Reading has so many benefits for the brain – especially for kids, who brains are still developing. Not only is it a fun pasttime, but it helps with vocabulary, emotional development, aids in sleep, improves mood, and reduces stress. Parents and teachers want kids to read, but sometimes it can be a bit tricky.
Walt Chantry is an avid historian, reader, and book collector. Today he shares his tips for how to encourage your family to read.
- Try to set time aside every day to read aloud to your kids.
- Read books yourself. Small kids especially want to mimic the things they see adults do. If you read, they will want to as well.
- If you have older kids, form a mini book club and vote on a book for the whole family to read together. That way you can discuss the books you read with each other.
- Visit your local library. Buying new books all the time can get really expensive, but your local library is a fantastic free resource. Often times they run events and activities for kids.
- Let your kids pick out what they want to read. If you try to force them to read a certain book, odds are they won’t want to. Encourage their interests and let them read what they are drawn to.