Ways to Instill the Habit of Reading Books in Children

Why is Book Reading Habit So Important in Children

When the positive effects of reading books on children are evaluated , it is aimed for them to have a rich thinking structure. Children who read books develop vocabulary. Children gaining the habit of reading books also activates different parts of the brain. This enables the development of processes such as permanent learning, establishing cause and effect relationships, and making sense of what is read. Reading books provides advantages not only in children's school life but also in their daily life.

Parents who ask how to inculcate the habit of reading books in their children should first be aware of why this habit is so important. When we consider the habit of reading books, the following advantages will come to the fore:

●     Supporting children's language and vocabulary development,

●     Learning grammar rules directly through regular reading,

●     Expressing yourself fluently,

●     Imagination and nurturing of creativity,

●     Supporting creative thinking with the practice of visualizing the events in the stories,

●     Children's ability to share the same emotions with different characters and the development of empathy skills,

●     Increasing focus and concentration time,

●     Development of critical thinking skills,

●     Increasing academic success,

●     Development of reading comprehension skills.

10 Effective Ways to Instill the Habit of Reading Books in Children

Instilling the love of books in children is a fun and patient process rather than a challenging task for parents. While children are gaining the habit of reading books, it is possible to make this process fun in different ways. We can discuss 10 effective methods for children who want to gain the habit of reading books.

1- Be a Role Model

Children should spend time with you during reading hours. Being interested in technology during the hours when you tell your child to read a book, or not reading a book at all, prevents you as a parent from gaining a permanent reading habit.

2- Make Reading a Routine

Reading a book should be at a certain time of the day or in an allotted time during the week. The child should not be interested in any other activity during the time devoted to reading books. If the child adapts to this routine by being away from digital technologies and meeting his basic needs such as eating and drinking, he will also stay away from side elements that distract him.

3- Let the Child Choose

Deciding what children will read during reading hours will be effective in helping them gain the habit. Even though your child has learned to read on his own, it is important, especially for younger age groups, that he decides on the book he wants to read and that you read it for him.

4- Choose Age Appropriate Books

Choosing age-appropriate books is very important in order to give children the habit of reading. Some books may be heavy for children. For this reason, choosing from the lists of books that should be read for each age group can be a guide for you as a parent when it comes to choosing age-appropriate books. It is possible to instill a love of reading in children by choosing age-appropriate books.

5- Do not treat reading as a reward-punishment system

Providing children with an education through reward and punishment in processes such as "If you read a book, I will buy you this" or "If you do not read a book, you will not benefit from this" will not make them gain a habit. In order for children to gain the habit of reading books, it is extremely important to turn it into a routine, without turning it into a reward-punishment method.

6- Plan Shared Reading Times

Planning shared reading times with children allows them to take you as a role model and makes it easier for them to establish a routine about reading. Hours devoted solely to reading help children establish a routine for reading. It will guide them to allocate appropriate hours for reading in the future.

7- Make Books Accessible

When asked the question "How to instill reading habits in children , one of the first solutions that comes to mind is to make books accessible. Having books in an order that children can access when they want to read a book will ensure that they can access the book whenever they want. In addition, in terms of providing books, buying them the books they want to read is a supportive attitude in helping them acquire the habit of reading. Of course, one of the things that needs to be done in this regard is to ensure that the content of the books is appropriate for the age of the children.

8- Balance Digital Content and Books

It is important to establish a balance between digital content and books when discussing ways to inculcate the habit of reading books for children. You can limit the use of technological devices such as tablets, mobile phones, televisions and game consoles to certain hours. In this way, it is possible to ensure that there is no technological device in the area that will distract the child's attention during the time allocated for reading books.

9- Make Him Explain What He Read

When considering the question of how to gain reading habits in primary school , it is important to ask the child to tell what he read. Explaining what they read allows children to concentrate on what they read. Children who tell you what they understand from what they read and the events that took place there approach what they read from a more careful perspective. In addition, he keeps track of how many pages he has read and can improve his attention by being aware of what is being said in the parts he reads.

10- Be Patient

It is a very wrong attitude to put pressure or make comparisons to get the child used to reading. As a parent, your approach to patiently instilling the habit of reading books in children is very important. While the ways to help children acquire the habit of reading books are listed, it is necessary to be patient in order to apply all the methods. This means great support for children who acquire reading habits at an early age.

Suggestions for Instilling Book Reading Habit in Children According to Age

Every child has a different level of learning and cognition. In order for children to gain a habit of reading books, it is important to establish appropriate strategies according to their age. At this point, it is necessary to address the question of how children acquire the habit of reading books according to age. Reading books provides advantages not only in completing schoolwork or academic success, but in many ways in real life.

Instilling the Habit of Reading Books Between the Ages of 0-3

The aim of this period is to introduce children to books. The aim is to make people love books by giving them a positive experience. The foundations of the love of reading are laid in this age range.

●     Planning shared reading hours with children as a role model,

●     Making books accessible, placing them in places that the child can easily reach,

●     Choosing books appropriate to the age, choosing from those with little text and plenty of visuals,

●     Making reading a routine, especially before bedtime,

●     Being patient and being patient even if the child asks for the same book many times

It is important to help children in this age group develop a love of reading.  

Instilling the Habit of Reading Books Between the Ages of 4-6

The period between the ages of 4 and 6 coincides with the time when children first become interested in stories. For this reason, the child feels a part of the reading action. The child begins to ask questions about what he reads.

●     Allowing the child to choose the book he will read or the book he wants you to read is effective in gaining the habit.

●     It is necessary to choose books that appeal to the child according to his/her interest.

●     It is important for children who see their parents reading books to read books in front of them as a role model.

●     Scheduling reading times with children is critical to doing activities together.

●     It is important to make book reading hours a routine during the day.

●     Reading books at appropriate times to facilitate learning close to sleep is effective in gaining the habit.

Instilling Book Reading Habit in Primary School Age 7+

It is a period of time when the child learns to read. In this regard, the development of critical thinking and comprehension skills in order to improve the child's vocabulary is also among the advantages gained in this age group.

●     Making him explain what he read and waiting for him to check his understanding from this point,

●     Limiting the use of technology in the balance of digital content and books at certain time intervals,

●     Allowing the child to choose novels, comics or informative books in line with his or her interests,

●     Choosing books that will not be too heavy in terms of vocabulary,

●     Creating regular reading hours that are not only homework-oriented but also a part of daily life

It is among the expected skills for this age range.

Common Mistakes Made While Teaching Children the Habit of Reading

There are many common mistakes that parents make when it comes to instilling the habit of reading books in children. Even if it is a well-intentioned approach, there may be difficulties in instilling the habit of reading in children at points that may have the opposite effect. It is possible to list the mistakes made to help children acquire the habit of reading books as follows:

1. Forcing the child to read by using reading as a method of punishment. “If you don't tidy your room, you have to read a book for an hour.” Punishments such as these are processes that push the child away from acquiring the habit of reading books. Reading should always be an activity that can be enjoyed.
2. It is possible to pressure the child into a process that is older than his age, that is not in his area of ​​interest, or that alienates him from reading. For this reason, the child's choice should always be respected when choosing a book.
3. Instead of saying "Read This", ask "What Should We Read?" This prevents the act of reading from being a one-sided instruction. Instead, it offers the child the freedom to make choices together. Choosing books together increases their participation in the process.
4. It is important to allow a child who has just started reading to make mistakes and not to get angry when he reads incorrectly. It is normal for the child to get stuck or mispronounce. Constantly correcting and criticizing reduces motivation. Patient listening and encouragement are essential at this point.
5. Instead of completely banning technology during reading hours, it is important to see technology as a tool that facilitates reading or to emphasize that this period is temporary.
6. Not being able to access enough books can be an action that discourages the child from reading when he does not have easy access at home or in the environment. Instead, keeping a rich and diverse library in easily accessible areas at home will give the child the opportunity to choose and will develop the habit of reading.

A Simple “Reading Habit Plan” That Can Be Implemented at Home

Gaining the habit of reading is a situation that ensures stability at home. It is important to have reading hours every day, preferably after dinner, and not to use a technological device during these hours. Opening a space for children, such as a reading area or a reading corner, is also among the methods that can be applied at home to help them develop reading habits. You can also help children get used to reading books by visiting the library or bookstore on a weekly basis.

Reading Habit Starts with Small Steps

Gaining a reading habit starts with small steps, just like a marathon. It is possible to increase children's interest in reading by using positive language to help children develop reading habits. It is important for children to grow up as individuals accustomed to reading, not only at home but also at school. At this point, ERA College,  attaches importance to the acquisition of reading habits in terms of its educational philosophy. Individuals who read are seen as a fundamental tool not only for academic success but also for the professions of the future, such as critical thinking, empathy and creativity.

It is possible to gain a reading habit within school through activities such as book reading clubs, author meetings or silent reading hours. At this point, ERA College supports the importance of reading books as a permanent character and intelligence development tool that supports children's cognitive development. In terms of gaining reading habits, it enables children to perform routine readings appropriate to their interests during activity hours.