Helping children read more!

We spend the first few years of our life learning how to read, but then around third grade, we transition to reading to learn. Books offer information, creativity, fantasy, transformation, and so much more. Some children naturally develop a love for reading books. But for those who don’t, here are some ways to build their appreciation for books.

1) Let the child pick what he or she wants to read as much as possible. This allows the child to decide what is of interest. All reading is good, whether a picture book, graphic novel, or chapter books.

2) Build your child’s vocabulary through exposure to words. The more words your child knows, the more ease he or she will have encountering those words when reading books

3) Read aloud to and with children. For younger children, read aloud to them. As the child’s reading skills develop, begin to alternate reading aloud with them. You read 3 sentences then they read 3 sentences, eventually building to a paragraph each. It is also helpful to discuss what is being read as you go along by discussing what the child thinks of the characters, what seems to be happening, and what the child thinks might happen next.

4) Connect what is read to what happens in everyday life. Whether it’s the weather, the age of the characters, or the places described in the book, there are a number of ways to relate what happens in the book to real life. This will allow what is being read to be easier to connect to.

5) Audio books can be a way to spark a child’s interest in books. It offers a different format – auditory instead of visual – and can encourage reluctant readers to engage with books.

6) Read books that have been made into movies. Encouraging the child to read the book first, then watching the movie can be a motivator to read the book. Once the child has seen the movie, ask questions to engage the child. Did the movie match what the child imagined while reading the book? How similar was the book to the movie? Which did the child like better, the book or the movie?

Instilling a love for reading early in a child’s life can be a lifelong gift. Happy reading!