5 activities to motivate children to read

motivate children

Motivate children to read from the first years is essential to strengthen a habit that favors the intellect and communication. Reading is a magnificent exercise that increases concentration, activates brain processes, helps to expand vocabulary and improve oral and written expression. In addition to the above. It brings many other benefits to academic and personal life.

Reading is a process of construction of meanings based on the interaction between the text, the context and the reader. The meaning, unlike what held the perceptual motor model of reading, is not only in the text, neither in the context nor in the reader. But in the interaction of the three factors, which are those that, together, determine comprehension.

As Oxford Learning specialists say, reading should be a celebration and not a frustrating experience. The key for motivate children to build this conception is to relate them to written language even before they learn to read. It is also necessary to take into consideration that each child processes the information and learns in a different way.

Why are some motivate children to read?

motivate children to read

  • Because they are seen as a mandatory task.
  • They have difficulties to understand what they read.
  • They think that reading is boring.
  • You have not found a book that interests you yet.

How can children be motivated to read?

Once you have identified the right way to approach your child and encourage him to read. You will know which of the following actions will be most effective.

Read as a family

It does not matter if it’s a cookbook, a children’s story book, the shopping list, the road signs or the map to get to a place. What really counts is that there is interest and that motivateĀ children learn to see reading as something necessary and important. The best way to motivate is to educate by example. And dedicate family moments to this activity.

Provides reading material

When children have different types of books and resources near them, at some point they will be curious to explore them. Make sure you choose texts with attractive colors and illustrations in the early stages. Then you can provide the children with stories and encyclopedias about the topics that interest them most and adapt to their personality.

Give appropriate use of technology to motivate children to read

With the current technological tools, the way children learn has been transformed. Although there has been talk of many negative effects of this change, you can also take advantage in the field of reading. A tablet or an e-book reader with interactive functions will be a striking means to generate motivation towards texts.

One of the great advantages of using digital tools is that they can be adapted to the needs. And preferences of each child. You can choose the number of lines you want to see on each page and the size of the letter. This is ideal for children who have special needs and who for some reason have difficulties with conventional books.

Shows interest in listening to children’s readings

The answer you give when your children read with you has a noticeable effect on the perceptions they develop. It is essential that you give them words of encouragement, feedback and ask questions to verify their understanding of what they have read. Allow them to choose books that interest them so that they see it as a recreational action and not as an imposed task.

Theatrical works

If you take your child to a play and then read the script as a family, the child will realize that the books have life. You can also propose that they create costumes and dialogues of a story to represent at home. You can do the same with lyrics, poems and comics.

If you want to enhance the cognitive, social and communicative development of your children, make reading a daily practice. Over time you will notice that children have better results in school, are more disciplined. And have enormous strengths in writing and verbal expression.

Zimiya Taylor

Learn More →