Reading has become a rare endeavor. Nowadays, kids would rather play video games or spend hours surfing the web on their new tablets rather than relax with a good book in their hands. Like it or not, kids don’t read because this activity is not supported enough by the parents. A lot of these parents don’t pay enough attention to their little ones; they ignore them, or buy them everything they want just to keep them quiet. This approach is not exactly the smartest way of raising a bookworm child. Getting a toddler to read can be challenging, and it is mostly about setting an example.
The More Interested Kids Become in Reading, the Better Readers they Become
There are so many kids out there who fancy reading. They like the activity and they would do it more often. Sadly, some schools don’t act on this; they don’t realize that the more books kids read the better they become at reading. Why would principals and teachers force a child to undergo an activity that the child doesn’t like, such as football or basketball?
One of the easiest ways of getting kids into reading is to offer them books that they can actually enjoy. These should be fun, age-appropriate and interesting. Most kids say “no” to reading because they may not like the genre. As a parent, you should commit to helping your kid find a hobby or a passion; and if that happens to be reading, it’s even better. Freedom of choice is fundamental in getting kids excited and motivated to read books. Comics, vampire sagas, sports books, manga, and others can be excellent choices for your kid.
Use Technology to Make Kids Develop a Passion for Reading
Should parents allow their kids to read books on e-tablets and iPads? Absolutely; in fact, avoiding advanced technology is almost impossible. When they’re little children are curious. They want to touch and try everything. Allowing them to explore a virtual library and start reading an e-book they actually enjoy is an excellent way of developing a passion for reading, or better yet, an interest in a certain genre. Here is a list of tablets that are kid friendly.
Where Should Parents Look for Books that Kids Might Enjoy?
The right books could make your little one crazy about reading. GuysRead.com, ReadKiddoRead.com, and Uplifting Families are great websites you should check out. As for actual bookstores and libraries, you must be both a guide and a role model for your kids to develop a passion for reading. Take them on a shopping spree; buy books for yourself and they will want one for them too.
Parents are not the only role models a kid should have. Brothers, sisters and grandparents can also teach them a lot of interesting things about reading too. By showing that you have respect for books, they will grow up more aware of their importance. Many preschoolers don’t value the books they get in class; and they usually don’t read what their teachers recommend. This happens because schools “force” students to read. When kids are compelled to do something it’s almost impossible for them to feel any joy or pleasure in completely that task.
Fanatic Readers are Made not Born
Do you want your kid to love reading bestselling books? Apart from being extremely educational, this activity can also be fun. But it is important for parents and teachers to instill a passion for reading. First of all, your living room should be properly decorated with age-appropriate books. Add some in your kid’s room too. Every night before bedtime, you could read a short story to your child.
Use tricks to grab their attention. For example you could start with an adventure story; read them half of the story and save the other half for the next day. This will make the kids extremely curious, and they’ll impatiently wait for the next day to come and find how the end of that story.
Finding the right books for kids is now easier than ever. Whether you choose to buy them from a bookstore or download them from the web, it’s all about personal choice and budget. Some kids may find paper books catchier and more interesting whilst others would rather read from a tablet or electronic device. Regardless, make sure that you become a part of the activity. Participate in the reading process and eventually your kids will want to read on their own.
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Comments
24 responses to “How Finding Books for your Kids can Make them Fanatic Readers”
I am so lucky that both of my boys love to read. I hate reading and I was hoping that they wouldn’t pick that up from me.
Finding books the kids love is key to making them life long readers. Reading has to be fun or the kids will run the other way.
If you make reading fun, you can’t go wrong. Kids who read what they love love to read.
My kids also love to read! I started reading to them in utero, and made it a high priority of their day. Now, they are lost in books.
my son enjoys reading especially that his comprehension and his grasp for phonics is getting better. And yes, it has a lot to do with us parents too because we love a good book and shun television
Books are important in my house. My daughter has a library full!
I started reading young and still love it today. It is so good to get kids to start young and hopefully it will stay with them.
I agree it starts at home. My kids have always loved story time because its a nightly occurance unless they get in trouble for some reason. If they do get in trouble and have to go straight to be, the lack of “story” time. Is devestating. I have read so many books to them, that they can recite them back to me and now that I have a first grader, he enjoys reading to his three year old brother. The love of reading has to be “created”, its not born into a person, although we don’t use technology to do most of our reading, we use real books, I see no reason why technology can’t be used to teach the love of reading to a child…I mean it is the wave of the future.
These are wonderful tips. I am so thankful that both my kids loved to read. A trip to the bookstore is must every time we went out when they were growing up.
Everyone in my family loves books. Even my little granddaughters who are so excited whenever they have a book fair at their school.
Reading is so important for kiddos. We love picking out new books whenever we can.
My youngest is a great reader. I love that he loves it and hope he continues to, for life.
If there’s one thing I really don’t have to worry about with my kids it’s reading. They love reading and books. It’s the first thing they ask for if we are out and about.
My kids love reading books! They are only 2 and 4 and they ‘read’ books on their own! We started reading to them when they were babies and I think that had a lot to do with their present passion for books!
what great ideas!!! My daughter is 3 and in the bookworm stage! Really hoping this stage last forever!
I am really looking forward to my two little boys learning to read. I hope they will enjoy reading as much as I had as a child.
My mother really started to push my reading at an early age. She was in college for English / Creative Writing and took art classes when I came along. I am glad she did. I can’t imagine my life without reading good books. I prefer print to electronic. She also gave me her creative gene for writing and being artistic.
This is so true. My oldest son loved reading until I let him get too involved in video games. The love for reading died. Sad momma.
My toddler is really into reading right now! We have a bunch of apps for storytime that he likes to read.
I am so thankful that my kids love to read. They beg to go to the bookstore and library!
This is such a great post! I have always been a huge bookworm and really gravitated towards books at a young age. Getting your kids interested in reading is so beneficial for the rest of their lives. I really believe it fosters a love of learning and a healthy escape.
I love all your tips. Reading is so important for kids to improve their knowledge. I always pick a new book for my kids whenever I can. My girl loves reading and she have a shelf full of some interesting books.
Encouraging kids to read is so important! I loved to read as a kid and I hope to also instill that in my son.
I, too, believe that reading habit should be nurtured since young. I am grateful that both my children loves reading, and library is one of their most-favorite hang out. Reading digital book in tablet is especially useful when you don’t have access to books (or you can’t bring too many books), such as during traveling. Thanks for sharing the kid-friendly websites. I will check them out.