One of the easiest ways to raise a reader is model your own reading habits. Click through for effective ways to set a good example and inspire in your kids a lifelong love of the written word.
Here’s the hard truth about parenting: None of us knows what we’re doing. We’re all just trying our best to raise good, well-rounded humans. It’s a tall order, but there is a secret you might not know if you’re new to this kid thing: Your child is watching your every move, and you can use that to your advantage.
Take reading, for example. You can beg and plead with your kiddos to pick up a book or magazine, but there is no greater, more effective tool than picking up a book or magazine yourself. They’ll start to see it as an activity you make time for in your busy schedule, and they’ll wonder what all the fuss is about. Anything that is important to you is more likely to become important to them.
Not sure how to start role modeling a love of reading for your kids? Keep scrolling for strategies to lead by example.
Build a Reading Routine
It’s great if you’re already doing story time before bed, but this type of reading routine is a little different. It’s more about everyone in the family enjoying some reading time independently. Maybe it’s right after dinner every night, or maybe it’s Saturday mornings after breakfast, but setting aside daily or weekly time for everyone in the family to open a book or magazine is a great way to show that reading is an important shared value.
Start a Family Book Club
Research shows that children who see their parents excited about reading are more likely to explore reading as an activity, too. One fun and easy way to share your enthusiasm for books is to start a family book club. Choose a theme each month and take a trip to your local bookstore or library to allow everyone in the household to choose a book or magazine, at their reading level, on the chosen topic. Give everyone a few days to read their selections and then schedule a time to chat about what you loved and what you learned from what you read.
Role Model a Range of Genres and Formats
Your child might not be into fiction. They might not gravitate towards chapter books. The trick is to find something that resonates with them. You can open the door to new reading experiences if you choose books that are out of the ordinary from your usual fare. Give a graphic novel a go (they’re not just for kids!), a comic book or a new type of magazine, or try non-fiction when you usually choose fiction. Be sure to share what you’re reading, to start your child’s wheels spinning on what might work for them.
Celebrate Reading Achievements
Make a big deal out of literacy milestones big and small. Whether it’s finishing a new book or trying a new type of reading material, celebrating these successes is likely to lead to more achievements in the same vein. You can also create a reward system (who can resist a sticker chart?) to keep track of pages or time spent reading. This isn’t just for kids, though. Add your name and your accomplishments to the chart too. This will show your brood that you’re serious about making reading a family affair.
It doesn’t have to be complicated to role model positive literacy behaviour. You don’t even have to be a big reader by nature to implement a few family-oriented activities that show your kids how wonderful the written word can be. Start small, with something that feels manageable, and work your way up to larger, more involved literacy activities. Every little bit makes a difference. And honestly? Words are awesome. You’ll probably find you enjoy the new-found reading time, too.
