It’s not always easy to motivate your child to read. And for children just beginning, it’s sometimes a challenge to keep them engaged enough to learn properly. Thankfully, through PALS Praise & Leadership Schools, we instill fun and excitement into everything your children learn, including reading! However, if you want to get your children excited about reading at home, here are five helpful tips to get you started.
Make a Day of Finding a New Book
Events like going to the movies, heading to Grandma’s house, or meeting your friends at school are all exciting for your kids. And in the same way your children can’t wait to do these things, you can make a day out of finding a new book. For example, trips to the library or bookstore can be a special occasion. When your child does something good, try rewarding them with a library trip to pick out a new book to read. Pick out the books that most interest your kids, and read a few with them while you’re there. Speaking of finding interesting books…
Find Books that Most Interest Your Children
It might take time to find a book that your children find most interesting. However, allowing them to touch, open and sample various books at the library or bookstore will lead to them finding something they like. Additionally, if you know there’s a specific game, toy, or movie your child likes, you can try to find a book to match it. Finding a book related to something your kids are already excited about is a great way to get them to read.
Take Suggestions from Friends to Heart
Reading and finding a good book is among the few times you should allow peer pressure to influence your child’s desire to read. If they come home from daycare, preschool, or a playdate excited about what their friend or teacher showed them, ride that wave! Because, at the end of the day, while parents influence the likes and dislikes of their children, friends and teachers can do the same. And if your child finds enjoyment in the stories their peers like, why deny them that desire to read?
Set Aside Time for Reading
Don’t expect your children to take to reading immediately. It may take a little time and effort on your part to introduce reading as a daily part of life. Start by setting aside time for reading with your children. Whether a few minutes in the day or an hour or so at night, as long as you make reading a consistent part of your children’s daily lives, they’ll begin to look forward to the time.
Ham it Up!
Reading for your children means you’ll have to unlock your inner “actor.” Thankfully, it doesn’t take much for your kids to engage in the stories you tell. Using funny voices, big gestures, silly faces, and more for characters in the books you read are sure to delight your child to no end. And while it can seem like quite a bit more effort to “act out” the books you read to your kids, it will help bring books to life. Soon, your children will want to take the reins and be the storytellers themselves.
Read More, Yourself
No, this isn’t just an excuse to give yourself more reading time. The truth is, the more your children see you reading and enjoying the act, the more likely they’re going to want to read themselves. Additionally, you can make a point of your reading. If watching TV or on your phone, make a deal of turning your devices off and picking up a book. You are the person that will leave the most significant impression on the way your child behaves. So, be sure you let your own love of reading shine through!
Start a Series
Whether you are reading to your child or your kids are picking up the books themselves, you can encourage continued reading by getting them started on a series. And thankfully, there are thousands of exciting children’s series out there to pick from. Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and The Magic Tree House, to name a few popular children’s series for you to introduce to your kids. If you get them hooked on one book, they’ll be begging you to read the next!
Don’t Give Up!
Your children might not get into reading immediately, and that’s okay! Like any activity, it takes time to get used to. However, as mentioned previously, by making a habit of reading with your kids, they’re more likely to adapt to it more quickly. And you’ll know your reading will have paid off when your children start coming home with books of their own.
Enroll Your Child at PALS
PALS Praise & Leadership Schools uses proven teaching methods and skilled educators to give your children an edge when their first day of school arrives. Needless to say, we also encourage reading a great deal through our childcare and preschool classes. And exposing your children to the joys of reading at school and home will further cement the fun and excitement of picking up a good book.
To learn more about PALS or schedule a tour of one of our facilities, be sure to call us at either 309-228-2505 (Willow Knolls) or 309-740-4463 (Downtown Peoria). Also, we are located at 2327 W Willow Knolls Rd, Peoria, IL 61614 and 700 NE Greenleaf, Peoria, IL 61603.
