How to Increase Children’s Interest in Reading?
Margaret Fuller has justly said, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” Remarkable leaders have countless exceptional habits - one of them, is reading.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Snehal A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Brain Development
Just like any other muscle in the body, the brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy, so the phrase “use it or lose it” is particularly apt when it comes to your mind. The more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are to tackle any challenge you’ll ever face. Good readers excel at life, conversely those that can’t read end up in dire circumstances.
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers. I love reading both because it’s enjoyable and it plays a critical role in helping me become a better leader.” are the words of Harry S. Truman.
If you want to be a well-rounded human being capable of holding a conversation on a variety of topics, you need to be a reader. Books are there to open the world up for us; to take us out of our environment and show us the realities of others out there. Some books have the power to change your mind and outlook completely.
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Benefits of Reading
The more you read, the more your vocabulary improves. The more your vocabulary improves, the better you can express your thoughts and feelings. Reading helps develop analytical skills. Reading keeps the brain’s memorizing ability in practice.
“The man who does not read good books is no better than the man who can’t.” – Mark Twain.
Children can become members of the local library and bask in the glory of the countless books available there for free. Libraries have books on every subject imaginable, and since they rotate their stock and constantly get new books, they will never run out of reading materials.
“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
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Parents Role
Teaching a child to read books is one of the most important skills we can give them.
Parents should begin reading to the child when they are very young. And put books around the house and keep them within easy their reach.
Be a reader to grow a reader. Especially when they are young and so impressionable your child will value what you value. If you place importance on the frequency and pleasure of reading, you have a child who loves to read.
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Most libraries have several different story-times, specially programmed for different age groups they will have activities that are great for fine motor skills and print awareness. Librarians have been trained and educated to understand reading needs and are familiar with child development, current trends in children’s literature and the educational needs of young people.
Put limits on screen time. Your child may not automatically pick up a book and spend the whole afternoon reading, but by limiting their time gazing at a screen, they will have developed the ability to concentrate on words on a page — vital for healthy brain development.
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As soon as they can write their names, get a library card. It will give your child access, ownership, and ability. The confidence a preschooler will gain by choosing a book and then going to check it out all by themselves is priceless.
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