How can I help my child to develop a love of reading?

Answer 1

Depending on the age of the child, you can always begin with simply reading out a chapter book to them. Look up any titles that both catch your interest or books that hold multiple stories. Many children based publishers provide books that have compiled various bed time stories into a set.

Children at times emulate those who are around them so if you wish to have your child grow fond of reading, try to incorporate reading into your day as well. Maybe create a space and time of day only meant to read a few chapters. It doesn’t have to be hour long sessions and never feel obligated to finish a book if it doesn’t catch the child’s attention. Reading is a way that enriches the imagination and allows you to see so many worlds. Even if it’s you reading a biography or magazine on your own as your child spend time reading their own book, this builds a sense of a quiet environment solely meant to read. You can set guidelines for this reading time, such as no phones or electronics, no television or radio unless it’s to set a soothing music station to play in the background as you both read.

Answer 2

In order to help children develop a love of reading the most important thing is to use a personalized approach.

Children learn in many different ways so it is important to know your child's predominant learning style. Your child might be a social learner or an independent learner.

1. If your child is a social learner, read to and with them and have discussions about the book.
2. If your child is an independent learner, model reading and thinking out loud about the book to them, let them read by themselves and periodically check on them. They can talk to you about what they read or they can create a poster with drawing about the book or any other kind of presentation.

Other learning styles are:

1. visual: learning through visual images and symbols (in this case I suggest focusing on picture books, comics and graphic novels)
2. auditory: learning through listening and speaking (example: listening to an audiobook, reading aloud to them, taking turns to read and having a discussion about the book...)
3. kinesthetic: learning through movement (example: reading with the purpose to act on a theatre play, go on a field trip to a museum an read information while exploring the items in there, reading instruction to build things or to do an experiment, following a recipe to cook a delicious meal...)

Last but not least, be sure to go to the library or book store and let your child explore the books there. I recommend you pick up books based on the topics they are interested in.