Raise Your Child to Be an Avid Reader

We all know there are many benefits for children who are avid readers. Unfortunately, many parents don't know how to get their child to become a reader, especially when there are so many other distractions in the form of computer games and cable television. Here are some tips to help you raise readers.

Start Reading to Your Child at an Early Age

Parents should start reading to their children when they are still infants. If books are a regular part of life right from the start then they will more likely remain that way. The benefit of reading to a young infant is that you can read anything. Read the newspaper aloud or the latest gripping novel that you can't put down. Infants like to hear your voice, so any reading material is good.

Allow Older Infants and Toddlers to Explore Books

Once a child is old enough to hold a board book in his hand, he should have a set of books that he has access to at all times. Board books with colorful pictures that can withstand some chewing are perfect for this age. Read the simple text and point to the pictures for your child often. Don't worry if the books start looking a little on the rough side. It's perfectly okay for toddlers to explore books.

Make the Bedtime Story a Nightly Habit

Each night, part of the bedtime routine should include at least one story. For a young child, a few short picture books can be read. For an older child, one chapter from a chapter book makes a nice bedtime story. Many parents make the mistake of discontinuing the bedtime story as soon as a child is old enough to read on his own. But, children whose parents continue to read and share stories are more likely to be life long readers.

Let Your Child See You Reading

To get your child to be a reader, be a reader yourself. Read various media, including newspapers, magazines and novels. Read often, especially when you know your children will be watching. Children are great imitators. If they see reading as a normal part of an adult's life, they will be more likely to emulate the behavior.

Take it one step further and be sure that a child is seeing his same-sex parent read. It is important for a boy to see his father reading since he will identify with his father and pattern his behavior after him.

Give Your Child New Books to Read Often

Books don't have to be brand new to be considered new. Any book that you or your child hasn't read yet is new, whether it comes from a bookstore or the library. The point is to continuously bring different books into your home. Let your child pick books out at the library, order from the Scholastic book orders that come home from school and surprise him with books as gifts.

For information on why it is important to read to your children read Ten Important Reasons to Read to Your Child.