10 tips for raising readers

One of my favourite parenting accomplishments is that my boys share my love of reading, and so I want to share with you my 10 tips for raising readers.

There are so many benefits of reading for children – gaining knowledge, improving focus, memory, ability to empathize and communication skills - and of course it is a great form of entertainment.

10 tips for raising readers

So if you want to encourage your child's love of books, here are 10 tips for raising a reader:

1. Read from day one: Start reading to your baby before they are even born! Choose one of your childhood story books and read to your belly. Continue this routine with your newborns and babies. Readers are born in the warm laps of parents, listening to the soothing sound of books being read aloud.
2. Read favourites over and over again: Once your child falls in love with a book, they are going to want to hear it read again and again. And that’s quite alright - repetition is a big part of learning! Talk about the characters, point out small details in the illustrations, and maybe find other books by the same author.
3. Make books part of your home: Have an area dedicated to books - a basket, a table or a shelf – and use it every day. Allowing children access to age appropriate literature helps them appreciate the wonder of reading.
4. Read your own books: Actions speak louder than words. Let your children see both parents reading. Seeing others enjoying books as a genuine form of entertainment reinforces the concept that reading is fun.
5. Bedtime stories: Reading stories every night before bed is a great way to develop a love of reading. Even when your children become independent readers, there is something so special about sharing a story curled up in bed.
6. Join the library: Field trips are always exciting! Imagine visiting a place that’s filled with a variety of books and stories. Make visiting the library a part of your family’s routine. Library’s can also provide additional opportunities for meeting authors and illustrators, arts and crafts and group story read alouds.
7. Point out words everywhere: Words are everywhere in real life. Point out road signs, read the cereal box, try a new recipe or even turn on the subtitles on their favourite shows.
8. Let them choose: Give children the opportunity to choose their own books. There are so many options for reading material - fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, manga, magazines, recipes and much more. Let their interests guide them and see what sticks.
9. Bring books to life: Making real world connection to what they are reading is truly magical. Local authors are a great resource. Children love seeing themselves and their world in the stories they are reading.
10. Get help: Some children are just not interested in reading themselves and that’s perfectly fine! Read alouds and ebooks are great options. However, if you are concerned about your child’s ability to read or their development, consult with their pediatrician or teacher. Early expert intervention is always best.

Start early

As Dr Seuss said: "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”