Not every child enjoys reading. Even if you read to your children a lot and support them in reading, sometimes it simply doesn’t click. One of the best things about reading is how books ignite a child’s imagination and allow them to escape into a new reality.
However, it can be almost impossible to get kids interested in reading, especially in today’s digital world. Looking for a way to get your child excited about reading? Here are ten fun strategies you can try.
From experts to grandma, everybody says that the more you read to your child, the more excited they will become about reading. However, that isn’t always the case. If your child is struggling to get excited about reading, caregivers from a preschool in Olney, MD, recommend trying some of the following ideas.
Every avid reader will tell you that to enjoy reading, you must be interested in what you are reading. If a book doesn’t grab your attention within the first few minutes, your chances of finishing it are slim. The same holds true for kids; if they don’t like the book, they are not going to want to read it.
For instance, comic books might not be a parent’s first choice, but kids love them. Comic books contain a beginning, middle, and finish, which helps kids realize that things happen in a particular order. Sure, you might want your kids to read something with a bit more substance, but the point is to get them reading. Once your child is comfortable reading, you can introduce them to a range of increasingly difficult reading materials.
If you haven’t discovered this already, you will soon. Kids love to read the same story over and over again. Parents from all over can attest to this, as they often read the same bedtime story for weeks on end. While this might get tedious for you, it’s something you must deal with. Reading the same story night after night is a good thing.
Kids learn by repetition, eventually enabling them to read confidently. Every time they read or listen to the story, they not only start to understand it better but also discover new and exciting things. Building on that excitement is one of the best ways to get your child wanting to read.
Most people eat popcorn while watching a movie, so why not enjoy treats while reading a book? You can let your kids pick out some of their favorite snacks while grocery shopping, or you can spend a day in the kitchen making various things, from caramel corn to chocolate chip cookies. You can even go as far as making things associated with the book. Some examples include green eggs and ham, Butter Beer, Gingerbread Men or Houses, and more.
Reading aloud to your kids lets them see that you also like reading for pleasure. Now would be a fantastic time to start a new book with your children if you haven’t been reading aloud to them! Either surprise them with a new book in a series they already know and love, or pull a few off your shelves and let them choose what they believe to be the most intriguing beginning point.
For avid readers, nothing beats the excitement of walking into a library. The joy they feel as they walk through the endless rows of books is the same joy a baseball player experiences after hitting their first home run. Using a library visit as a reward for good behavior helps get kids excited about books.
When visiting the library, don’t make it a quick trip, as that feels like an errand. Instead, turn it into an experience. Let your children walk among the shelves, trailing their little fingers across the spines. Let them pick books off the shelves that catch their interest. Spend some time reading inside the library before checking out.
Are you reading to your kids about dinosaurs? Keep that excitement building with a trip to the Natural History Museum or a dinosaur park. Follow up Rainbow Fish with a family trip to an aquarium. Does your child love to read about various animals? A quick visit to the zoo is an easy way to help reinforce what you are learning about. Filed trips themselves are exciting, but planning them around books you are reading gets kids excited to read even more!
Reading corners are common inside Olney preschool classrooms, so why not add one to your home? And let’s be honest here: reading corners aren’t just for kids; many adults would enjoy them too!
Give your child a room that is theirs and that is one of a kind and completely unique to them. Make sure to use the colors, textures, plush animals, and blankets that they enjoy the most. You will want to include everything that creates a sense of warmth, comfort, and security for them; this will encourage children to spend time in their designated reading area.
While reading a book featuring a character your child really likes, you can play dress-up and act out some of the scenarios from the book. Another way to bring the book to life is to grab some crayons and markers and have your child draw out their favorite character or scene. Once the drawing is finished, make sure you display it with their other artwork.
It seems every good book has been turned into a movie. And some popular children’s shows have turned into books. Most kids enjoy watching TV, so why not have a family movie night after reading a book-turned-movie? Or, if your child reader is a fan of Bluey, Paw Patrol, or Doc McStuffins, discovering books that feature their favorite characters from television could pique their interest in reading more.
Caregivers from a preschool in Olney share that the first step to making reading fun is to get your child into the habit of reading. While some children already love reading and everything that goes along with it, some need to discover just how exciting reading can be. By using the above strategies to make reading fun and exciting, you are going to help your child develop a lifelong love for reading!
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.