they’re not familiar with. That will bolster their confidence and keep them invested in the story they’re reading.

3. Give Them Options

Rather than assigning your children books to read, let them make their own choices. Many children are more likely to actively participate if they feel like they have more control over what they are reading.

Either take the children to a bookstore or browse an online collection together and let them find a story that excites them. That way they’ll be more excited to start reading because it’s something they’re interested in.

4. Create a Reading Area

Making a particular area of the house into a dedicated reading area makes the activity feel more fun and special.

Fill this intentional learning space with fun and useful things like a bean bag chair, blankets, bookmarks, highlighter tape, pencils, quirky lamps, and plenty of books for the children to choose from. This makes the experience more interactional, which helps them avoid outside distractions.

5. Demonstrate Its Usefulness

Reading is crucial to surviving in normal life, and you can spark your children’s interest in participating by educating them on how beneficial it is.

When you’re out with them, have them read road signs, restaurant menus, and promotional business displays. This helps them make real-life connections to the benefits of reading and bolsters their sense of independence.

 

If you’d like more help with the early childhood development of your kids, then contact the experts at Lucky Lane Nursery School. As one of the area’s premier learning centers in the greater St. Louis, MO, area for the past 65 years, their instructors specialize in building your children’s confidence in the physical and mental skills they’ll need to succeed later in life. Visit them online for more information, or call (314) 434-4462 to discuss enrollment options.