5 Simple Tips for Starting The Reading Fire In Younger Children
As parents, we all know that our children will benefit from reading. But many of us are sometimes discouraged by their indifference to reading. Some parents said to me their children even complain that reading is boring. To other parents, watching them sitting in front of a television or computer to play video games all day without learning anything is a heart-breaking feeling. Ever wonder how to go about starting the fire in your child’s heart to enjoy reading.
Here are the tips that some parents in my school have tested workable:
1. Help your child to Start from early age. As parents, 
we have to believe that children have a lot of curiosity in books. Books are attractive and reading is magic too. I found my kids once got books, they would flick open every page trying to find something interesting. Let your baby or toddler touch and play with books. Of course, there are many books are made up of plastic pages and they would not be torn apart easily. These are the foundation you build your child up as a reader.
2. Choose good books appropriate to their age and literacy level. Many children feel that reading is boring simply because they don’t choose the right book for themselves. Your child’s school teacher and local librarian would have a book list assorted by age and literacy level. Ask their advice and recommendations of some popular children books. They will introduce you some fun books that children would love. Having said that, you don’t need to be a prisoner of age related materials. Your child’s needs and interests are the ultimate criteria. Let your child chooses his/her books.
3. Make Reading Aloud enjoyable. Choose those books you also like reading aloud. Your enjoyment of reading become contagious and will develop a passion for reading in your child. Younger children like repetition. They don’t mind reading their favorite books over and over again. Assimilate reading with your child into your daily schedule, whether before bedtime, after meal time, or during waiting time. Be creative and flexible. You and your child can take turns to read it aloud. They just love it! It doesn’t need to take a long time to read and depends on how long your child wants to listen.
4. Talk with your child while you read. Conversation will keep your child engage in reading. And the communication will help your child understand the written words. For example, if you read The Three Little Pigs to your child. Encourage and ask some open questions like “What happened to the first pig’s house?”, “Who was your favorite character?”, and “Why do you think the third pig is the wisest?”
5. Be sure that your child has the opportunity to observe you enjoy reading. Don’t save all newspapers, magazines or novels until after your little one is in bed. Your child will “catch” reading is a part of your family and his/her life.
Cautions:
Every child begins to read according to his/her own timetable. Children will read when the time is right. Some children may be a “listener” longer than other children at their age. So don’t compare!