Getting Kids Interested in Reading
Children with learning and/or reading difficulties will benefit greatly from parents or siblings, other family members or even friends reading to them. However, ANY child will benefit from the time spent reading together with their parents. It can also be relaxing for parents too, a special, warm, close time together. Personally, I let my toddler pick 2 fun books a night to read. Each book takes about 5 minutes and we always have a little laugh before going to sleep, leaving us both feeling happy and satisfied before my daughter goes to sleep. It rounds the day off nicely and its so cosy both of us laying on our bellies next to each other with the warm duvet….
Tips:
* If your child is not interested in reading, use your child’s interests to coax them into reading. - the range is obviously endless.
* Read about a chapters worth daily.
* Perhaps read at the same time each day if your child’s keenness doesn’t increase, then it may be less of a fight.
* If your child shows great interest, and you can fit it in, you could even read some in the morning and then before bed time.
* Choose a place to read where your child feels comfy. In the evening’s, this could be in bed, or curled up on your lap. Especially if it’s a colourful book. Other options, on the floor, sofa, bean-bag, kitchen, in a play tent, on a porch swing, in a hammock….whatever this special spot is, your child will soon associate this place with reading.
* Don’t expect or demand your child’s undivided attention - of course it would be perfect if they hung on your every word, and of course you don’t want the TV on or playing on a computer. HOWEVER, if it helps your child to listen, let them play close by or cuddle up in a blanket.
* Be enthusiastic
* Use different voices for different characters, as well as changing facial expressions - bring the story alive… by doing this it will be so much easier to capture your child’s attention and imagination
* If your child is old enough to read, take it in turns to read. You could do this by the sentence, paragraph or page. Of course then you must only use material they will be able to read themselves…
* Once your child is old enough for longer books, and you aren’t reading the same picture story books over and over again, start keeping a chart of which books you read and how much your child enjoyed each one. Write daily how many pages were read,
* As well as your special reading time together, also read alone, so your child can see that you enjoy reading and that it is an amazing experience
* If there are words that your child doesn’t know, ask them what they think it means. Then explain what it does mean.
* Get your child to guess what will happen next in the story.
* Ask them how they think characters are feeling.
* If something in the story has occurred to you and/or your child or someone you know in the story discuss it.
* Every book should be a happy, fun, unique experience….
