More often than not, especially in today’s world, it can be a real struggle to get kids to be interest in reading. Considering all the digital devices and activities on them vying for your kids attention, how is a book (especially a paperback one) supposed to get them to stop and put down their device? The last thing you want to do is FORCE a book on a kid and make them read. Doing that will just make them dread reading even more. You have to make them WANT to read!
Read To Them When They Are Young
What better way is there to get kids, or anyone for a matter of fact, to enjoy doing something than to start doing that “something” with them when they are young? Plenty of moms start reading to their kids before they even arrive. Whether you start then or not, the important thing is that you start early.
The earlier you start the more animated and engaging your reading can be. Remember, in the early years, your child is not even going to understand what you are saying. Make this time as exciting as you can for them. Not only are you starting to build their love for reading, your are starting the development of their language skills. Enjoy this time you spend together, they may not remember it, but it is something you will never forget it.
Read To Them What Interest Them
Read something that bores you, and you will be snoring Zzzz’s in no time. Read something that interest you, and you will not put it down until you are done. Guess what? Your kids are no different. Do your kids enjoy a certain sport? Do they have a hobby they cannot get enough of? Do they have a wild imagination and enjoy magic, make believe, or fantasy?
Find what interest your kids and read it with them. Young kids are like sponges and will absorb everything you throw their way, if they find it interesting. As you read, discuss what is happening and how it might relate to things your kids do. Of course, if you are reading something about magic or fantasy at this point, you can have an amazing discussion with your kids and place yourselves in this imaginary land and explore.
Reading Space Reading Place
The wonderful thing about reading is you can do it anywhere. You can do it on a comfy couch. You can do it in bed or on the floor. You can read while inside, or outside. You can read at home, and while on vacation. Have your kids pick their reading space, so it is a place they feel is theirs and they will want to go to read.
All you have to do is pickup a book and read it when you have time. Get your kids to feel the same way about reading, especially if they are young. If you read before bedtime, take one of their favorite books with when going on vacation and keep your tradition of bedtime story hour.
The most important things is to have books available. It’s difficult to read, when there are no books around. The great thing about books is that they are usually pretty easy to find. Just about every town has this place called a Library. And what little kid does not like to own their very own library card? In addition to books, most libraries have activities and play areas. In addition to finding books to read, your kids can play with other kids and learn about things they may not otherwise have a chance to learn about.
The Benefits Of Reading
At the end of the day the most important thing is that you get your kids to read, and hopefully it becomes a lifetime enjoyment for them. There are so many positive benefits of reading. Reading to your kids when they are young will develop their cognitive powers, improve their reasoning, and intelligence. Ask any elementary teacher and they will immediately point out which kids were read to by their parents at any early age.
Reading teaches kids values, it develops their creativity and expands their imagination. It allows them to explore places they might otherwise not have the opportunity to see first hand. It improves vocabulary and communication.
“In fact, children who aren’t reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times as likely to drop out of high school,” Annie E. Casey Foundation study. Early reading improves emotional and intellectual intelligence, both of which will benefit your kids later in life when they have to express themselves to bosses and potential spouses. Okay, maybe we are getting a little ahead of ourselves.
The Creation Of Nuff Said Stuff
It all starts with a book! Well actually it all started with the thought of writing a book. For a long time I thought of writing a book about a young character, who tends to always get into a little trouble, before figuring out how to safe the day. After a little more thought a ‘play-on-words’ hit me, the creation of… “Nuff Said!” stuff was born.
Now my mission is to help young readers fall in love with books. To help shape the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. One book at at time, creating a brighter, funnier world! Hopefully, through my Nuff Said Stuff children’s book series I will help get kids interest in reading.
Deciding what to read next?
You’re in the right place. Especially if you are interest in finding some awesome children’s books to read with you children, grandchildren, young students, or just want to checkout a new self-published author you may not of heard of before.
Below is a sample of my Goodreads Author Dashboard. Check it out and see what reviewers are saying about my books.
I’m always adding to my list of books, but sometimes it takes time for Goodreads to get the updates. For the most up to date listing of my books visit my Nuff Said Stuff book site. You can also checkout my Amazon Author Page as well.
All my books are available on Kindle Unlimited and I often run free book promotions as well. However, when it comes to children’s books, nothing beats a paperback edition. Buy one today (it helps us starving artists) and please leave a review when you have finished reading the book or books of your choice.
Thanks,
CK