How to Help Your Child Enjoy Reading

STEP 1: Buy them a book for their age level. Many authors cater to certain age groups and write specifically for them. Often you can just ask your local bookstore representative to recommend books for the age you're looking for. Once you find the suggested reading try to pick something that is geared towards their interests. If your child likes dinosaurs, look for a book that has a fictional story about dinosaurs. If your child likes princesses, look for a book that has a story about princesses. You get the idea!

STEP 2: Reward them for their efforts. When they start reading let them know that they are doing something good by rewarding them. You can give them praise, give them little treats or small toys, or whatever else you can think of to surprise them. Often they will soon learn the joys of reading in itself, but in the meantime it makes them feel good to know that if they do a good deed by reading they will possibly be rewarded later.

STEP 3: If you notice them struggling with reading, don't wait to get a tutor. Start now. It'll only get harder later on. Many times children won't like an activity because they aren't immediately good at it. If you can see they are having a difficult time grasping reading at their age level then maybe it's a good idea to start bringing in the reinforcements. Your child will thank you later.

STEP 4: Plan a special time for reading, maybe after school or before bedtime. Your child might not like this idea at first, but more than likely after a few urges in that direction they will adopt the habit and start enjoying it.

STEP 5: If you've tried almost everything and your child still doesn't like reading then don't push it. It will only make him or her dislike it even more. Perhaps they have to find some other type of reading material on their own that they like instead of having someone suggest something. Not all kids like to read though and that's okay. Just continue encouraging your child to be the best that he or she can possibly be.