Reading is a fantastic way for children to learn new vocabulary, learn new sounds and words, and develop their imagination. Reading helps children learn to focus and concentrate, as well as teaching them good communication skills. Reading is an essential skill for people to have; an illiterate life can be a very tricky life, so it is good to encourage your child to read from a young age.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can sometimes be hard to draw your child away from smartphones and screens and into a good book. However, building a good reading practice and space at home can promote reading.
Read to Young Children
Reading to young children is unbelievably essential since it can provide your child with a background to their young world. For example, when you read a book, you discuss how it can relate to your own lives. The ability to connect reading with the real world can help a child make sense of things.
Furthermore, the sounds and words produced when you read to someone are essential for a child’s cognitive development and vocabulary. A child’s language acquisition will develop the more you read to them since it stimulates a part of the brain that allows them to understand the meaning of language.
Ideally, starting the reading habit young with a child will be something they emulate further down the line and continue to grow. Reading can be a practice that a child develops, and if they witness it from a young age, it is more likely to stick.
Build a Reading Corner
An excellent way to get a reading habit to stick with a child is to build a reading corner. Space where they can relax and unwind with a good book. You can create this space anywhere in your home; it can even be a small section of your child’s bedroom. You want to have a quiet room with good light and comfy furniture. A bean bag is a great item to fill the space and is comfortable for everyone.
Explore Themes and Characters in Books
People love to read when they can relate to and understand what is happening in the book. This process of understanding is developed with a person’s comprehension skills. As parents, you can help your child become a voracious reader by asking the right questions around their reading. Doing so will help develop their critical thinking and reasoning skills, factual recall, and other essential skills.
Exploring themes and characters in a book is a lovely way to start, questioning the reading with a child. Learn about what they enjoy and how that relates to their real lives. Finding these connections and applying their brain in this way will most likely encourage your child to read more because they enjoy the process.
Reading is a fantastic skill, and all children should be encouraged to do it. Starting young and building up is a great start.
Featured Image Credits- Understand.org