Out of all the types of media available for adults and children alike, there is still nothing out there that can even come close in comparison to the value of reading books. Books are still the greatest source available for facts as well as creative and imaginative stories.
Today’s children are growing up in a world where more information is being presented to them in forms like television, movies, and social media. These more recent types of media are beneficial in their own right, but do not hold the same value that books do.
Unfortunately, in the age of Tik Tok and reality TV, things are presented in a flashy way that grabs and holds a child’s attention. Most books do not move or make sounds like other media. Instead, the entertainment of a book comes from the words on the pages. So what is the best advice for getting children interested in reading when there are so many other forms of media that appear more exciting?
Bring Lots of Books Into The Home
Children who see their parents reading and making books a bigger part of his or her lifestyle rather than the television will be more accepting and interested in reading books as a whole. When they are accustomed to reading regularly, they are more likely to use books as entertainment as a result.
Make it a point to have silent reading time where all other types of entertainment are turned off. Encourage them to read as early on as possible, and tell them to let their imaginations play the story in their mind. Many classrooms may already be doing this periodically, so your children may already have an idea as to what silent reading time is.
Read Aloud, and Make it Fun
Other types of reading, such as reading aloud, is also encouraged. At bedtime, reading is a great way to get the whole family listening as a group to a single story or a chapter per night in a longer book. Make voices, take turns, and act it out. The more fun you bring to the act, the better.
Go to The Library
Going to the library regularly is a great way to encourage children to seek out books on subjects that they may be learning about in school, or ones that they have a personal interest in. Most libraries will also have a schedule of events such as literature talks as well as storytelling. These types of activities will encourage more interest in books when they are shared among groups with other children.
Making books a priority as a family is one of the best ways to get children to read. If books are not valued as important to parents, children may feel that reading is only something that you do when you have to rather than want to.
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