A Guide: How to Encourage Young Kids to Love Reading

by Oye Akintan on March 09, 2022

Frederick Douglass once said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Although many people associate this quote with education, you can also infer that reading can open the whole world to you. You can travel to faraway places (even to other planets) without stepping out of your room.

If reading broadened your horizons, you should also present this opportunity to your children, but this is easier said than done. You have to compete with the newest gadget and trendiest social media platform. In this case, why don’t you introduce a book reading app to your kids?

The book reading app is not the only trick to encourage your children to read. Here are some of them:

Read Aloud to Them

A renowned child psychologist that doing this is the best way to foster your children to love books. Experts add that you should make reading a social activity. Doing this will help strengthen existing relationships and build new connections. 

You do not have to carry a doctorate in literature to carry out this activity. As long as you can enunciate clearly and make it sound fun, kids will want to listen. In addition, relatable stories with clear and vivid details are perfect.

It would be best if you took turns reading. It would be best to schedule who will share their favorite story. You can think of it as a family book club.

Also, reading aloud to your children can help them learn how to read. It is because the act of reading out loud is quite different from the reading in your head. As the parent, you can also provide feedback and suggestions to your children on what they need to do to improve their reading. 

If one of your young audience finds a particular story interesting, you can help him find the tale in his book reading app. By doing this, he can practice reading by himself. 

Talk about Books

As mentioned earlier, you can create a family book club. In this intimate get-together, you do not only share stories by reading them aloud and downloading the tale in the book reading app. It would be best to discuss the books or stories you read.

Have an open discussion about the book (or story). You can ask your kids what part of the tale caught their attention. Here are other questions that can encourage conversation:

  • Why did you like this book?
  • Will you recommend it to your friends? Why or why not?
  • What part of the story caught your attention?
  • How did the story make you feel?
  • Who was your favorite character? Why?
  • Was there a feeling or lesson you learned from the story?
  • Would you like to see your favorite character in another story?
  • Do you have a suggestion on how the author can improve the story?
  • How much of the tale do you think was true?

Model Reading

Many child psychologists agree that you foster the love of reading in your kids if they see you read stories for pleasure. With that said, you should take time to relax and open a book from your favorite author.

Conclusion 

Reading stories is indeed one of the best ways to bond with your kids. It is an excellent way to make reading an enjoyable activity for them. You can use reading as a leisure activity that the entire family can enjoy.

Of course, you can foster their love of reading by downloading a book reading app. At Kids Plenty, we are an advocate for education, so we encourage teaching children to read as much as they can. Browse through our website now, so that you can see the various tips on how to inspire the young ones to read. 

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