This post is sponsored by JORD Wood Watches
Story time is one of my favorite parts of the day. It’s quiet time that I get to spend focused on my children one-on-one and is quite the bonding experience for us. I love how excited they get when they discover new favorites and I love that I can share a passion of mine with them. However, sometimes they aren’t as interested in reading as they normally are and sometimes I notice that my little guy has no interest in picking up a book on his own to “read”. It’s normal for children to not always want to do their daily reading and some children just aren’t as interested and that is fine.
However, we know that it is important to their success at school and in so many areas that they get their 20-30 minutes of reading in as often as possible and there are things you can do as a parent to help foster an environment that entices kids to discover the adventures waiting for them in reading.
Here are some ideas to encourage reluctant readers to take time to read and to help keep little bookworms moving along. These are just a few things that I have found help my littles to be more likely to pick-up a book and enjoy it and I hope that you find them helpful as well.
LET THEM CHOOSE BOOKS ON THEIR OWN
You have probably heard the phrase that “if they help make/grow it then they are more likely to eat it” in association with food. Well, to an extent I feel that the same is true with books. If they get to be the ones to go to the bookstore or library with you and have a say in picking out a book they are more likely to take ownership of it and be interested to see what it says.
FIND BOOKS TO INTRODUCE TO THEM
I also believe that it is equally important to have a few books that you can choose and introduce to your children. Chances are, especially with very young children, you understand which books are on their reading level a bit better, which books have higher quality content, and which books may match their interests. With my toddler I simply pick a bunch of books out for him at the library to read to him. With older kids you may want to just try leaving a new book on their bed or desk as a pleasant invitation to read.
HAVE BOOKS OUT WHERE THEY ARE SEEN
If books are around, they are more likely to be read. If books are seen, they are a reminder to read. If books have a prominent place in your home, it sends the message that they are important. Simple. Again it’s kind of the same as it is with food. My mother always thought it was amazing that if she had a bowl of sliced watermelon on the counter they would quickly disappear, but if she kept them in the fridge they would go uneaten and often spoil. So funny, but true.
HAVE A DESIGNATED READING SPOT
Having a designated reading spot is a wonderful invitation for kids to sit down and enjoy a good book. It doesn’t have to be big and fancy, just comfy and relatively quiet. We have a big cozy chair that we like to do most our reading in that sits right by the bookshelf.
KEEP THE BOOKS ROTATING
When you have a selection of books out, be sure to rotate them and stock new books often. This is where the library is your best friend. My toddler easily gets bored with a stack of books if he feels it is the same stagnant stack as always. When I switch it up he is more interested in checking it out for something new as opposed to not even looking through.
LET THEM SEE YOU READING
A lot can be said for modeling. An awful lot. If your children see you enjoying books they are more likely to pick one up and give it a try. Sometimes it can be hard to make the time to read yourself, but it is not only great for you, but for your kiddos too.
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