September 16, 2014
How to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read
What excites me most is when my child wants to read a new book! One important thing you can do to help your child be successful in school and life, is encourage them to read. Raising a child who reads will build listening skills and extend the boundaries of your child’s imagination. In order to raise your child to love reading, there are a few things you can do to help.
Read aloud to your child every day. Many families enjoy reading twenty to thirty minutes before bed time, but it does not matter when you read to them as long as it is on a daily basis. As your child gets older and begins to read independently, you can still read to them but you should allow some time for them to read aloud to you. Try to visit the library at least once a week. You can save money on books by going to the library. Get a library card, and when you think your child is old enough, allow them to get their own library card. This will also teach them responsibility and you can use this as an opportunity to teach them about respecting books. Ask the librarian to show you and your child around the children’s section. If your child has any special interests, make sure to ask how to locate books about that subject. Also, make sure to allow plenty of time at the library so your child does not feel rushed. Encourage them to look around and help them find books they want. Find out if your library has story time, author visits, puppet shows, or craft activities. Getting your child involved in these activities will make visiting the library and reading more exciting.
A reading friendly environment is very important. Make sure your child has a space in your home where they can read without being disturbed by the TV or other family members. You can also add soft seating and good lighting to make this space more comfortable for them.
Give books as gifts. Books are great gifts for birthdays, Christmas, rewards, or other special occasions. Giving books for special occasions will become a special memory and the books will be treasured. You can write