To encourage your child to pick up more books, an independent school in Surrey has put together five ways to help your child enjoy reading…
Where possible, try to include reading into your everyday activities. For example, you could ask your child to read your shopping list and then help you to find these items at the supermarket by reading the overhead signs. The trick is to try and make reading feel more fun, instead of a chore.
2. Make a reading den
Creating an area within your home which is dedicated to books is a great way to encourage reading. You could make a cozy den with a box full of books, or a reading corner with posters on the wall. Perhaps you could include your child’s favourite theme, like pirates or space to make reading time even more appealing.
3 Creative writing
Regular reading will also help your child when it comes to creative writing exercises at school.
If your child enjoys reading a particular book, you could set them a challenge to create their own ending to the story. Think of what parts of the storyline could be changed in order to achieve a different outcome.
4. Reading for relaxation
If your child struggles with stress or has trouble sleeping, encourage them to start reading. By focusing on a good story, your child will be able to forget about their worries and begin to relax. Teach your child that they can always use a book and the power of their imagination to take them away to somewhere new.
5. Reading apps
Finally, use technology to help your child enjoy reading. Smart phones and tablets are ideal for downloading fun and interactive reading apps. These apps provide safe spaces for reading without parents worrying about unsafe content online. You can choose what your child can access within these apps; use timer features and monitor your child’s reading progress.