• Home
  • About Me
  • Work with Me
  • Advertising for Bloggers
  • Become A Subscriber
  • Freebie Library
  • Disclaimer and Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Main Categories
    • My Personal Journey
    • Minimalism
    • Self Care
    • Mental Health
    • Parenting
    • Teaching
    • Pregnancy/Babies
    • Books/Reading
    • Crochet
  • Gumroad
Tidbits of Care

Lifestyle blog for self care, mental health and personal growth

Parenting  /  January 17, 2022

How to Instil a Love of Reading in Your Children

As a lover of books and reading, and as a teacher, I always am excited about the idea of reading with kids. I love teaching reading and writing and my days as the teacher librarian were fun because there were students who would come into the library excited to read and would chat books with me. I also got to make recommendations and have kids tell me they loved the books I loved and that was just so rewarding and fun for me.

But, as a teacher, I also know that kids can resist reading. Some claim it’s boring. Or hard. And I have heard teachers bemoan that some kids never do their reading homework. And I know that some parents express concerns about their child’s reading levels and the fact that their child never reads.

So how do we, as parents, instil a love of reading in our kids? Because let’s face it, if you want to kids to really love reading and for it be a life long habit, then you as parent have to be involved in making that happen instead of relying on teachers to make this happen. Because we can’t. We can inspire, encourage and teach skills, but instilling a love of reading is beyond our ability. Some of us who love to read, and are readers, may be more successful than teachers who don’t read regularly themselves, but even so, I don’t have superpowers. Instilling a love of reading is something parents have to be involved in as well. So what can us humble parents do?

Read to Your Child from a Young Age

By this, I mean, you have a newborn, you read to that newborn. I know it feels silly, but you are exposing them to language which is great, and you might as well read to them as not because reading shouldn’t be something that starts once school starts. Read to your baby and toddler. As a teacher, I once heard that a child needs a thousand hours of lap time reading (you reading to them in other words) to be prepared for reading in school. So yes, start with that newborn. Let them hold books, turn pages, ask questions. And read to them.

Be a Reader

If you want your child to read, and to love reading, you have to be a reader yourself. If you model reading (that is, sit and read a book) your child will see them as something interesting to do. Have a small (or large) personal library and read after dinner instead of watching TV, or on a snowy afternoon. Having books in the home encourages a culture of reading, the benefits of which can be measured into adulthood, according to studies. Children copy what you do, so if you read, they will do and this will have life long benefits.

Suggested for You: How to Instil Values in Your Children

DOn’t Make Reading a Chore

As a teacher, I hated the idea of sending home Snuggle Up books, little books that kids had to read every night with parents. Reading should not be a chore. It shouldn’t be perceived as homework. Of course, as a teachers we want to encourage reading, but I felt like this practice was working against us. And reading. So don’t make reading a chore for your kids. Instead, share a book with them that you love to read and read it together. Have them chose books to read, or to be read to. It is perfectly acceptable to read to your kids even if they are still learning to read. They don’t have to do all the reading independently unless they are practicing. Reading ought to be fun, so don’t turn into a chore like putting their socks in the hamper.

love of reading photo of boy reading in bed at night
c

Give the Gift of Books

Make books special! Give them to your kids as a gift on special occasions, like birthdays or Easter. Tell them why you chose that book for them–was it your favourite as a kid? Did you hear that it’s the newest big hit like Harry Potter? Making books special makes reading exciting and fun, and kids are always interested in having fun. If your child has done something really well is another great reason to give the gift of books.

Talk About What You are Reading

Talk with your child about what you are reading. Maybe not some of the more adult content or concepts, but just generally. Talk about the plot or how the book makes you feel. If you are reading To Kill a Mockingbird for instance, you can talk about how some characters are treated unfairly and how you feel that they ought be more accepting. Tell your child you hope the story has a happy ending, or that people learned to be more accepting from reading the book. Share your favourite books with them and ask what they think. Engage with your child in reading in any way you can think of through discussion. This not only encourages critical thinking, but it also opens up worlds and ideas that kids will catch on to, that only be found in books.

DOn’t Censor Too Much

Don’t censor what you child reads too much. I mean sure, you might not want your twelve old reading romance novels with explicit sex scenes. I get that. But if you censor what they read too much, you’ll take all the fun out of reading. It’ll feel prescribed and who wants to read from a reading list anyway? And if everyone in their age group is reading The Hunger Games and you ban it, your child will no longer have something to chat about with their peers. Instead, take a controversial book like The Hunger Games, read it with your child, and discuss it critically. That’s the point of that book anyway.

Final Thoughts

I think that if you do all or most of the above that your child should become not only a good reader, but also a lover of books and even a bookworm. And that is truly exciting because books are the places and people we’ll never go or meet, the lives we can never live, the experiences we can never have. Unless we read.

Do you have any other suggestions for encouraging a love of reading in your child? Share below.

Related posts:

Thoughtful Christmas Gifts Your Child's Teacher Actually Wants
Why I Don't Share Pictures of My Baby on Facebook
Ultimate Guide for Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten

Tags:

  • hobbies
  • ,
  • parenting
  • ,
  • reading
  • ,
  • teachers
  • ,
  • teaching

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn
  • Pocket

Post navigation

How I Feel About the Latest Lockdown
Living with OTC Deficiency as a Female

Meet the Blogger

Hi! I'm Giulia
I write a lifestyle blog that seeks to inspire others to begin to their own journey into self care, one tidbit at a time. I am passionate about sharing my own journey from the last decade, and what I've learned along the way. I love chips and dip and Tudor ficiton.

Follow Me

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Ravelry
  • Etsy
  • Goodreads
Buy my product

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Translate

Topic Bits

I’m Looking For…

Let's Connect: Instagram

Today has been a wonderful, quiet day—after all the cleaning was done that is. I cherish quiet days. It’s nice to just melt into them and enjoy the sense of peace that comes with them. I love to read, or crochet on quiet days, or watch the baby as he plays. Who else loves quiet days? #tidbitsofcare #peacefulday #selfcaresunday🌸 #quietdayathome #lifestyleblogger #blog #selfcareblog #timetoreflect🙏
I really want to see green things and flowers again. We had a mild winter until March hit, then snow and wind and rain. I know it’ll be a while till I see green and springs blooms, but who says I can’t indulge in spring like things? Or delight in the longer days? It’s spring in my mind today. When life gets too blah, your imagination can really lift your spirits! Do you imagine warmer days, upcoming vacations or yummy dinners? #tidbitsofcare #selfcareblog #bloggerlife #springiscoming #spring2023☀️ #springtime🌸 #lifestyleblogger
Yesterday I ran errands and did some housework but I also got on me time and got my nails done. I’ve been doing more light, neutral shades lately. They just feel more me and more elegant. But if I’m in the mood, I splash into colour too! It’s all about just being myself. Because it’s okay to just be me ☺️ #tidbitsofcare #personalgrowth #selflove #selflovemoments #blogger #lifestyleblogging #bloggers #selfcareblog #bloggerlife #bloggerstyle
Life needs living. But each moment doesn’t have to be a blur. Take time to just be. It’s easier than you think! #tidbitsofcare #selfcareblog #personalgrowth #bloggers #blogging #blogs #bloggerlifesyle #bloggingcommunity #mindfulness #mindfulmonday #mindfulnessmoments
I try to live my best life everyday; be the best mama I can be, but also enjoy the little things, like these. What little things have you enjoyed lately? #tidbitsofcare #selfcareblog #lifestyleblog #bloggers #blogs #personalgrowth #selfcareispriority #selflove #selflovesaturday #bloggingcommunity #bloggerlife
Change is life, is living. #tidbitsofcare #personalgrowth #selfcarebloggers #selfcareispriority #blogggers #blogs #aspiringblog #selfcarepost #blogger #lifestyleblog

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to get more content and access to our freebie library.

    We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
    Built with ConvertKit

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

    10 Comments

    • Heidy says:
      January 17, 2022 at 10:59 am

      Good points. Thank you for writing this, I’ve been trying to get my daughter to read more. I had heard of a parent to paid their kids to read, what are your thoughts on that?

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        January 17, 2022 at 11:25 am

        Definitely not! I mean, then they aren’t reading for the love it, they are reading to get the money. Would only work for so long I think, and it makes it into more of a chore.

        Reply
    • Rocking Specter says:
      January 17, 2022 at 11:50 am

      This post is Great. Instilling a love of reading in our children is important. it teaches our children not only how to understand the world, but also how to think critically and learn. Another way to instill a love of reading into our children is to show them that information matters, and learning does not stop once they leave the classroom. Reading is one of the best ways to learn!

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        January 17, 2022 at 11:52 am

        Absolutely agree with this!! Thanks for that insight 🙂

        Reply
    • S.S. Mitchell says:
      January 18, 2022 at 7:41 pm

      It is so important to model reading for children, I believe that this can make the process more accessible and less daunting to them.
      S.S. Mitchell recently posted…How to reduce sugar intake right nowMy Profile

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        January 18, 2022 at 7:42 pm

        Very good point!

        Reply
    • The Doubting Thomas says:
      January 19, 2022 at 6:10 pm

      rEALLY VALUABLE POINTS TO RAISE HERE – I’M A DAD OF TWO AND BOTH OF THEM REALLY ENJOY READING WITH THE ELDEST AT 11 REALLY ADVANCING ON WHAT SORT OF BOOKS SHE READS NOW. I WON’T SUGAR COAT IT – I’M NOT A READER AND I’M NEVER GOING TO BE, BUT I REALLY ENJOY READING TO/WITH THE KIDS! WITH SO MUCH IN THE WORLD GEARED TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY, IT’S NICE TO SIT BACK WITH THEM WITH A BOOK AND IGNORE EVERYTHING ELSE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        January 19, 2022 at 7:18 pm

        I love reading with kids, they make the most interesting observations. Thanks for visiting the blog.

        Reply
    • Sarah says:
      February 10, 2022 at 8:52 pm

      Great suggestions! I don’t have kids yet but hope when I do to instill a love of reading in them. I have loved reading all my life, and will enjoy teaching them about it!

      Reply
      • Giulia says:
        February 10, 2022 at 9:02 pm

        That’s great! Reading is such gift.

        Reply
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

    ConvertKit Form

    I’m Looking For…

    Like My Facebook Page

    Like My Facebook Page

    Tags

    anxiety baby blog blogging blogs books christmas crochet crystals fall food gifts goals gratitude happiness haunted health hobbies home intentional living journalling life lifestyle love mental health minimalism movies parenting personal growth pets poems pregnancy reading selfcare self care shopping stress teachers teaching travel wedding wellness worklife writing yarn

    Archives

    • March 2023
    • December 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • August 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    © Copyright Tidbits of Care by LyraThemes.com. All rights reserved.
    Cressida Pro by LyraThemes.com