You probably already know that reading has been proven to be hugely beneficial for your child’s cognitive development. Not only does it stimulate the mind and imagination, it also improves vocabulary, memory and the building of knowledge.
By developing a love of reading at a young age, your child will become a lifetime reader. Here are some simple tips to awaken the joy of reading in children:
Encourage your child to read anything and everything. This will stimulate their curiosity for the world around them.
Use fun and inventive ways to practice spelling with your children. There are hundreds of spelling games you can play online, but some of the classics which you can play together include Hangman, Text Twist and Word Search.
Encourage your child to go beyond their comfort zone. If they find it daunting to read longer books or words, take it one step at a time. Instead of reading an entire chapter of a long book, challenge them to read just one page or one paragraph of a book. Soon pages will turn to chapters and their joy of reading will grow.
Set aside some quality time to curl up next to your child on the couch to read. This could be half an hour in the evening after school, or at the weekend. Letting them know you are there to ask questions also reinforces a positive association with reading. Books do not always have to be challenging; encourage your child to just read and explore a story that they enjoy.
As a parent, you are the number one promoter of your child’s reading. When children see their parent’s enthusiasm for a book or a story in a newspaper or magazine, they are much more inclined to take an interest. Why not share the story of your favourite childhood book? Your enthusiasm and sheer joy will inspire your child to find out more!
Nord Anglia International School, Dublin
South County Business Park
Leopardstown
Dublin 18
D18 T672
Ireland
