Love Your Children by Reading to Them

As a parent, you know the importance of preparing your child for the world. One of the most important jobs a parent has is to instill the love of reading early in a child's life. With the basics of reading, a child's mind will grasp a better understanding of writing, language and logical thinking. Stories can light the spark of wonder in a child's imagination, but sometimes getting them interested enough to sit still takes some work.

There are several ways to get a child to settle down and listen. One way is to set aside a specific time each night and keep the room quiet with dim lights so it'll be a relaxing atmosphere conducive to listening and enjoying the time together. It should be a bonding experience between parent and child, something the child will look forward to. This is especially true if there is more than one child in the family. While it may not always be possible to get one child alone, once in a while, the one on one is very important. The other times, a family reading session will also provide some special time.

While there are a vast number of books out there, personalizing a story will really grab a child's attention. If you can't make one up, then simply replace the protagonist in the story with your child's name. This brings the story to life and places the child right in the action. Just make sure it's not a story with an unhappy ending or where the main character gets into some sort of trouble, otherwise your child could get upset. Many fairy tales are actually quite violent, so make sure you read the story first to avoid any unpleasant situations. Most modern stories and books are a lot less violent than the classics, so keep that in mind when looking around for stories.

Another fun way to involve your child in reading is to have them, once they're old enough, to start reading to you. Most children love this and the more praise you give them, the more they'll want to read. It's also an excellent way for them to learn a larger vocabulary and spelling. Some children are very creative and will enjoy making up their own stories. If your child is one of these, let them have fun and create their own story, or take turns making up the next few lines of a story. An imagination should be nurtured, in you, the parent, as well as the child.

Whatever you decide, simply taking the time to spend a few minutes each day with your child will make a world of difference to them. As children grow, they need that special interaction to let them know they are loved. As a parent, not only are you showing your love, but you're teaching your child to joy of reading.