As parents, we understand that reading and writing are essential for the cognitive development of our kids. But, as we all know, kids these days do not like paying attention to anything outside of video games and social media.
Reading also opens up our minds to different versions of reality. Often, we, even as adults tend to get super fixated on our perspectives and forget that others might not agree with them. Being able to see, understand and participate in someone else's story(protagonist). Also builds empathy.
That’s not to say that people aren’t empathic if they don’t like to read. But, reading definitely helps with inculcating the ability to empathize with others.
Why is reading essential for kids?
Usually, protagonists are the center of a story. The supporting characters’ lives center around the protagonists.
In real life, though, every supporting character is a protagonist in their own story. We can teach our kids to understand and respect that by engaging with them using stories and illustrations.
Inculcating moral values is also a very confusing task for a parent.
They want the best for the kid. But how do you teach them what’s wrong and right? Yes, it’s wrong to lie but what makes it okay if an adult lies? How do you teach them how to handle moral conundrums? We can make the call while they are young. But, they are going to grow up sooner than we expect. What will we do then?
Using illustrated storybooks is the best way to do that. Alternatively, you can try using educational books designed for young children?
Please understand that your kid is not going to like reading at first. As a parent, it is your responsibility to engage your kid.
How To Encourage Your Kid To Read More?
Like I said, your kid is not going to like reading the first time you ask them to. Here are some tips that will help you engage your kids:
Read with them.
Kids don’t learn from what you tell them. They learn from what they see you too. This is why lecturing them about the importance of reading will not help.
Showing them the difference reading makes to your life will encourage them to follow their parents.
Use illustrated books
I can’t emphasise this enough. Though text can feel very dull, illustrations help kids visualize what's going on in the story. This will keep them engaged for as long as the book is in their hands.
Choose the right book
To choose the book that your kid will love, observe what they spend most of their time doing. What do they talk about? What do they love watching on TV/Mobile?
Can you find a book with a similar storyline? Unless your kid is not interested in the story, they will not be interested in reading the book.
As a parent, you most likely know what they spend most of their time on. So, this should not a complicated task for you.
Make sure they feel comfortable while reading.
If you want your kid to pay attention to reading, you have to make sure that they feel physically comfortable during it. To ensure that they are as comfortable as possible while on the road, make sure that you have adequate travel accessories for them.
It is common for children to feel agitated during travel because they are not used to changes. These accessories will help them stay calm and collected. This helps them stay attentive.
Ask open-ended questions
One of the best ways to engage with your children while reading with them is to ask open-ended questions. Ask them about the possible endings and their opinion of the character as you read the story.
As we mentioned at the beginning, encourage them to consider what the story might be from other characters’ perspectives, including all the supporting characters.
Overall, the key to helping your kids read is to read with them. Please don’t expect them to do what you o not do yourself. Children don’t learn from what you say to them. But, they definitely mimic what they see their parents doing.