Aside from playing and running outside, another important activity that we must always implement for our children is reading time. It improves their vocabulary and reading comprehension. It also makes them understand and realize the different situations from the books that they have read and gain learnings or life lessons from it. Our family loves to gather around, grab a book, and then start reading. It is an absolute bonding and learning together. So, here, I will show you the basic important points for you to also start a reading habit for your children.
Our first point, set a time for reading. Look through your schedule and make sure that everyone is free and has no other things to do. You may also give them simple rules and regulations that they could always follow whenever it is reading time (like for example, 'no cellphones during reading time.'). Make it also a routine for them.
Second point, reading nook. It is probably interesting and fun if you give a small cozy place to read books. You don't need a large place for this, a small but comfy place will do. You may also creatively organize a bookshelf where they could always see those books that they have. Through this, their attention and interest will always be drawn to books.
Lastly, our third point, get involved. Don't just leave them with books and expect them to flip all over the pages and read all the chapters of the book. YOu may start to read them a story and make it interactive and fun by making a puppet or by just using simple props and letting their creative imagination happen.
Children's love for books may start when they are also encouraged to read and guided by their parents. So make sure, that you give your time and extra patience to them. It might seem difficult at first, but through this routine and implementing it into your schedule. It makes them reading not just a habit but also fun activity for the whole family.