Reading is an addictive habit. For a person, who loves reading, every new book will be a treasure they have to hunt. People inculcate the habit of reading from their childhood, and it stays with them till the day they die. Reading should be promoted among children from a young age because at a young age it is easier to shape a child in the form you want. If a parent wants their child to become wiser and intelligent when they grow up then reading is the most helpful activity. When kids are young, they cannot read on their own, and the parents have to read for them. If the parents do not read then the child will never develop a liking for it. Read to your child every day, and the child will eventually develop a habit of reading.
There are extensive benefits of reading which will aid a child’s development. When a parent reads to the child, it strengthens the bond between them. The child and the parent spend a lot of time with each other while reading. “The bonding experience is unbeatable,” says Patricia Cowan, national program coordinator for Reach Out and Read. When the parents read to the children, they get full attention. Children love when they are given full attention.
Reading is also another great way to teach the children about speeches and rhythms. It is important for their language development. The children will be able to speak and understand more words if frequently read for a long time as compared to those kids who are not read to. Teaching your child to read at an early stage may fetch long-term advantages. The child may possess better language skills, both verbal as well as written and it will make them eager to learn how to read. Studies have shown that reading causes brain stimulation which can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Reading keeps the brain active and engaged, and the brain is prevented from losing its power. Your children will have better problem-solving skills, and they will do well in their exams. Reading also helps in reducing stress. Books are the biggest source of knowledge, and when kids read different books every day, they gather some information from them. Gradually, they will have a deep pool of knowledge. The kids will benefit in various ways through the habit of reading. So how should you be encouraging your child to read? How to read to your child?
#1. Create A Perfect Environment For Reading
There shall not be any distraction when you are reading to your child. When you read, your child should be attentive. They should listen to you carefully when you read otherwise there will be no benefit of reading to them. Kids lose attention very quickly as their span of attention is short. Any distraction around you like television or toys around them distract them, and they will not be able to concentrate on the reading. The purpose of reading is not only to read but to understand comprehensively. Switch off your mobile phone. Just keep it away from you when you read to your child because if you do not pay attention, then your child won’t too. The child may get angry at you for attending to calls and messages and not focusing on the child.
#2. Make Your Child Sit Comfortably
When you have found the right environment where there are no distractions, make sure that you have seated the child properly. Sit side by side with the child so that you both can clearly view the book. The child will understand better when they can see the pictures and the content. You have to teach your child to read.Without having a good look at the words, the child will not understand a thing. So, make sure that you sit with the children in a manner that everyone gets to see the book. Do not sit on the bed to read because that would make the children sleepy. Have enough light in the room so that the atmosphere is bright.
#3. Let Your Child Choose A Book
It is suggested that the parents should allow their children to pick a book. When you give the responsibility to the child to pick a book for the reading, then the child will be able to listen to you more carefully as the book is of their choice. The child will also feel important because they were allowed to choose a book. The child will try to escape the reading session, but if you give them options, then they will participate with their consent. The child will also learn different genres when you provide them with a choice. They will be able to make up their mind on what is their favorite book and what kind of stories they like.
#4. Read With Voice Modulation
The child should find interest in reading and if you read with proper voice modulation and pauses then the child will become keen to get a reading session done every day with you. Whenever you read keep in mind the kind of content, you are reading and speak according to the plotline. If the story is getting scary, then speak in a slow and heavy voice or if the story is getting aggressive then speak the dialogues aggressively. The way you speak will make a better impact on the child’s mind. Take pauses when necessary, raise your voice or slow it down according to the story.
#5. Encourage Interaction
So now that you have started reading to your child, it is important that you interact with them. Talk to them about what they think about the story. Know their opinion and teach them a lesson through the story. Let your child make opinions and make sure that they learn good values. Ask them what they did not or did like about the story. Question them about if they had a chance to change something then what would they change. Talk to the child about the characters and how should have a bad character behaved.
#6. Take Short Breaks
If a story is long, then you should take breaks. The child may feel lethargic or lose interest if you make them sit in one place for too long. In this situation, one should take breaks in between. Do not leave the place as your child will leave along with you. You could just talk to them about the book or something related to reading. Make the whole session a fun session.The child should enjoy the time, and if they have a sibling or a friend along then, they will learn and enjoy much more.
#7. Ask Them To Repeat The Story
After the reading is over and you have taught them enough for the day you should evaluate what they have learned. Ask them to read a little for you. Solve their queries and make them repeat what they have learned. You can also ask them to create a similar story which will enhance their creativity. The child will become creative as they will practice reading and creating their own stories. Reading will prove to be the best activity for kids, and soon they will start reading on their own. Keep bringing new books so that it creates interest in them to read more.
Have you taught your child to read? How was your experience? Do you know how to read to your child? Let us know your views and experiences through the comments section below.
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