Creative Ways to Get Kids to Read
“I cnduo’t bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whoutit a pboerlm. Tihs is bucseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey ltteer by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt!”
If you could read the whole paragraph effortlessly, then you must know the benefits of reading fluently! And we’re sure you would want your children to read as effortlessly as you just did! Try these creative reading games and ideas and get the younger generation to read.
· Track your little one’s reading habits to figure out if your child is reading a particular author of late. Follow her online to explore more facts about her. Make up a list of authors whose writing styles are similar to the author you’re following and encourage your child to explore the other authors’ books too. If the author is alive, encourage your child to write her/her a letter. You never know if they might write back!
· Encourage your child to play the plethora of reading games available online. Games are a great way of learning. Some of these games also available as mobile apps so that they can be played on the go. One of the positives of kids spending their time online, even if it’s playing games, is that there is a lot of reading involved in some of them. My kids are addicted to Neopets, and I find that with the lore and news updates that they’re constantly reading on the website, they’re also improving their vocabulary and getting some reading practice, albeit of a totally different kind.
· Create a cozy reading nook for kids at home. Set up a corner with a small shelf with books by your child’s favorite authors, throw a few comfortable cushions on a yoga mat and do up a portion of the wall with doodles and inspiring quotes by children’s authors. Who can refuse reading in the coziness of such a corner!
· Play this game with the little ones on their way to school or while making a long journey. Call out a random letter and have kids find words beginning with that letter on billboards, vanity or number plates, passing signs, etc.
· Have them blog. You can complete the backend work like choosing the blog website, registering the child’s email address, choosing themes and other settings and invite the child to write. It’s a good idea to let the child’s name feature in the blog address so that it gets her all excited to start penning down her thoughts. The more the child starts writing and sees her posts published, the more will she lean toward the world of books.
· Comics. Avoid discouraging kids from reading comics. Monitor if there’s any content that’s not suitable for your child’s age and filter it if necessary, but don’t dissuade them from reading comics altogether.
· Last but certainly not the least, cuddle up and read to kids every night before going to bed!
If you have thought of other innovative, effective, or crazy ideas that have worked for you, please share them!
Author Bio:
Corinne Jacob is a wannabe writer who is convinced that kids learn best when they’re having fun. She is constantly on the lookout for new and exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience. Corinne loves all things that scream out un-schooling, alternative education and holistic learning.
Corinne Jacob is a wannabe writer who is convinced that kids learn best when they’re having fun. She is constantly on the lookout for new and exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience. Corinne loves all things that scream out un-schooling, alternative education and holistic learning.