We all know that reading is important, but it’s still easy to feel overwhelmed by its importance. Whether your child is a natural bookworm or not, encouraging a love of reading and hopefully developing some skills may feel more complicated than it actually is. But before you buy a bunch of phonics books or emphasize your child’s penchant for graphic novels (yes, those also count as reading), it helps to hear what actual librarians want you to do at home to help your child read.
Spoiler alert: No special products are required.
First of all, reading at home is always a cakewalk. It’s simple, easy to fit into your family’s schedule, and effective. “A bedtime routine of reading before bed is a great way for children to actively connect with books and adults,” Vanessa Iris Soto, youth services manager at the Hoboken Public Library, tells Scary Mommy. You model reading in a positive way, share it together, and don’t make it a “chore” or a big task that must be completed every day.
And when it comes to what to read, Soto says variety is key to fostering a love of reading at home. “Make sure it’s a topic that the reader will be interested in. Once you start reading regularly, you can introduce specific topics or subjects of your choice, but all books should appeal to your child’s tastes in the beginning,” she says.
She also recommends talking to your child and asking them what they want if you want them to get excited about the book they’re reading.
“When I’m not sure what to read to my child, I always ask them what they like: animals, vehicles, marine life, etc. Does your child like humorous books such as: Diary of a Wimpy Kidlike a graphic novel dog manor riddles like firecracker incident?Finding your favorite topics and genres will help you choose what you enjoy and will continue reading. If you want to foster a love of reading in your child, you can challenge them by adding titles and subjects you want them to read. ”
Because no matter how old your child is, it’s never too late to develop a love of reading. Even if they can’t get into the series you want, or prefer reading before bed, the act of reading is so important. And Soto says parents should feel empowered to use the library as a resource for their families.
“For young children and babies, participating in story time at the local library is key to developing a love of books and reading, allowing babies to associate books with sitting, focusing, and engaging with friends,” Soto explains. But even older children can learn how to choose engaging titles for themselves to read at home during story time sessions, she says. Pete the cat and his four lovely buttonsincorporates counting and singing into the story.
“Librarians are lively readers; they sing, dance, and play with their hands. Librarians can imitate the librarian’s style in families with children to make reading more engaging when reading with young children,” she says. So don’t be afraid to be silly, come up with a fun voice, and get serious about reading out loud with your family.
Finally, if you have older children who love to read but rarely read on their own, consider setting aside some family reading time.
Mary Beth Harris, a librarian in Arizona, said children often read more books at the library than after taking the books home because of the environment and atmosphere. “That’s why I suggest parents set aside reading time as a family. Everyone put away their devices, turn off the TV, eat a tasty snack, and sit together in a room and read. No one needs to discuss what you’re reading or anything like that. Just enjoy the moment together. You’ll become a bookworm in no time.”
