The benefits of reading apply to all stages of children’s development and for that it is necessary that adults get involved in creating the habit. How do we get kids interested in reading? Can we get them to pay attention despite all the technological distractions? There are no magic formulas, but we have several tools that can help us.
For your children to be readers, you must be a reader from early childhood.
If you have left reading on the sidelines of your life, it is a good time to recover it. With just 20 minutes a day we are already planting a very powerful seed in children and this includes
newborn babies. Every day read aloud any book, babies benefit from listening to stories regardless of the content. What does matter is the sound of your voice, the
cadence of the text and the words themselves. Research has shown that the number of words a baby is exposed to has a direct impact on language and literacy development. Of course: the language has to be live, in person and directed at the child. Of course, it’s good to start reading aloud the children’s books that will be part of the child’s library, but don’t feel limited.
Take into account the characteristics of the book and the reading space
Many times, behind “I don’t like reading”, there is hidden “I haven’t found a book that I’m passionate about yet”. So adults, recognizing the personality of children and their possible literary tastes, are in charge of recommending works that motivate them and, fundamentally, taking into account the length of the book. For those who are just starting out in the world of reading, a short, engaging story is best, often with a hero as the protagonist and a reflection that may arise from reading. This will turn the reading process into a true learning stage. Let us remember that in the first years of life what draws our attention the most is the visual impact. So offering them books with drawings and graphics will introduce them to a known universe and open the doors to endless possibilities. In addition, you can consider creating a specific space in the house for reading, decorated together with the children following their tastes and preferences. In this way, they can take over that space to read, beyond school, and make reading become an act of pleasure, far from obligations.
Consistency as a key factor
What guarantees the creation of a habit in children is consistency and variety, carrying out different activities with the same objective. A good idea to generate interest is to talk to them
about the life and works of an author; If they show particular interest in a work, buy it from them; show them landscapes and people who inspired the best script writing services, etc. The more details you provide, the better. This will contribute to a complete reading experience. Reading together is one of the most profitable strategies. Nightly reading at bedtime is a great family routine for parents of young children. It’s ideal to make sure the environment is relaxing, and choose a book that ends with a calm bedtime scene. But you don’t have to limit yourself only to bedtime, reading with children during the day helps children calm down and concentrate. If as an adult you show enthusiasm for books, the little ones will probably imitate your behavior and get hooked on written adventures. In addition, setting aside time to read as a family can ensure the creation of a good literary habit.
Adapt to today’s times
In recent years, a new trend has emerged: influencers. Their workplace resides on platforms such as YouTube, Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. They talk about all kinds of topics: from
travel, to fashion and sports and, of course, there are those who talk about books – who are called “book tubers” -. A recent study affirms that the so-called book tubers influence the improvement of the reading rate of children and young people. Therefore, their videos and reviews are a very good way to link the passion for networks with the desire to read. Boys and girls are curious beings by nature, with a lot of energy and desire to discover the world. They tend to stick to technology when they can’t find another activity to focus their efforts on. That is why adults must dedicate enough time and generate new scenarios if they seek to distance them from electronic vice. At the end of the day, what is truly important is not how many pages they have read, but that they express a taste for reading and feel the impulse to read for themselves.
Promoting reading in children is not an impossible task, however, it requires us to be present, creative and willing to spread the desire so that reading becomes another activity in our daily lives.
