Want to raise a Bookworm? Read this…

Imagine coming back from work every day to your child in a corner always reading like an angel. Isn’t it so lovely? Having a bookworm for a child is definitely every parent’s dream. Aside from turning your child’s brain into a super brain, reading improves academic performance, increases vocabulary, develops language and writing skills and even aids in emotional attachment. Truth be told, no matter how many times you wish for a bookworm, your kid will not turn into one overnight. No baby or child comes out with the tag, ‘bookworm’ or ‘reader’ on their foreheads – it is a habit that has to be cultivated.

Here are some interesting things to consider in raising your lovely bookworm:

Start early

There is no age too young to introduce your child to reading. Starting young is actually the best. Some moms and dads even read to babies who are still in the womb. Actually, the younger your children are, the more likely they will remain interested in reading as they grow older. For some of your toddlers’ first toys, you could get board books for them to flip through. Reading can be done even at day time and not necessarily at bedtime. Introducing the concept of books and reading at a very early age, reinforces the roots for the future reader. It’s time to read to the bookworm in your belly (for expectant mothers)!

Are you a reading model?

Kids usually like to imitate adults. As the saying goes, ‘children do as you do and not what you say.’ Let them catch you reading. In playing hide and seek, try making yourself findable in your reading space. According to parents.com, kids who grow up loving junk food do so because they grew up with junk food all around them.  In the same way, if you surround them with books, instead of video games, they will definitely love books. Worms beget worms, right? So, grab a book about your field of work or business, newspaper, or something that interests you.

Themed your cubbyhole?

A cubby what? A cubbyhole – it is a quiet, peaceful, and cozy area, specifically designed for your child for reading. Making one is not that difficult. Since children love to build forts, castles, and hideouts, a chair or two with blankets would do. What can make this more appealing is getting your child to choose the style, design or setting he or she wants. Themes could vary from a sunny beach day to a forest, castle or even outer space.

Have you tried bringing the book to life?

One of the reasons schools take their students out on trips is to make lessons more real and practical. It’s the same for your kids when it comes to reading. For example, if your four-year-old loves stories about the beach, you could take her on a day out to the beach. As you walk along the beach, you can make her search for things she saw in the book you both read. As the saying goes, seeing is believing (just don’t take them to the cemetery if you read about zombies)! Reading about history? Head to the museum. The bookworm in them will definitely come out!

Litter books around the house

From their bedrooms to the kitchen, near the dining area, the coffee table and even in the loo, keep the whole house stashed with books of every kind. With this, it would be hard to not find a book with an attractive title begging for a read. “Surrounding kids with books at an early age, gets them hooked,” says Alice Sterling Honig, Ph.D., a child development expert at Syracuse University.

Get a book that interests them

Yes, kids are to read wide to expand their knowledge but since kids will be kids, if it is not interesting, it will definitely be B-O-R-I-N-G. Buying books about cars when your child is fixated on airplanes may not be too good an idea. Instead, try getting storybooks about airplanes and the airport to build more interest. Reading along with them and asking questions about it also shows to them how interested you are in reading. So, hook them and get them reading!

Read every time, every day

The importance you attach to reading could be the same as the one you attach to teeth brushing at home. In fact, keep their rooms free of television sets if you want the reading habit to survive in your home. Per your schedule, reading time could be alternated once in a while instead of the bedtime norm.

Try switching roles during reading time. For example, if you read today, she can read the next day, if only she can by herself. Once children begin to read on their own, some parents stop reading to them. On the contrary, children still value the moments when you used to read to them, so don’t stop. Keep reading to them and with them no matter how old they are!!!

Raising a bookworm can be quite demanding but it is worth it. So dear parent, don’t be discouraged if you have not seen any results yet. To the exhausted mother who has read Little Red Riding Hood for the twentieth time, after a long day at work. To the daddy who sacrifices match days for visits to the library. Thumbs up, and keep up the great work. The sun will definitely shine after the storm!

And, to add some spice to the deal, don’t forget to visit our YouTube parents’ portal for amazing practical videos. Don’t forget to share with us your progress after trying out these tips!