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If your child is spending more time staring at a screen than a book, here are 4 ways you can change that
4 October 2018
| Last updated on 4 October 2018
As your child is growing up, they are gaining and grasping information from everything and everyone around them.
That can be a good thing if the information they are receiving is that of quality standards, but the more time they spend looking at a screen and online, the less control you have over what information is reaching them.
It’s harder to make sure that their “online” time is filtering out unsuitable information for your child. And being a parent, you also want to give them some sort of autonomy over their own decisions.
However, the ancient method of gaining knowledge hasn’t expired just yet – giving your children books instead of tablets can help ensure what kind of information is being absorbed.
Not to mention books can aide in a child’s writing comprehension, creativity and understanding.
So here are 4 subtle ways you can encourage your child to read more
1. Be consistent
Just mentioning the need to read here and there will not give you the results you desire – being consistent is key.
If your child is still relatively young and you’re still reading their books for them, then don’t be afraid to read the same books more than once. Especially if your child is enjoying it – they’ll start to take an interest in reading.
And if your child is a bit older, try buying them a new book every few weeks. This will grant them a deadline to finish their old book to start the new one and before you know it, they would have adopted a routine habit.
2. Figure out what they like
Actually listen to what interests your child, if they like to read about cars, animals, fiction or non-fictional stories then that’s what you can start with.
Don’t try to impose your interests on them, which might just put them off reading if the book is boring. Instead, work with that they are starting to develop an interest in.
Buying them a book of their liking can also be a good conversation starter at dinner and who knows, you might even learn a new thing or two!
3. Choose engaging books
If your child is still getting in the habit of holding a book and doesn’t enjoy reading as much, then don’t sweat it.
Books come in all different shapes, sizes, types and colours – so just opt for a more engaging book to get them used to habit.
Opt for books that have games, like dot-to-dot shapes, tracing games, puzzle books etc…and this can become their source of entertainment instead of watching the telly.
4. Make reading accessible
Having the books propped up on a mantel just for show will never interest your child if they’re not in reach to explore them whenever they want.
The books your children like to read should always be accessible to them to grab and read again, or in an area that encourages them to read – perhaps a cozy corner in the house that they can sit in and zone off with their book for an hour a day.
