How To Develop The Reading Habit In Kids

By Kent Johnson

Not all habits are bad. In fact, when it comes to things like reading, habits can be a very good thing. But
unfortunately, just because a child has the ability to read, it doesn’t always mean they’ll develop a love of reading--or even a strong interest in the activity. Reading skills and an interest in reading are really two different matters, and have to be addressed separately.

Okay, let’s say your child has decent reading skills, and can read at a level at or above their age group. But the problem is they’d rather play video games, or play with toys, watch television, or a movie, or play outside with their friends. And there’s nothing wrong with any of those other activities, if pursued in moderation. The problem with most children in today’s media-driven society is that many of them would rather do almost anything than crack open a children’s book and read.

One way to get children to read more is to make the activity fun. Instead of drudgery, or some kind of school homework, make reading a game, an exciting adventure. Make it something that they can share with you, the parent, and use it as a way of spending more quality time with your kids.

I can remember in my own childhood, going on field trips to our local library, where we would all crowd onto a “magic carpet” in front of one of the seated librarians. Hushed, we would sit cross-legged, eyes closed, and let our imaginations run wild as we listened to exciting tales of far-off lands and hair-raising adventures. I can still vividly remember these library field trips, and how they fostered in me a love of language and the written word.

So why not do this in your own home? Assemble your children on the livingroom floor--along with friends and other kids from the neighborhood--and force them to close their eyes while your read a story to them. They might rebel at first, or think the whole activity “stupid,” but you’ll be amazed at how they’ll grow to enjoy it after a few minutes. If the story’s good, and keeps their attention, you’ll soon find yourself reading to a group of mesmorized children who are hanging on your every word, and who can’t wait to find out how the story “turns out.”

Another way to foster interest in stories is to dramatize them. For example, if the story is about a prince and a princess, you can take the role of the prince and have your daughter become the princess. Other children can take supporting roles, or act out the parts of animals in the story - with roaring, barking, and other sound effects to match. It’s amazing how enthusiastic kids become when they’re acting out parts in a fairy tale or other children’s story.

Reading your children bedtime stories is another way to foster a love and interest in reading and literature. Make the experience more interactive by asking your child questions throughout the story, and inviting comments about what’s happening in the storyline. Don’t make it a passive activity - force them to think about what they’re hearing, and the life lessons that are embedded in most children’s books.

And lastly, make sure there are children’s books around the house, and especially in your child’s room. Give them as gifts instead of toys--at least part of the time. And let your kids see you reading, and how much you enjoy the activity, and encourage them to do the same. As we all know, kids are impressionable, and if all they see you do is watch television, they’ll think that that’s the primary leasure activity in life. So be a postive role model and set a good example by spending at least part of your free time reading a book, newspaper or magazine.

Even in today’s visual society, you can foster a love of books and reading in your child, and it’s a passion that they’ll thank you for as they grow up, get married, have careers, and start families of their own.