9 Tips to Encourage a Reading Habit in Children

Reading Time: 5 minutes ⏱

However, success depends on teamwork between parents and children. Here are our 9 tips for building healthy reading habits.

1. Create a daily reading routine

Whether it’s bedtime stories or reading after breakfast, the key is consistency. Choose a time that fits both your schedule and your child’s, and make sure it’s a calm moment dedicated to reading.

2. Use the book to spark conversation

Talk constantly about what is happening in the story. Encourage children to actively participate instead of just listening. This interaction develops vocabulary and increases their sense of belonging and security.

3. Read the illustrations

Before reading words, children should learn to understand images. At an early stage, help them interpret what’s happening on each page and notice details. Later, guide them to make logical connections between pages.

4. Ask what happens next

At a key moment in the story, pause and ask what they think will happen next. This boosts creativity.

5. Ask questions about the characters

Once they are familiar with the characters, ask questions such as: Are they kind? Are they sad? Are they stubborn?

6. Explore different endings

This activity fosters creativity and allows children to experience decision-making and authority over the story.

7. Let them see you reading

You are their role model. Children imitate behavior, so it’s important to practice the habits you want them to develop.

8. Use “real” books

Although alternative reading formats have emerged, studies support using printed books during shared reading time due to the interaction they promote between parent and child and between child and book.

9. Don’t break the habit

Even after your child learns to read, keep the routine. In the early stages, you can take turns reading a page each. Later, turn it into a family reading moment to share stories and quality time together.

In summary, developing a reading habit is essential for children’s intellectual, emotional, and social growth. Encouraging it from an early age opens a world of possibilities and enriches their lives in meaningful ways.

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