How to Create a Love for Reading in Your Child

It is a well known fact that reading is the key to learning. If you can read well the whole world is open to you. You can educate yourself about any subject that you choose. You then can discover new truths, by reading differing views and draw your own conclusions. Instead of accepting only what you have been told. Reading can take you places that you may never be able to travel to. Enjoy things that you may never be able to do. Through reading you can travel to exotic India and hike the ancient ruins. So of course as parents we not only want to impart this skill to our children, but to create a love for reading in them. And I have listed a few ways that we as parents can bring this gift to our children.

First, read to your children. I know that this sounds so basic and mundane, but it's simply true. Reading aloud to our children daily teaches them to enjoy hearing stories. And it also teaches them that entertainment doesn't always come from a television set or computer game. Visualizing a story in your head develops creative thinking skills and your child's imagination. The nightly bedtime story also fosters bonding and provides a calming atmosphere for sleep.

Read aloud as a family. Choose a book that will interest everyone, but maybe too advanced for your child to read alone. The Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder are a favorite of ours. Pick a comfortable area and enjoy the story together, like you would a TV show. And read as long as you all like. Little ones may get restless at first, but just gradually build up your time.

Another thing I love is books on tape or CD. Pop one in on a long car ride, and watch. Total silence! It provides a full hour of peace for a stressed family. No Johnny hit me, Bobby has my toy. Oh, it's wonderful. And it is beneficial for the children too. Books on tape are also better on your nerves than blaring music.

If you have a struggling reader providing them with easy to read books can be helpful. Reading with ease brings confidence and strengthens reading skills. As the child's confidence grows then gradually begin introducing little more challenging books. And rereading the same old familiar stories can be very comforting to a child.

And last but not least you read. You can be a good example to your children by showing them how much you enjoy a good book. If you read consistently in front of your children they will see the importance you place on reading. And the love of reading is a dear legacy to leave your children.