We all want to instil a love of reading in our children, and what better way to start than with a fresh new year!
Reading offers a wealth of benefits for young children – it grows their vocabulary, builds their comprehension skills, expands their knowledge and understanding of the world, and gives them a better chance at succeeding in school. And it’s no secret – the more you read, the better you become at it.
Here are ten simple and achievable ways to get your children reading more books this year.
1. Create a reading nook at home – set up a special place completely dedicated to reading. It can be as simple as installing a few cosy pillows, a nightlight, and a few sturdy bookshelves.
2. Make time – Avoid overscheduling your child’s calendar with extra activities this year. You want to ensure they have enough time to sift through their bookshelves and regularly enjoy a long, leisurely read.
3. Make bedtime reading a part of your daily routine – Reading together is a powerful way to bond and encourage your child to adopt a positive attitude towards books and reading. Set aside some time each evening to enjoy a bedtime story and take turns reading to each other.
4. Visit the library or download a children’s books app – Make regular trips to the library or download a books app to give your kids a library of book titles at the swipe of their fingertips. Reading Eggs includes over 2000 online books for kids, many with read aloud options.
5. Make a family book tree – Sharing a joint family reading goal is a great way to encourage everyone at home to read. Cut out the shape of a tree from large construction paper and include a few branches. Throughout the year, each family member can add a leaf for every book read, until all the branches are full.
6. Explore new books genres together – Mix things up by delving into genres you haven’t tried before, like science-fiction, mystery, non-fiction, biographies, historical fiction, and poetry.
7. Stay open-minded about your book choices – Be flexible with what you allow your children to read. Comic books, joke books and magazines can be a great way to encourage reluctant readers, and offer their own unique benefits.
8. Watch more movies based on books – Studies show that movie releases spur many children to read the book version first. Reading a story before watching it on the big screen is a feat many children love to achieve, and it gives them a lot to talk about with their friends.
9. Talk about books at home and become a reading role model – Make books a part of your daily conversation. Talk about different characters, connections to real life, predictions you make, and what you want to read next. Let your kids see you reading and enjoying books in your spare time.
10. Leave a range of reading material around the house – Dr Seuss sums this up perfectly: “Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and all the nooks!”
Reading Eggs is the multi-award winning online reading program that makes learning to read fun. With over 2000 online books for kids, hundreds of guided reading lessons, fun games, lovable characters, and exciting rewards, start your child’s reading journey with a free trial today!