“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr Seuss
The importance of reading books for children cannot be overstated. In addition to cultivating an active and creative mind, books draw you into a story like no other medium does. This is because the words lead the reader to imagine and create their own worlds instead of giving them access to someone else’s world, which is what electronic entertainment mediums do.
It is scientifically proven that reading uses a complex network of signals in the brain and, as one ages and matures, these networks of signals become stronger and more sophisticated.
Most parents are well aware of the importance of reading books. However, one of the most pressing challenges that parents face these days is how to get their children to become interested in reading? There are so many alternative sources of entertainment available to children these days that reading has taken a back seat. It is also scientifically proven that prolonged exposure to digital screens, be it mobiles, tablets or television, are harmful not just for your children’s eyes, but they can also lead to mental fatigue and learning disorders.
Here are some actionable and workable tips for you to get your children to fall in love with reading.
- Read to your children
As responsible parents, take the initiative and start reading to your children as early as possible. From their early developmental days, children are sponges for information of all sorts, which their brains use to build and grow.
Brightly-coloured pictures, interesting short stories, innovative narration, fun looking fonts accompanied with sounds and other experiential formats, make the experience of book reading entertaining and attractive for toddlers and young children. By starting as early as possible, you can teach your children to love reading in a very natural and organic way.
Even while growing up, if parents continue the habit of reading to their children, they can introduce their growing children to increasingly complex words and language. This ensures children are prepared to take on more complex forms of reading on their own later on in their life.
- Make it a fun and bonding exercise
If you have young children who are reluctant to read, you can find ways to make reading a fun activity, rather than a chore.
For example, instead of telling them to “go and read,” consider turning it into a bonding experience. You can take turns reading passages or read out loud to each other. This can be a fun activity for siblings as well. Reading together can help build warm and happy associations with books, increasing the likelihood that children will continue to find reading an enjoyable exercise. In addition, the bond you make with one another will be as important as the book you read.
- Let it be their choice
Children are more open to reading when they are given a choice regarding the story they want to listen to or the book they want to read. So, make it their decision, and you will find greater acceptance in them taking on reading as an activity.
The habit of reading starts at home and it is therefore the responsibility of parents to introduce their children to this wonderful avenue of exploration as early as they can. It is a proven fact that reading at home boosts performance at school later on. It increases vocabulary, enhances communication skills, raises self-esteem, gives the confidence to express oneself freely and openly, strengthens the mind and inculcates creativity.
With so many benefits, there is no reason to wait. Browse through our selection of books (with your children) and pick your next adventure together. To top it all, we are offering a 25% discount on all our books throughout March, as it is the month of reading.
Click HERE to start browsing
