How to Get Your Kids to Read More
With many children being out of school right now, it can be difficult to keep them occupied and engaged in their education. Reading, even if it isn’t educational material, is a great way to keep your children’s minds engaged and learning. However, it can be difficult to get your children to read. The Ardmore Toyota team is sharing our biggest tips for helping your children read more.
Let them choose the books
It will be easier to get your children to read if the topics of the books interest them. When your kid shows interest in a topic, find an age-appropriate book about that topic to help them learn more and engage with things that pique their interest. They will be more likely to pick up a book without being told or forced if the book tells them more about their favorite animal, country, culture, or subjects.
Take them to the bookstore or library
Cultivating a love for books also means cultivating a love for where they come from. Many passionate readers enjoy spending time in bookstores and libraries. They might visit just to read, or to investigate new topics. It’s a great way for your kids to connect with other children and many bookstores and libraries have events that cater to children. While this may not be an option right now due to safety concerns, once life returns to normal, it will be something your child can look forward to.
E-books
A safe alternative now is e-books. E-books limit the time you must spend around others and the likelihood of coming in contact with germs on physical books. Many libraries offer free e-books that can be borrowed the same way any library lends out physical materials. Simply download the app and help them select the right books for their age. Overdrive is a company that works with many libraries to help connect libraries with digital downloads for patrons. Kindle, Nook, and several other e-reader options make it easy to put e-books in your children’s hands. Companies even make child-friendly devices that can stand up to the messy and clumsy lives of children.
Reward them for reading
Some children need more encouragement than simply letting them choose the books they read. For children who need an extra push, offer them a reward for reading. For example, for every ten pages they read, they can stay up 10 minutes past their bedtime, or they can spend an extra ten minutes watching television. Choose a reward that’s something they always want and change it up often so that the reward always seems special. Keep rewards small and over time reduce them. Eventually, your child may find joy in reading without needing a reward to do it.
Make it a family thing
You can use reading as a time to disconnect from technology and spend time together. Choose a book for yourself and set aside time each day or each week to read with your children. Expect their attention to wander but set a good example by reading your own book. When children have questions about a new word or a subject they might not understand, you’ll be there to help them.
Read out loud
For children who struggle to read, or even have a speech impediment, reading out loud can help them learn. Reading aloud lets your children connect the words on the page with normal speech and helps them visualize the words they hear every day. Start by reading to them, and then slowly asking them to read to you. As their skills and confidence increase, you might notice that they express a desire to read more.
Getting your children to read more can be incredibly difficult but by encouraging them and helping them, you can cultivate their love for books and reading. This can be helpful in their schoolwork, as well as keeping them occupied in a constructive way. If you need to keep your children occupied in the car, the models in the Ardmore Toyota showroom are packed with features to keep your kids entertained, even on the longest road trips. Contact us online to find the best models for your family.