If you are a parent, looking at your child, wondering how to get them to turn off the TV/ PlayStation and read a book, then this article is for you.
The worry about how to raise readers is bordering on becoming a parental epidemic that has a domino effect. Everyone wants a child who reads, but no one is sure how to raise them. Does it require spending a lot of money on books? Where will we store all these books? What books should my child read? Are these books age-appropriate? The questions are never-ending. But at the heart of all these questions is the same basic concern – how do I raise a reader?
Here are 10 simple, cost-effective, tried and tested ways to raise a reader. (Disclaimer: I have two boys, and I run a venture called Mother of Readers)
- Read anything: Don’t expect your child to start with Harry Potter or Shakespeare. Let them begin reading flyers, billboards, advertisements, cereal box ingredients…anything. The idea is to raise a reader, not raise a classical book reader. Ask them often to read things out for you. If you are cooking, ask them to read the recipe. Say your glasses are in the next room and ask them read an article for you. Make it fun and get them to read.
- Turn on subtitles on the TV: If your child likes to watch TV shows or movies, turn on the subtitles and lower the volume a notch. A child’s eyes will naturally move to the text. You will be amazed at how their reading speed and aptitude increase with subtitles.
- Emulate: Lead by example. You don’t have to quit your job to show your child you read, but pick up a book or a newspaper in front of them and tell them you will be reading for 15 minutes. They will watch you for two days. Then nudge them to do the same.
- Make books accessible: Keep them around the house — as coffee-table books, make an interesting display with your favourites, keep some by the bedside, and keep books on lower shelves where young children can reach them. By doing this, you are telling your child it is ok for them to pick one up. Books are not dangerous things that should be kept out of reach of children. They are free to thumb through them if they like.
- Read to them: Little ones love listening to your voice. Pick up a book, any book, and read to them before bed. It takes 10 minutes, and they will slowly begin to love the time they spend with you. When they hear you read, they will do the same, and slowly they will start reading with you.
- Discuss what they are reading: For older kids, show interest in what they are reading. If it is the sports page of the newspaper, discuss the articles. If it is a game manual, discuss the rules of the game. Don’t ever mock the book they are reading. They need to know you are interested in what they are reading.
- Join a library: This is one of the best things you can do for your child. Join a library and take them there regularly. Let them browse, skim through, and choose what they want to read. This is a sure-shot way to raise a reader.
- Not a punishment: Never send them to read a book when you are putting them in a time-out or as a punishment. They will begin to equate books with punishment and never pick them up.
- Beyond school reading: Reading doesn’t have to be limited to textbooks. Raise readers who read for fun. Recommended reading needs to be kept separate.
- Gift books: Spread the joy and help a parent raise a reader by gifting books. This puts them in the fun category and awards them the status of a prized possession they received on their birthday.
These tips worked wonders for me! Hope they help you too!