15 Effective Ways to Encourage Reading in Boys and Girls

Encouraging reading in children is an important task to help them develop cognitive and emotional skills essential for their growth and learning. 

Why is it important to encourage reading in children?

Encouraging the habit of reading from an early age is essential for children’s development, as it allows for learning, discovery, cognitive and emotional development. In addition, it is an experience that can create a space to share with the family or in the classroom, thus inviting dialogue and debate.  

Reading transmits culture, science and literature, and also encourages creativity. It is an interactive process between the text and the reader , which generates emotions. It also helps with comprehension, improving writing and even expressing oneself. 

Suggestions to encourage reading in children:

1. Start early:

It is important to start reading aloud to children from the time they are babies. This way, children associate reading with a positive experience and can begin to develop comprehension skills .

2. Create a cozy atmosphere:

Create a cozy and comfortable reading environment in your home. Make sure you have a quiet, well-lit place to read and have a variety of engaging books within reach.

3. Let the children choose their own books:

Let children choose the books they want to read. This will give them a sense of autonomy and help develop their interest in reading.

4. Make reading a daily habit:

Establish a daily time for reading. Include reading as part of your daily routine, such as before bed or after dinner.

5. Read aloud:

Read aloud to children, even when they can read on their own. This will help develop their comprehension and enjoyment of reading .

6. Make reading interactive:

You should make reading interactive and fun. Ask questions about what they are reading and encourage discussion.

7. Attend libraries and book fairs:

Visit libraries and book fairs with your children so they can see the wide variety of books available and choose the ones they like best.

8. Be a role model:

Children learn best through example. Therefore, it is important for parents to also engage in reading so that children can see it as an important and fun activity.

9. Make reading fun:

Make reading fun and exciting for kids. Use different voices for characters and add sound effects. You can also use puppets or marionettes to make stories come to life. ( Read also: Educational Books for Preschoolers )

10. Make reading relevant:

Find books that are relevant to your child’s interests. If they like sports, for example, find books about sports so they can learn more about their favorite activity.

11. Create a family reading club:

Create a family book club where everyone can read the same book and then discuss it. This will help children develop analytical skills and discuss their ideas.

12. Use technology:

Use technology to encourage reading in children. There are many apps and programs that can make reading more interactive and engaging.

13. Make reading a social experience:

Make reading a social experience for children. Organize reading groups with other children and parents and encourage discussion and exchange of ideas.

14. Celebrate reading achievements:

Celebrate children’s reading accomplishments and make them feel proud of their achievements. You can have a reward system or simply have a celebration when a child completes a book.

15. Encourage reading in other languages:

If your home speaks more than one language, it is important to encourage reading in all languages . This will help children develop language skills and better understand other cultures.

Encouraging reading in children can be a fun and exciting process for the whole family. By following these tips, you can help your children develop a love of reading and prepare them for a future of learning and growth.

References:

“Promoting reading habits and creating literate environments” byUNESCO

“Reading aloud to children: the evidence” from the American Academy of Pediatrics

“Reading motivation: a neglected aspect of reading research” by Wigfield, Guthrie, and Perencevich

“The effects of a summer reading intervention on reading outcomes for struggling readers” by Kim, Langenfeld, and Darolia

“Fostering a love of reading” by Scholastic