9 everyday ways to raise a child with good reading habits
Raising children who love reading is super important to me because I wasn’t read to at home growing up. Also unfortuantely for me and I’m sure many other pupils in my high school, only the top sets in English had the chance to study English literature.
I know right? Talk about failing children to learn and thrive. Thank goodness these days many schools introduce such literature as Shakespeare right from key stage 1. And why not? All learning can be planned and finely tuned into all levels and stages of development.
There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
Unfortunately, I just presumed that I wasn’t worthy of picking up a good book. And that reading was something for the chosen ones. Therefore, sadly I didn’t develop any good reading habits.
I eventually did lots of practical reading especially for my later studies at college and University. However, it wasn’t until I began reading Alice Walker books and Maya Angelou’s poetry I found the inspiration I needed. This was the moment I developed a more meaningful relationship with reading on a deeper emotional level.
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”— Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”
I’m proud to say I must have done something right as my eldest daughter Kia studies A level English Literature.
My 8 year old son Cuba has always been a top reader at school and my 4yr old daughter Coco has a passion for books and has already been reading and recognising letters and words.
I have always wanted my kids love of books and reading to be as organic as possible and the most natural thing for them to do .
I have always followed these 9 everyday things to encourage my kids to develop good reading habits.
9 everyday ways to raise a child with good reading habits
- 🌈 Read to your child from the earliest age, research shows that reading to children and discussing the book as you read is the single best way to increase your child’s IQ.
2. 🌈 I’ve always had books and other reading materials all around the house and in designated book areas, where the kids enjoy sharing a story time with me or solitary for a bit of quiet time to themselves.
3. 🌈 To help keep the kids enthusiasm fresh and to maintain a level of intrigue for their personal book collection, it’s a good idea to rotate the kids books around from time to time.
Just make sure you don’t rotate the books around too quickly. Ensure they have enough time to become familiar with a book for lot’s of opportunity for continuity.
4. 🌈 I always encourage them to choose their books for story time even if deep down inside I’m screaming to myself ‘No please not that bloody Charlie and Lola book again 😆
5. 🌈 I read at different times through the day not just a bedtime, it’s a great opportunity to gain their attention and can take them out of any negative mood or behaviour in an instant.
Carry books around wherever you go.
Bath time is a great opportunity to use waterproof books and props especially for singing and rhyme time.
6. 🌈 It’s a good idea to have age appropriate books that positively challenge their reading skills regarding word and letter recognition.
Of course, all children’s reading capability is unique to the individual child. However, the more time you spend sharing books with your child the more opportunity you will have to observe and assess what level your child is at.
Planning and providing the right level of reading materials for your child is crucial in avoiding setting your child up for failure. Overwhelming a child with inappropriate reading material will negatively impact on your childs self esteem, confidence and enjoyment.
7. 🌈 Frequently discuss the content as you read together and even alternate pages with them where possible.
Coco enjoys reading the last rhyming words out loud.
This has helped to develop her confidence.
Therefore, she will practice reading new words she has started to recognise.
8. 🌈 Keep it fun, act out the story with role play, use visual aids such as finger puppets and story bags.
Play relevant music and rhymes, instruments and read to a beat.
Make connections between the book and real life, for example shopping lists and journals.
Always have pencils and paper available for mark making to extend their creative learning, especially in your book areas.
Go on a scavenger hunt.
Have a themed movie time and watch the book you are currently reading.
9. 🌈 Also, frequent trips to the library, play groups and book stores.
This is a perfect opportunity to be part of a story time session away from home.
And, may also provide more opportunities for you read to your child in many different environments.
They can even discover and select new books or other reading materials of a different genre from their own book collection at home.
These everyday ways to promote good reading habits are easy steps we can all do right now.
I think the main key point is it doesn’t have to be too structured, just easily accessible for kids and of course fun and enjoyable.
I would love to hear your thoughts?
Happy reading,
Sending love,
Dana xx
Your photos are precious and I could not agree more with your premise.
Author
Thank you so much Michele, sending love xx
I’ve done many of these things, but sadly my boys prefer the computer and their games over reading 🙁 #KCACOLS
Author
Ah yes I know that one, my boy is a big gaming/coding child too xx
Great practical tips to encourage reading. My late mum told me if I read books I would be able to handle lonely times in life. Never forgot that and so true in many ways. I am pleased all my children who are now young adults love to read so I must have done something right. #MischiefandMemories
Author
Aw my heart, your late mum sounds like she was a special woman xx
Your kids are so fortunate to have had a reader role model. I hated reading as a child, mostly because my parents made me read. As a teen though, I loved it and continue to do so now. I never particularly liked the classics though, probably because they were introduced to me in a very boring way. Visiting from #Mischiefandmemories
Author
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your story with me. I think my early years education training has definitely helped me have a good start with my children. xx
I think that its important for kids to see us reading for enjoyment as well. Today was super nice out and my daughter and I sat outside on the deck for a while, each lost in our own books. It was lovely #KCACOLS
Author
What a precious moment, such a perfect way to spend time with your daughter, sending love xx
It makes me so sad that you grew up not thinking you were worth y of reading. I was a prolific reader when I was younger simply because my mum was reader, she would read to me, we would read together but most importantly I saw her reading and enjoying it.
Katrina x
#MischiefandMemories
Author
Thank you Katrina, It is sad and i’m sure there’s many children who have experienced the same. One of the reasons I am passionate about children having access to books xx
Great tips for encouraging reading – so important to foster a love of reading 🙂 #KCACOLS
Popping over from #mischiefandmemories too 🙂
Author
Thanks Hannah xx
Author
Thanks Hannah, Absolutely xx
We started reading to ours right from the start – now we have 4 that means 4 bedtime stories every night! #mischiefandmemories
Author
ah no four every night, thats dedication right there!!!!
Reading is such an essential skill. When I was pregnant I read rhyming books to my bump but I am shocked to read statistics that children own so few books. Reading is a privilege and a joy so I aim to encourage my own children to pick up a book rather than look at a screen. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
Author
Reading is a privilege and something all children would have access to xx
Also popping by from #KCACOLS
Katrina x
Author
Thanks Katrina xx
I usually let my boys choose their bedtime story but if we are getting into a reading rut, I will sometimes say to them that they can choose one story and I will choose one story. It helps to keep it fresh and often it just adds another book to the huge list of favourites! #KCACOLS
Author
That’s a great idea xx
Reading has always been something that has been so important for us. As we are getting ready for bed I will always pop a book underneath her pillow for her to go and find, we then read together. Thank you so much for linking up with us for #kcacols and we hope that you will come and join us next time.
These are all such lovely ideas for encouraging children to read. We’ve always had lots of books available for our children and they’ve always enjoyed spending time looking at/reading them. I really miss browsing in our local library with them, and can’t wait until they open up again properly so we can go and borrow some new things to read! x #KCACOLS
Love the tip on popping books around the home to encourage them to pick them up an read. I’m looking forward to the local library opening up again! #KCAKOLS