INSTILLING A LOVE OF READING IN CHILDREN

I believe we can make lifelong readers out of our children by creating a culture at home that supports a love for it. Here are three easy tips to get you started: 

1). Select texts that actually interest you. Why read books to them that completely bore you to tears? Your kids will sense your attitude and it will shape theirs. Right now, I have children's books checked out from the library about Leonardo Da Vinci, the first artist on the moon, the history of trees, and constellations... you bet my kids sense my excitement to read with them when I'm engaged, too. 

2). Keep books lying around. Books in baskets, crates, wagons, shelves... books, books, more books. You don't have to purchase titles to have a great home library. Check them out for free at the public library, raid your local neighborhood Little Free Libraries (of course, you'll want to replenish them too to keep the spirit of the system alive), find them at Goodwill on 1/2 of days, or ask for them as gifts throughout the year. 

3). Offer books more often than you offer screen time. Do you find yourself stuffing a screen in your child's face when they are bored/driving you completely mad? I get it, the temper tantrums and the fits of boredom can drive us all to tear out our hair. But offering a child a book to quiet them can be a powerful tool. 

Spending a few minutes sitting in our favorite chair with a few books, or a chapter, can reset our attitudes. It's a first rate way to explore the world and spend quality time together. I hope you'll find instilling reading is easier than you dreamt.