How to make reading fun for your child

How to make reading fun for your child

With World Book Day just around the corner, there’s no better time to embark on a new adventure, discover new worlds, and make new friends as you turn pages with your little one. Whilst reading can offer escapism, creativity and knowledge, we understand that sometimes reading can feel like a chore, especially when your little one is still learning, asking questions and stumbling over words.

If you think about it, though, this is all part of the fun, as you soak up knowledge and stories together, you never know where the next page will take you. If you’re looking for ways to spark creativity or to enjoy the magic of books with your child, read on. 

Reading nook/hideaway

First, how about creating a special space that’s dedicated to all the new lands that are waiting to be discovered. You could make a little cosy reading nook or hideaway with lots of cushions, blankets, fairy lights, and of course – a selection of books. Your little one could hide away in their quiet corner and draw, nap, read, or just escape. There’ll be no better place to enjoy the book they select from the £1 voucher offered from their school or nursery to encourage World Book Day reading.

Use puppets or act out the story

Another way to immerse your child into their reading, is for you to grab some of their toys, use puppets or even yourself to act out what they are saying. That way, as they concentrate on the words, the story is coming to life in front of them. They’ll be so swept up in narrating what’s going on, that they won’t be thinking about how hard they might be finding the reading itself. 

Change where you read – go on adventures

Reading on the sofa or sat at the table is fun and all, but if your child is easily distracted or not quite hooked on the story yet, you could go out and make it immersive. If it’s a winter book, why not get wrapped up and sit in the garden, or in the dark with a torch at Halloween, or you could even visit locations that are similar to those in the book, like reading Paddington at Paddington station, perhaps.

Rate the books 

Children love sharing their opinions, so why not make it a part of reading. You could do a simple thumbs up or thumbs down system after every chapter, or rate books with star stickers. Not only will this help you to find books that your child is more likely to enjoy, but you could also ask them how they would’ve finished the book – allowing them to explore their creativity and let their imagination and storytelling skills run wild. 

Make reading a reward 

There’s nothing that makes kids want to do something less than if it feels like something they have to do. It’s easy to say “no TV until you read a chapter”, in an attempt to encourage your little one to pick up a book, but giving them books as gifts or rewards will enforce the thought that reading is something fun and desirable. If a child picks up a book by themselves, they are far more likely to enjoy it. 

Leave them wanting more 

It’s been known that when reading aloud, stopping at an exciting part and reading it to yourself, can encourage a child to want to pick up the book and find out what happens for themselves. Why not try this and see if your little one tries to find out the rest of the story on their own, or even asks for you to read it? 

 

Note: This is a collaborative post