In these days of videogames, streaming services and loads of screens filling houses and our pockets it can be super hard to get your kids to read. This quick blog will give you 5 top tips to help get your kiddies reading. Remember, the more kids are reading, the better they achieve in school.
Read about something they are interested in
This one might seem obvious, but find books that your kids will actually be interested in! Whether you have a lass who loves reading or a lad who’s well into Greek Myths, there are plenty of books that could grab your little one’s interest.
Getting your kids to enjoy reading isn’t just about getting storybooks in their hands. They may like fiction books, but it is also just as likely and just as helpful to them to get into reading non-fiction. Books like the Horrible Histories collection really bring non-fiction books to life. I’ve even known kids that enjoy just reading about words themselves!
Join the library
There may be fewer of them around these days, but libraries are still a brilliant resource. Get your kids in there, explore the aisles. Show them the fun of picking books to read. It’s completely free. What they don’t have on their shelves they can generally order in. And there are always people working for them who love books and can help your kids build a love of reading when maybe you don’t yourself.
Not only can you get the kids loads of great books, you can also pick up movies and video games too. It’s only a smart move to sign up.
Make books and reading part of your family
Treat books in your house with pride. This naturally creates the impression to your kids that they are important. Have a collection of books on a shelf in sight of the kids. Even if they are library books and regularly replaced, in fact, having new books on there regularly might be even better!
Let the kids be around books often. And make sure the books are in easy reaching distance for the kids themselves. Even if they pick up a book and are dipping in and out of it rather than reading the book from cover to cover it is better than doing no reading at all.
Reading is Reading
Reading isn’t just books. Newspapers, magazines, graphic novels and comics – even letters coming through the door. Encouraging your kids to read even snippets of text is great. It means you get them doing plenty of reading and understanding how different types of text work too.
Doing varied reading is really important for your kids’ future. It will help them cope with school, and help them to be safer on the internet too.
Make Reading comfy and fun!
You know how we have a tendency to snuggle up to watch a family movie? Maybe with some snacks like popcorn? Reading can have that same comfort.
Save your kids’ snacks, whatever they may be, for reading time. Again, they will learn the pleasurable association of reading and being treated. And it is great to sit with a book, a packet of biscuits and a nice drink on a comfy chair. This is a Pinterest of lots of cozy reading corner ideas!
Create a spot where your child can go to delve into their book. Make sure you can fit in there too! That way you can munch on biccies while they read to you!
We deal with loads of kids all of the time when we run children and family photoshoots and they can be such a pleasure to work with. And I love seeing when a child arrives for their photoshoot with a book to read in between snaps while family members are getting in front of the camera. Whether you child is an avid reader or not, if you’re interested in bringing them for a photoshoot to capture them get in touch!