If you have already researched a bit on this, you might have found one of the most commonly shared tips: you need to have fun reading books if you want your child to do so too. When your kids observe that you love to read, they’re more likely to develop a love of reading themselves — your daughter or son will notice how much you are enjoying the book and absorb that emotion as what they would wish to have when they read books themselves.
That said, a few other best practices can also help you raise a lovely young reader. Let’s take a look.
Your babies are your audience.
It’s good to try and make eye contact while reading, even if they don’t look back or react. You might think they’re not paying attention, but they most probably are, and immersing themselves in the experience of their mom or dad reading a story to them while they fiddle with the book themselves.
Get your baby to express their emotions as the story evolves.
When I first read the story of the “Very Hungry Caterpillar”, my daughter responded and made sounds each time the caterpillar decided to eat a fruit that she loved. It was adorable. When your baby responds to your reading with noises, react to them. It might be baby babble, animal sounds and baby jargon, but it’s communication as far as your baby is concerned.
Such a thing as intellectual fun
Reading is an excellent way for your toddler to experience worlds, concepts and creatures outside of what they have had experience with. When you read to toddlers, they absorb a lot more than they had earlier when they were an infant. Vocabulary, numbers, shapes, colours, animals and behaviours. They also begin to get a rudimentary understanding of how the world works.
Positive Proximity
As you read those books, the physical closeness with you will help build a positive association for reading books that will last their lifetime. Did you know that when you read out loud, your toddler connects books with the sound of your voice and the physical closeness that reading together brings? It could blossom into one of those lifelong memories that children have of some of their happiest moments.
Respect your child’s preferences
You might get bored out of your wits when it’s time for the 100th re-read of an Enid Blyton book, while the 100th watch of a Friends series is still a delight. But, just like that, your child also has their tastes, preferences and opinions. So encourage your daughter or son to express their likes and dislikes about their books, and it can help you understand them better. You can also allow your child to turn the pages of the book, so they have control over the story’s pace. It’s also helpful for developing fine motor skills once she stops tearing up those pages.
Create a cosy reading nook
A special reading space such as a corner of the room or with a special pillow and blanket in her bed may be all the encouragement your child needs to settle down and spend time with her favourite book.
Play dress-up
Imagine your toddler dressed up as one of the characters in their book. Then you could sit together and read the story while she is dressed like the main character. This helps the toddler feel empathy as they start to think like the character they are being read about.
How can I make my toddler, who hates to sit in a place to read?
Most wriggly toddlers won’t sit still through all of Snow White and Seven Dwarfs. Don’t worry about it. Just leaf through something short for a few minutes (or even seconds) and then let her go. The next day you can try a slightly longer session. Some children will always be more interested in running around than in reading. If your toddler is the physically active type, she may respond best to non-book-related activities.
Have books all around your home and their room
If you can create an environment where books surround your child, it allows them to pick one out no matter where they are. This is especially powerful given that kids tend to be very turbulent as they switch from bored to enthused and vice versa. If you don’t have enough books, you can also consider getting other readables like comics, magazines or newspapers.
If you want to raise a reader, be a reader.
Check out the different ways to help infants enjoy books : https://childgood.in/how-did-i-help-my-infant-learn-to-enjoy-books/
