10 Ways To Cultivate A Child’s Reading Hobby

Since schools are out, what can we as parents do to help our children fill up the time now? Kids have much time to kill since they are stranded at home. They cannot go out and play to relieve their boredom, so reading can be a way to break free from the confinement in our home. Why read? We can do the same with movies and online games as well right? Image from stock.adobe.com Reading is an essential part of learning and it will be used in many parts of our lives. But it can also soothe our soul as well, as gaming and movies put too much stress on our senses and in the long term could bring detrimental effects. Several studies have found that reading is good for the brain, it can encourage empathy and boosts one's intelligence overall. So, how do you cultivate a child’s reading hobby? 1. Remember to start early Image from stock.adobe.com Start them as early as when they are learning to talk. When they are interested in their surroundings, take a book and sit with them while reading out loud. You can encourage them to enjoy the pictures and touch the book. Let them know that reading a book is enjoyable and a natural thing for them to do. We as parents are the ones that weave the path for our children, so put in that effort to get them hooked now. 2. Prepare a Mini Library or a Reading Space Utilize space and give it a purpose, with the right atmosphere you can goad the kids to sit, pick a book, and read it. Get your kids to help make the reading area or your mini library. Use things like bean bag chairs, a variety of books, and your child will have his or her own cozy reading corner. Make sure to not put distracting electronic devices like television, laptop, or tabs in that space. Kids get distracted easily, so minimize that. Source: Adobe Stock 3. Pique their interest with new books Correspond their age and reading ability with the right reading material. Make sure there is always something new to read for them. Keep track of the new children's books coming out and make sure there is always enough classic and contemporary literature at your child's reading level at home. This ensures that whenever the child needs something to do, books are available. 4. Let them choose some of their own books Yes, tell them that their choice is important and that we respect their choices. This allows our children to make careful decisions and not carelessly make choices. Thus, it is fundamental to let children choose their own books. This alone makes it a voluntary hobby rather than a chore that has been assigned. Getting them to try diverse genres and books you enjoyed yourself is great. But for every book they read for you, let them pick one of their own. Source: Adobe Stock Don't be disappointed if they enjoy different types of books than you did. They are still young and their tastes are evolving, the important thing is they are reading and they enjoy doing it. This includes children of all ages. 5. Make connections between reading and real life. Source: Adobe Stock As adults that have more experience and wisdom, don’t hesitate to put in your little nuggets of advice into the storytelling. When kids start the interrogations with the why, why, why questions you can use your own judgment to draw the connection to real-life happenings. Make them realise that the stories they read are not purely fictions and they are very much as real as they are. For all stories are based on reality. 6. Talk about what your child is reading. Source: Adobe Stock When you take an interest in your child's reading, it validates the hobby. Many adults have a habit of talking down or patronising children but you must avoid this when discussing books, for then you belittle their passion. Discuss the book to them as an equal. No matter how irritatingly basic the plot, hear what they have to say about it and ask them questions on how they feel, what they would do in that situation, etc. Try to make connections between their book and real life. 7. Go ahead and be a role model Set yourself as an example. If you have always been an avid reader, this isn't difficult to do. Simply by observing that books are a part of your life your child will start to respect reading. Read a book around them where you can and when discussing their book, tell them about your own. If you aren't a reader, you can build up your own reading habit as you build your child's. Always pack a few good reads with you wherever you're going on a trip or vacation as well. Source: Adobe Stock Reading does not stop at just the school or home. Send that message to them. 8. Read together and read before bed Reading together is always more fun together. This is an easy habit to start, read to them in bed, just before they fall asleep until they're old enough to read to themselves. Several studies have found that blue light from the screens of gadgets disrupts sleep and should be banned before bedtime anyway. Ensure that, no matter what, that time is reserved for reading. Source: Adobe Stock 9. Join Online Reading Clubs There are usually children's book fairs and interactive reading sessions that are sometimes held at the library or book stores. However, with the current situation just register your child for the children book clubs. Sign up your child to these to immerse them in a literary atmosphere. Children love to connect and an assemble of others like hobbies will give your child satisfaction. Kids can give their opinions, discuss books that they have read, and even give recommendations on books they like. You can even start one yourself by using social media platforms you can open up your book club with your kids. Source: Adobe Stock 10. Expose different genres to them Persuade your child to read different genres of books. Explore different genres like mystery, science-fiction, comic books, and more. The more interested your child is in a subject, the more he or she will be excited to read! So, pile them on and let them slowly taste the excitement, the sadness, the miracle, the anger and understand the depths of a human heart. Source: Adobe Stock So parents, make your child's inner world bigger today in our times of distress. The world outside is out of reach so go ahead and build you and your child's mindscape. Just because you are physically stranded in a place does not mean you cannot go anywhere. A human's mind is their biggest asset, utilise it to the fullest. Source: oxfordlearning timesofindia

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