Reading is a crucial part of child development and has numerous benefits from increasing vocabulary to better test scores in all subjects. Raising a child who loves to read can be a daunting task in a world of new media, but instilling a love of reading in children while they’re young will pay off immensely in the future. Here are some tips on how to raise a child who loves to read. 

4 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Read More

1. Be a Role Model

Children soak up what their parents do like a sponge. If your child sees you reading often, they will want to imitate your behavior and ask you to read to them or read on their own. Talk to your kids about your favorite books and why you love to read, and they’ll be even more excited about it. 

2. Read to Your Child Often

Even if your child is old enough to read by themself, storytime with mom or dad is an essential part of child development. They will likely look forward to the event and will associate this love and excitement with reading itself. Begin reading to your kids as early and often as possible to make it a habit. 

3. Visit the Library

Libraries hold many wonderful events focused on child development, and odds are you’ll find at least one or two that your child loves attending. Finding and checking out new books from the library is a fun way to get your child involved with the reading process while introducing plenty of new stories. Rely on your librarian as well—they’ll recommend the best books for your child based on their age and interests. 

4. Don’t Force Reading

It may be frustrating to see your child dismiss books altogether, but forcing them to read changes it from a fun activity to a chore. Be patient and continue to encourage them, but never use reading as a punishment or time-out activity, as this will associate negative feelings with reading. Your child is likely going through a phase and will one day come back to reading for fun.

When your children are ready for preschool, consider sending them to Great Beginnings in St. Charles and Cottleville, MO. These early childhood centers focus on child development and education. They are staffed with child development experts to cater to all developmental needs. They offer many programs for children from infancy through age 12, including before and after school care and summer programs. Learn more about what they offer online. You can also call (636) 724-5048 for their St. Charles location, or (636) 447-4212 for their Cottleville location.