How to raise a reader
The benefits of reading are wide and well known. natarsha brown shares six simple steps to foster a love of books in your little one, and inspire them to dream big for the rest of their lives.
Lead by example
It’s simple – if you want to raise a reader, be a reader yourself.
Young ones are like sponges; they model their behaviour on those around them. Even if you are not a bookworm, pick up a cookbook, magazine, photobook or whatever else tickles your fancy – the focus shouldn’t be the material but the joy of learning more about the world around you, in whatever capacity.
Fill with your tales home
Research shows that the strongest predictor of a child’s reading is the volume of books in the home. Keep a basket full of stories any place kids might get bored, such as in the car or bathroom. This encourages reading during the day, allowing them to dissociate books with bedtime, and view it as a fun anytime activity. On a budget? Host ‘book swaps’ with friends and family to help mix it up.
Keep it positive
Parents often worry that their kids aren’t learning to read quickly enough. Of course, if a child is truly struggling, early intervention is key. However, it’s crucial that reading doesn’t have ‘winners and losers’ and that it’s not seen as a chore (with worksheets, timed sessions and the like). Connecting with books should be fun and full of adventure – a hobby for them, not for school.
the Reading reward =
On this note, you need to make reading the ‘dessert’ and not the ‘vegetables’. In other words, make reading the reward. For example, if kids want to stay up later for one more story, make it a reward for having completed their chores that day or only if they ask politely. If you have a doctor’s or dentist's appointment they are grumpy about, promise them a trip to the bookstore afterwards.
Enjoy the moment
Reading increases your ability to emphasise, builds vocabulary, reduces stress, aids sleep, and inspires creativity and curiosity. Yet, when you curl up with your little one and a copy of Where The Wild Things Are, educational and health benefits should not be front of mind. There’s a comfort and closeness that comes from reading together – so just enjoy the moment!
what Let them they choose love
Try not to focus on whether the pages your child is consuming are 'challenging enough', and don’t try to push classics or your tastes on to them. They will love what they love and you should embrace this – whether this is rereading their favourite story over and over again (which is great for literacy skills anyway) or taking the time to figure out what their individual interests are.