Here’s how you can inculcate a reading habit in your kids.

1. Babies listen to rhythm

From the day your newborn comes home from the hospital, you can start raising a reader. Young babies respond to the soothing rhythm of a voice reading aloud, as well as to being cuddled on a warm lap. If you make reading to your child part of your daily routine, they are likely to grow up looking forward to it.

2. Let them see you reading

Whether you love books, magazines or blogs, let your children see you reading. Kids learn from what they observe. If they see that you’re excited about reading, your children are likely to catch your enthusiasm, too.

3. Create a reading space

Your reading space doesn’t have to be big or have a lot of bookshelves. It can even be a corner of the couch or a chair in your child’s room. Picking out a comfortable spot that has good lighting and room to keep a book. This can help your children learn to connect coziness and comfort with reading.

4. Take trips to the library

The library is a great place to explore new books and authors for free. Many libraries also have story hours or other literacy programs for kids. These give your children a chance to develop good reading habits and to see other kids doing the same thing.

5. Let kids pick what to read

That trip to the library can be extra special when you give your children time to look around and see what catches their interest. They are more likely to want to read something they’ve picked out themselves. If you’re concerned about them finding the right reading level or a suitable topic, just give them a section of books to choose from.

 6. Find reading moments in everyday life

Reading isn’t just about sitting down with a good book. It’s a part of daily life, too. As you go through your day, help your children keep an eye out for “reading moments.” They may be as simple as reading road signs, charts or recipe.

7. Reread favorite books

You may get tired of reading the same story over and over again. But it can help your children become better readers. Kids like to spot things they may have missed the first time in the story or pictures of their favorite books. Rereading also gives them a chance to connect the words they see on the page with the words they hear. Eventually, your children may start reading the book to you!

8. Learn more about how kids read

You may not be a teacher, but you are your children’s first teacher. Knowing a little bit about what reading skills to expect at different ages can be helpful. You’ll be able to support their reading with suitable books. It will also help you know if they are not on track.

Source: Understood