Topic - Help your Child to Develop the Habit of Reading Books

It is said, books are our best friends and every parent wishes to see their child in the company of books. It is essential children build this habit earlier on in life for it helps them in building their imagination, improving their thinking and language skills, enhances their vocabulary. The benefits are endless, however, not every child develops this habit and hence it has to be nurtured by creating the right environment.

Listed below are some ways in which you could manoeuvre your child's interest in reading books.

1. Introduce a variety of genres to them such as contemporary fiction, mystery, historical fiction, fairy tales, fables, folktales, fantasy, traditional literature, biographies, autobiographies etc as this will provide them a wider range of selection.

2. Having a family reading time together. Set a time of the day for it.

3. Read along with your child. You could ask your child to read a page, while you read the next, followed by a discussion about it. This will not only help you in building a bond with your child but also help them in communicating their thoughts.

4. Talk about a book or story they have read. Ask them what they most liked about it.

5. Pick a book and talk about the cover to create interest in knowing more about it.

6. Opt for a library membership and encourage your child to select the books. It will surely build their interest in books. By doing this you are also providing them with an opportunity to make choices.

7. Visit book fairs when possible or just take your child out to a book centre to spend time. This is a good way to introduce them to the world of books.

8. Encourage your child to join the Book Club at school.

9. Children love to receive presents. You could gift them books and take it a step further by asking your friends and relatives to gift books rather than toys.

Help your child grow into the world of books.