With World Book Day just complete last week, many children have find memories of their favourite book character – or how much they enjoyed dressing up and getting into all the fun their school had prepared for them.
If you want to keep the momentum going – and give a child who usually had no interest in reading interested, here are some tips:
So as I do, not just as I say
If you’re constantly hammering the importance of reading to your child but never do it yourself, is it any wonder they can’t be bothered, either?
If your children see you reading for pleasure, they’ll soon start to copy.
If you’re a newspaper or magazine reader, make an extra effort to point out articles of interest to them – it makes reading appear very valid if they can see news about their favourite character, for example.
Start early
So you can’t roll back the years with older children but if you have toddlers or a bump – start reading to it; don’t let history repeat itself.
Reading aloud to your children long before they understand what you’re saying means it becomes the norm and they’ll naturally want to read when they are older.
Point to the words on the page as you say them
Does your child struggle with reading? Follow the sentence with your finger so that he or she can begin to recognise how words appear on the page. When they can read a little by themselves, read together. Begin by reading together until they are more confident, then take it in turns to read paragraphs, then pages.
Relate it to everyday things
With midern technology often overshadowing reading, you have to go the extra mile to show children the importance of being able to read properly. So, when you’re shopping, cooking or riding in the car, show them how useful reading can be. Let them read lists or recipes or road signs to you.
Read before you watch
If your child is an avid film fan, make an agreement to watch films after they have read the book.
It doesn’t have to stop at modern releases – start with films that are not only based on popular and classic children’s books, too.
