5 tips to foster the love of reading this fall

Reading is a gift – it takes you on a journey, opens your eyes, raises questions and exposes you to new thoughts and ideas. With the following five tips, you can make sure your child will read more and have fun while doing it:

1. Designate reading time

Setting daily reading time with your child is an effective way to motivate him or her to read more. Whether it is during breakfast, after school or before bedtime, a set time of day infuses routine and stability, giving your child something to look forward to.

2. Learn a new word a day

Pick out a word in an encyclopedia, or have your child flip to a random page and select a word with his or her finger, then study it and learn the spelling and meaning behind the word. If you would like to go even further, you can encourage your child to use that word in a sentence the following day to help with memory retention.

3. Learn through listening

Audio books, learning songs and trivia challenges help build comprehension skills and vocabulary.

4. Keep a journal

A journal is a great way to bolster your child’s creativity and enhance reading and writing skills. To add another layer of learning, encourage kids to use some of the new words they have been learning to further enhance their vocabulary. A short daily journal entry will help keep their skills sharp.

5. Start a Book Club

Organize a book club amongst your children’s friends. Host a get-together once a month, where they can discuss the latest book they are reading. Make it fun by serving some snacks and drinks (you can even theme them around the story). These tips will help ensure reading is an enjoyable experience that you and your child will relish. By making reading fun, you will ensure that your child enhances his or her skills and it will be a memorable experience that you can share together for years to come.