Developing A Reading Habit – By Alvira Diwan

How To Develop A Reading Habit In Your Child? – Written By Alvira Diwan

Reading helps a great deal in building your confidence, reduces the stress and puts you in a better mood.

Reading provides Mental Stimulation too, our brain requires exercise to keep it strong and healthy, just like all muscles in your body. Reading has been found to enhance connectivity in the brain. A decline in memory and brain function is a side effect of aging, but regular reading may help slow the process. Once you start reading books and make it your habit, you will eventually get addicted to it.

Developing a reading habit in child not only enhances vocabulary, but communication skills get stronger too. It also assists in molding child’s personality overall. When children are exposed to reading, their imagination increases promoting excellent writing skills.

Ways To Encourage Reading & Making It A Habit

• Create a Reading Corner in Your House – Choose the most peaceful side of home for this purpose. A bookshelf, study table &chair and a carpet with a couple of pillows would be sufficient. Take care of the lighting, it should be appropriate.

• Introduce Interesting Books – Children love colours, pictures and textures. Give them books with a lot of pictures initially, to develop interest. And then introduce books with more knowledge and content.

• Set an Example – If you are an avid reader and your child notices you engrossed in bools, he would be curious about it too. Reading together will also facilitate your bond and develop the habit too.

• Variety of Reading Materials – Don’t just emphasize on reading story books or fairy tales. Fantasy maybe charming but having a reality check is also essential. Ask them to read the newspaper headlines to you while you prepare breakfast. Encourage reading the signs when you travel. Slowly introduce different genres, it would keep your child excited and reading would never be boring.

• Visit Libraries or Book stores – Let your child explore variety of books. Make them understand which one is suitable for them, pick out the ones that catch their attention.

Developing good reading habits is vital to your child’s future not just academically, but in everyday life as well.

 

Alvira Diwan
Masters in Clinical Psychology

 

If you have any concerns or questions as parents, leave your comments below & Alvira Diwan will get back to you!