How to get your children interested in reading

National Book Week is from 2 to 8 September. This initiative is meant to inspire the nation to value reading as a fun and pleasurable activity. Here's how to get your children interested in reading.

September 3, 2019

Caxton Central 2 minutes read

Did you know that 78% of grade 4’s are not able to read with meaning? This can change if parents get more involved in their children’s reading behaviour by making it fun and interesting.

Reading can help with cultivating your children’s mental capacity, and assist with making them more aware of the world. Not only does reading help your children have a platform to channel their creativity, but reading helps with reasoning and vocalisation.

It can be a bit of a struggle to get your youngsters to read, so why not make it fun for them? Celebrate National Book Week by committing to some of these tips, which can help spark your children’s interest in reading.

Make reading time a ‘fun time.’ If you associate reading with entertainment, then your child will look forward to it. Let them choose when and what they want to read and let them have their favourite snack while doing that. They will see reading as more than just a sense of duty.

Let them choose the book they would like to read. Aligning the content they read to their interests always helps get them excited. This should not place limitations on the genre, but giving your children choice will help make it interesting for them and you.

Read to them and read together! When a child gets their hands on a book, what are the chances that they will read it when nobody offers them support? Getting involved in your children’s reading behaviour means being present. If you are unable to do so, sign them up for a book club if they are old enough, try out a tutor or get a family member or friend to assist.

Have fun! What is the point of reading if you and your children are not having fun? You can do this by imitating the characters or reenacting scenes from the book, talking about the book and even associating some characters with real-life characters.