Hello everyone. Welcome to my website. In this blog, I will discuss 10 ways to inculcate reading habits in kids and the benefits of reading.

Encouraging a reading habit in your kid is not just about academic success, but also about intellectual and emotional development. As parents and carers, it is our responsibility to teach them good things and inculcate good habits. It’s better to start the reading journey at an early age. Starting with bedtime stories is a good idea. 

I introduced reading time in the first year to my daughter. By her 2nd birthday, I was taking her to the library and she would pick books of her choice. She developed the habit of reading a book before bedtime daily. It was her love for books that made me write children’s books and become an author. She loves reading so much that she is writing her own stories at this age and wants to become an author like me. I truly believe in the benefits of reading books to kids. Do you?

Benefits of reading

Research has shown that reading offers plenty of benefits for brain development. 

1. Reducing stress: Studies have found that reading for 30 minutes reduces blood pressure and heart rate. They help with stress relief.
2. Improving mental health: Reading relieves stress, improves sleep quality and mental health. It helps in reducing the symptoms of depression.
3. Improves memory: Reading books improves memory and concentration.
4. Cognitive health: Reading improves cognitive skills such as critical thinking, vocabulary building and imagination.
5. Improve physical health: Improving mental health and reducing stress benefit physical health too. It increases life quality and age.

Screen time guidelines

Screen time should be limited for kids as it impacts healthy development. According to WHO guidelines, kids under five years of age should spend less time on screens and sitting. We should encourage them to engage in  active play and quality sleep. 

Screen time is not recommended for infants below 1 year of age. Children in the age group of 1-4 years should not have more than one hour of screen time. 

Tips to inculcate a reading habit

Now that you know how important reading time is for your little one, check out these ways to inculcate reading habits in them. The first step is to create a reading friendly environment and reading schedule for your little ones. Try these to create a reading-friendly environment. 

1. 1. Set up a cosy reading space: Set up a cosy and quiet space where you can read with your kid. Ensure that the place is well lit with fewer distractions.
   2. Build a home library: Build a mini library at home with age appropriate books for your child to choose from. Try to create a diverse collection and keep updating it.
   3. Be a good role model: Children often follow their caregivers. So, we should be good role models for them if we want them to grow up as  responsible citizens. Engaging in books will arouse their interest in books.
   4. Create a reading schedule: Creating a schedule for daily tasks and following them from an early age is a good habit. Keep some time aside for reading and be consistent. Bedtime stories before sleep are an excellent way to end their day.
   5. Make reading fun: Reading should not be limited just to books.  Engage them with reading even when you are out shopping or in a park. When you are reading stories, try to make them fun by imitating noises and making the story session fun-filled.
   6. Let your kid take the lead: Let your kid choose which book they want. It can be books or any other reading material too. Encourage them to read on their own and help them out when they are stuck.
   7. Visit the local library: If you have a library nearby, try visiting regularly. Let your kids go through the books and choose the one they like.
   8. Limit screen time: Screen time should be limited as excessive screen time hampers the development of your child. Instead, use that time to read or play some games with your kid. Physical activity is equally important for your kids’ growth.
   9. Create a reward: If your child does not feel motivated to read, introduce some reward system to arouse interest in reading. Rewards can be in the form of stickers, playtime in the park or some board games.
   10. Join book clubs: Join book clubs where they get a chance to interact with others and learn new things about books with their favourite stories.  

Try to keep reading as fun and not a boring or forced activity. Start with 5-10 minutes of reading daily and then aim to increase the time slowly. It’s better to start in the early years. But it’s better late than never. Set realistic goals as per your child’s age and interests. Explore different genres which will provide variety and will not let your child get bored. 

Experts also recommend a book that is a part of a series as that will interest them to read more. 

Check out my books ‘Story time with proverbs’ series.

Check out my article ‘Why are books better than gadgets for kids?’

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