| Even though parents know the importance of | | | | and encourage interest in books. |
| reading and want that their child should take more | | | | Learn their interests |
| interest in reading they are clueless about how to | | | | In order to get the child hooked to reading it is |
| a love for reading in their children? How to make | | | | important for parents to know what interests |
| sure that their child is spending his or her child | | | | their child and to build upon that. Watch what kind |
| spare time indulging in reading rather than playing | | | | of books they pick when they go to library or |
| video games or watching TV? | | | | bookstore. If they have a particular hobby like |
| The process of inculcating sound habits like | | | | philately then get them books on that topic. It will |
| reading should ideally start at an early age. | | | | not only increase his interest in his hobby but |
| Preferably when the child starts his or her play | | | | after reading about his hobby as a book he will be |
| school and since children learn by imitating adults; | | | | proud and knowledgeable. He or she will be able to |
| parents should ensure that their reading is not | | | | hold conversations with others. Similarly if he or |
| suffered and that the child sees parents grabbing | | | | she is interested in Lawn tennis or any other |
| a book whenever they have free time at hand. | | | | games make sure to get the books on those |
| Here are few tested strategies that have worked | | | | topics to increase his or her knowledge and his or |
| wonders in getting a reluctant reader to take to | | | | her interest in the game. |
| reading like fish takes to water. | | | | Place for their books on the adult's shelf |
| Read aloud to the child | | | | Giving space on the parents' shelf makes a child |
| Initially children are reluctant to read alone as they | | | | feel important and he or she learn to be |
| are still struggling with some words. So in order to | | | | responsible about their books. It gives them a |
| keep their interest in reading alive; parents should | | | | sense of achievement to see their books lined up |
| read aloud to the child either at the bed time or | | | | with the books adults are reading. |
| whenever there is a free time. It is advisable that | | | | Collection of bookmarks |
| parents indulge their children with reading aloud to | | | | Parents should encourage their children to collect |
| the child if he or she comes across a book that | | | | interesting bookmarks with quotations about |
| has sparked interest in them. However if at times | | | | books and reading on them. Readily and freely |
| it is not possible then politely explain the child why | | | | available at bookstores bookmarks are the best |
| is it not possible now and that the mommy or | | | | way to keep the child learns interesting facts |
| papa will read it to them later. | | | | about books as well as reading. Parents can also |
| Fix a time for reading | | | | encourage children to make their own bookmarks |
| By fixing a time for reading which can be either at | | | | Encourage the child to write a gist or sketch a |
| the bedtime before calling it a night or | | | | scene from the book |
| somewhere after lunch there will be excitement in | | | | Another way of hooking the child to read is to |
| the child's mind that there will be a reading session | | | | ask him or her to write the review of the book if |
| which in his or her little minds is fun. Also since | | | | they are old enough and if the children are small |
| there will be a set routine the child will become | | | | and have a flair for drawing or sketching ask |
| used to it that he or she will always seek a book | | | | them to sketch a scene from the book. |
| as his companion. | | | | Encourage them to write about their feelings while |
| Gift a book | | | | reading the book. How did they feel when |
| Do a favour to the child as well as to the world | | | | something happened to the character? Were they |
| by giving him or her books as gifts. For good | | | | sharing the character's joys and sorrows? |
| results in school, for anything he or she does well | | | | Discuss the book during mealtimes |
| reward them with a book and the child will always | | | | Discussing a book during mealtimes is a good way |
| be grateful that he or she was introduced to the | | | | to get your child hooked to reading. Ask the child |
| wonderful world of books at such an early stage. | | | | what are they reading or what are they planning |
| Also ask the relatives to bring books as a gift for | | | | to read and what was the most striking part in |
| the child rather than meaningless toys. However | | | | the book that they have read recently. It will |
| ensure that the relative has a good knowledge of | | | | keep the spark alive and children will be |
| books and has love for books otherwise it will be | | | | encouraged to read more to take active part in |
| a waste of time and money. | | | | the discussions. |
| Visit to library or bookstore | | | | Spread the reading material all over the home |
| Plan a visit to a nearby library or a bookstore and | | | | Another way parents can get their child to take |
| let your child choose his or her books. Get them a | | | | interest in reading is to spread the reading |
| library card and tell them that they can borrow as | | | | material all over the home. The reading material |
| many books as they like but that they would | | | | can be books, brochures, magazines and parents |
| have to return them after two weeks. This will | | | | can take it from there. Notice what sort of |
| encourage the child to become responsible | | | | reading material the child picks up and discuss that |
| towards the books and also keep his or her | | | | topic with the child ask him or her if they would |
| interest alive. | | | | like to read more on that topic? |
| Encourage two way conversations | | | | Encourage child to read the signboards and |
| Encourage the child to have a proper conversation | | | | posters |
| with the parents. Parents can do this by asking | | | | Interest in reading can be created by encouraging |
| questions about the child's routine of that day. Or | | | | children to read signboards, posters while travelling. |
| if the child has been out doing something special | | | | Parents can also encourage children to read the |
| like going out for a movie with friends ask them | | | | labels of the food packets. Not only will it |
| how the movie was and what was it all about? | | | | generate interest in reading but also will make |
| By encouraging two way conversations parents | | | | children a vigilant customer. |
| will not only strengthen the bond with their child | | | | Lead by an example |
| but will also learn about his or her changing | | | | Finally parents have to remember that children |
| interests. Parents can encourage the child to write | | | | learn by imitating. So let them see you grabbing a |
| his or her own review of the movie and if the | | | | book in your free time. In other words lead by an |
| movie was made on the book then parents can | | | | example. And you will have a child who considers |
| provide the book to the child to whet his appetite | | | | books as his or her best friend. |