Fostering the Love of Reading

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!" - Dr. Seuss

We all know that reading is foundational for education. Not only do children who are avid readers have a large academic advantage over their counterparts, but those who love to read are much more likely to turn into lifelong learners. But it’s not always easy to foster the love of reading!

When reading is an enjoyable part of everyday life, children will develop positive attitudes about reading. Here are some ways that have encouraged my 6-year-old to take to reading.

TAKE THEM TO A LIBRARY

Visiting a library with your child is a great way to encourage a love for reading. Libraries provide open access to a great variety of high quality, selected resources, information, and tools, in all formats including digital.

Many libraries offer programs and events specifically designed for children, such as storytelling sessions, book clubs, and workshops. These activities make reading a social and enjoyable experience. For example, apart from a vast collection of books, what also attracts families to the Old Library in Dubai, are the regular storytelling sessions. In Singapore too, the National Library Board (NLB), has a reading program called Book Bugs that utilizes a collectible card game to encourage children to visit libraries and read more.

Digital resources in libraries attract children’s interest and attention. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library (MBRL) in Dubai is a great example of how technology is being used in libraries to encourage reading, especially among children in UAE. For example, the library provides a robotic storytelling service for children. A robot combines a digital picture book with added robot voices and body postures/movements that match the mood of stories. In my article on ‘Why your child needs to go to a library?’, I present some tips on how to encourage library visits in your family.

READ TOGETHER AND LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

According to experts, reading to a child 15 minutes a day, from birth on, will give the child the skills needed to become a proficient reader.? Fifteen minutes a day – it’s as simple as that! There is ample research that highlights the benefits of shared reading. In a research report I prepared for the Office of Education Research, National Institute of Education, Singapore, showed that shared reading with parents at home encourages language and literacy among children.

Shared reading is also a special bonding time between adults and children. The warmth and intimacy of this experience create positive associations with reading. And, when children see adults enjoy reading, they are more likely to emulate the behavior. Parents and caregivers can serve as role models by demonstrating their own love of reading.

There’s no one right way to read to your child. You can read to them in any language, or multiple languages. You can do it at the same time every day or change the routine. I read to my 6-year-old whenever I can, usually we read together at night just before she sleeps. The important thing is for your child to hear words and language and to have reading be part of their daily life.

USE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO READ

Assistive technology for reading is inexpensive and easy to find. These include apps, audio books, augmented reality books etc. Research has shown that digital storybooks that animate can sometimes encourage reading habits more than traditional books. This is because a well-designed animated eBook can stimulate readers' visual, auditory, and even kinesthetic senses. In my recent article, I share instances where such technology, when used appropriately, can facilitate shared reading, and contribute to a child’s overall development.

What particularly attracts my 6-year-old to the library in the Khan Academy Kids app is the ‘Read to Me’ feature where the story will be read aloud, and the text will be highlighted at the same time. Schools have also started using apps to encourage reading habits. Gems World Academy, Dubai, uses an app called the Bug Club for their early years program, which is a reading program that combines over 500 finely levelled books with interactive eBooks and an online reading world. Books are allocated for home reading and teachers assess students’ progress instantly. Parents are encouraged to use the program at home, after school, along with their children.

My 6-year-old is also fascinated with augmented reality books. In AR books, the physical pages of the book contain markers or triggers that, when viewed through a device such as a smartphone or tablet equipped with a camera, initiate digital content such as animations, videos, or 3D models. This blending of the physical and digital worlds creates a more immersive and engaging reading experience for her.

LET THEM PICK THEIR BOOKS!

Letting your kids read what they enjoy the most is just about always a good idea. When kids get the chance to follow their own interests, they internalize that reading is fun and rewarding, and they’re more likely to pursue reading on their own. This applies even for preschoolers and toddlers who want to read the same book on repeat. That repetition is part of how they master language.

My 6-year-old chooses her own books (of course after being vetted for age-appropriateness), as a result she loves visiting libraries and bookstores. She enjoys reading what she picks as it’s of her interest and looks forward to reading them quickly as it means getting another chance to re-stock! Her choices change with time, as she picks books based on her current favorite interests.

GIVE THEM READING MATERIALS THAT AREN'T BOOKS.

When we think of reading, most of us immediately think of stories, especially books. But there are many other types of reading materials that children can use to practice their developing reading skills.

Reading about current events in age-appropriate publications such as newspapers and magazines can help children become more aware of the world around them. If you are worried about exposing your child to news articles about crime or traumatic events, choose a local community newspaper or give your child a specific section to read that you've already vetted. Other interesting reading material can be manuals, poetry, encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, travel brochures etc. Try these creative ways to use all kinds of print to read with your kids.

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Whatever approach you may use to encourage reading in your child, the most important thing to remember is that reading should be an enjoyable experience. Make reading a joyful and exciting part of your child’s daily life. This helps them build positive associations with reading!

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