The sight of a child sat in the corner reading a book has always conjured up images of intellectuals and children who have limited friends. As such, many parents actively encourage their child to play instead of having their head in a book.
However, reading is an important part of life. Every reputable childcare center, such as this Liverpool childcare center, will focus on getting your child to read. It’s the best way to learn about life, the planet, and even to build patience, as well as listening skills. Reading also encourages children to use their imaginations.
Unfortunately, even if you actively promote reading, some children simply hate it. The good news is that you can do something about it. With a few simple steps, you can get your child to enjoy, or even love reading.
Read Together
The best starting point is to read together. That means you read to them when they are very young and continue the habit. When your child is able you can get them to pick the book you read and then take it in turns reading lines.
But, don’t just read. Show your child books can be fun by adopting different voices for different characters and encourage them to do the same.
Visualize the End
As soon as you’ve read a page of a book you’ll be able to guess where the book is going. It’s a good idea never to finish a book in one go. Instead, read a little and then chatwith your child regarding where the story is going. Let them come up with some mad ideas and encourage them!
It builds their imaginative skills and will help reading to be fun, which will make your child more interested in it.
Use Pictures & Tracking
When you read to a child or with them you need to keep the book in front of them at all times. You should point at the pictures to emphasize the story and get your child to track the words as you say them.
Don’t forget, deliberately messing up will make them laugh while testing if they are paying attention.
Act It Out
If you want to take it up a notch then consider acting out your child’s favorite scene from the book. Get dressed up, practice the lines, and even build on them with your own words. While you’re not reading you’re encouraging your child to see reading as fun. That’s important if you want them to keep doing it.
Read Yourself
They say you should lead by example and this is true when it comes to reading. Make sure your child knows that you read your own books, let them see you reading, and keep various books lying around your house.
The more they are around books the more comfortable they will be picking one up.
Speak To Their Teacher
It’s always a good idea to chat with their teacher to find out how they are doing in the classroom and whether they have any tips that can help at home.
It can be beneficial to your child and ensures you’re both on the same page!