4 Alternative Ways to Make Reading Fun

Reading has many benefits but it is not easy to convince your kids of this. Even teachers from various international schools in Manila are finding ways to their kids to start reading more and develop this habit at an early age. There are many ways that this can be achieved but one of the most effective ways is through one word, fun. Fun is rarely associated with reading and it can be a challenge to change that mindset. It is a challenge but it is not impossible.

Choose their Books Wisely

The last thing you want when introducing your kids to a new activity by challenging them and discouraging them from carrying on. It is the same thing with reading, as you introduce and encourage them to this new hobby make sure to choose content that is at their reading level. You wouldn’t want them to stop even before they start. Another is to make sure to let them show you what type of books interests them. The more interested they are the more they will explore.

Participate with Them

Another way to have fun with your kids is by actually introducing them to reading yourself. Start by reading the book with them, especially when it is a storybook you are able to give the story more character as you narrate it. You could also help to clarify certain things your kid does not understand, the more confused they are the more they will be discouraged. Talking about the book is a great bonding activity as well as it will make sure that they learn better.

Make it Accessible

Make sure that your child knows that you support this new hobby of theirs. You can show them where and how to acquire more books. Encourage them to read with you on a regular basis, maybe once a day. Talk about the book they are reading so that they know that you are also interested in what they are reading. This can also give you an opportunity to know your kid more as they express their feelings through the stories they associate with the book.

Set Goals

One way to show a child that you are happy with what they are doing is by setting goals and helping them achieve those goals. Setting regular reading and learning goals is possible with kids, you just have to start with goals that can be easily met and start adding on to that. This helps the kids to gain confidence in their abilities and encourage them to move on to the next goals. A little celebration once the goal is hit also, helps especially in the fun factor of reading.

Reading helps the development of a child’s cognitive abilities, that is why it is essential for these kids to start early. Reading is also easily accessible nowadays thanks to technology. A book is merely a click away, there is a large library online and many ways to access these books. It is also easy to share books and reading material and it makes it very easy for you to research and find the right book for your child.