Fostering a Love for Reading in Your Kids

One of my favorite things to do is read books to my son. My husband and I started reading to our son before he was even born. Today, he loves books and “reads” all of the time. I think one of the biggest reasons he’s such a book fan is that we started reading to him early and often. This was a recent article I did for the company ThinkJr Creations; thought I would share it here, and encourage you to check out ThinkJr for some engaging videos and helpful resources. 🙂

There is something extra-special about books when it comes to children. Books have the potential to transport kids to faraway lands, show them amazing sights, introduce them to incredible characters, and be all sorts of different people. When children open up a book, the possibilities are only limited by their imagination, so it’s vital to encourage an early love for reading and creativity. 

If you want your kids to love to read, you don’t have to make them read a book every night or force them to spend a set amount of time each day with books. In fact, forcing your kids to read is probably the worst thing you can do; it’s sure to make them want to do just the opposite!

Read to Your Child, and Start Early…Really Early

Reading to your children is one of the best ways to foster a love for books and reading in your kids. Take advantage of the wonderful resource of time! In other words, START EARLY! Before your child is even born, read to her while she’s still in the womb! Yes, that’s right, she can hear you! There has been numerous research done that shows reading to your unborn child can help promote a love for books as well as early literacy skills. 

Make it a habit to read to your children every night before bed. Tell your child stories and encourage your children to make up their own imaginative tales to nurture a joy of storytelling. Even before your child can actually read, you can show her how looking at the pictures in a book can also tell her the story. 

A Love for Books Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive

Many parents say they would love it if their children would read more, but they just don’t have the extra money to spend on books. Well, just because you want your kids to love reading, doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget. You can maintain a consistent variety of amazing books for your child by simply visiting your local library. Free books whenever you want! You can’t beat that!

Bring your kids to the library with you, and let them explore different books. Show your children how the library works. Let your kids select and check out their own books, and when they are old enough, reward them with their very own library card. For a kid who loves to read, this is a very important milestone!

What About Books on a Screen?

If you download e-books to share with your child, this can still help promote a love for reading. However, don’t do this in place of giving your children actual books. There is something about holding a book in your hands, feeling the pages, and seeing the glossy pictures, that makes a big impression. Therefore, make sure your child has access to plenty of physical books. 

Key Takeaways

• Start reading to your children when they are still in the womb.
• Make reading a book part of your child’s bedtime routine.
• Encourage a love for reading by reading a book to your child every day. 
• Ensure your child has access to plenty of books. This doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money; introduce your child to the wonders of the local library.
• E-books can also help your child love to read, but don’t let it completely replace physical books.

You can start encouraging a love for storytelling and creativity by introducing your child to some of the engaging stories we present in our educational videos. Use these stories as a jumping-off point to find books you can read with your child to reinforce the various topics. We are always adding content at ThinkJr Creations, so you’re sure to find exactly what you are looking for when you explore! Happy reading!