How to encourage reading in children: 5 essential tips and keys

The simple fact of getting used to reading can greatly favor the intellectual development of a child.

Reading is an activity that has many important repercussions for human development. Among other things, it allows us to understand the elements that surround us as well as to interact with them.

It is also a habit that can be acquired from early childhood. In this article we present some tips that can be useful to encourage reading in children, as well as the importance of promoting their reading.The importance of promoting their interest in this activity.

The importance of reading in childhood

It is considered early childhood the period that elapses from the 0 to the 6 years of age. Within this period, children go through distinct stages where some stimuli appeal to them more than others, which means they have a greater willingness to learn certain things, or through certain techniques.

For example, from 0 to 2 years of age, learning is mediated by their interaction with adults, especially their caregivers.especially towards those who are their caregivers or educators. In addition, this stage is crucial because the skills necessary for communication are developed.

Between 3 and 4 years of age, socialization begins to occur outside the family nucleus, generally because children start school. From the age of 4, learning occurs in a more structured way. The important reference at this time is the educational system, always alongside the family or the closest affective nucleus.

In all these stages, language plays a crucial role in the child's development.The language in this sense is not limited to the verbal use of words, but is a whole process through which children endow things around them with meaning and sense. Language in this sense is not limited to the verbal use of words, but is a whole process through which children give meaning and sense to the things around them. The latter is what enables them to establish both a personal identity and to communicate with others.

One of the practices that especially fosters the development of language, as well as communication and even affection, is reading. Thus, encouraging reading from early childhood is important because it enables the child to understand and interact with the worldand, in addition, to understand his or her place in the world.

How to encourage reading in children?

Reading is not only related to the ability to decipher linguistic signs, but also to different manifestations of culture that are found around those signs and the narratives they construct (Ramírez and de Castro, 2013). This is indispensable to interact, and to establish desires, emotions and feelings, as well as to externalize them.

1. Making reading a meaningful encounter

When dealing with young children (especially between the ages of 0 and 2 years), reading is encouraged as long as it is an activity that also reinforces the bonding of the child. an activity that also strengthens the bond between the child and caregivers..

In other words, reading should mean something shared, because, as we have seen, young children learn especially in relation to adults.. Encouraging meaningful encounters with reading is something that promotes reading itself, since it influences how children perceive and feel this activity, and therefore, how they will receive it or seek it out later.

Something that can be very simple is to read with them at bedtime, before taking a nap or after an activity that requires rest. Doing this in the long run also allows them to associate reading with a moment of relaxation.

2. Use attractive materials and an eye-catching color scheme.

Children learn through the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste), so it is important to choose stories and materials that are attractive. For example, there are many books that have textures or that have sounds.It is important to look for those that do not have many words or complex sentences.

When narrating the stories ourselves, it is important to maintain a tone and volume of voice that is striking and that changes as the story does. In this way we encourage the recognition of emotions and attract the child's attention to reading.

Another related activity is to make stories with the children themselves, especially when they are a little older. For example, create a story about animals with images that the child chooses, or with pictures of the family. In the same sense, present the parts or elements of a book (pages, cover, drawings...) in an attractive way.

3. Allow the child to choose freely

Many times children are attracted to the same book over and over again. It is important to give them the freedom to choose for themselves the story that most appeals to them, so that their interest in reading is not interrupted.

It is also important to offer different reading modalities. There is literature that is written by children, and there is literature that is written or adapted for children. Something that favors children's interest in reading is to have several options at hand and present them one by one, so that we allow them to explore their interests and freely address them.

4. Designate a special and comfortable space for reading.

Since reading is not an activity that is reduced to the comprehension of words or drawings, but rather one that brings into play our emotions, desires, needs or moods, it is also important to read in a comfortable place.

Something that may be appealing to children is to set aside a special space for reading, which, depending on our possibilities, may have, for example, a sofa of their size, small pillows or a rug, along with a basket, drawer or bookcase with different books.

5. Make sure that the daily routine includes reading (create the habit).

Reading can can become a habitAs such, it is a practice that can be reinforced through continued repetition. Especially when it comes to older children, the habit of reading can be encouraged if we dedicate time to it every day.

If the child is not used to reading on his own initiative, it is important to do it together with him, and invite him through books that are appealing to him (even if not to us) and at a pace that is prudent. In this way, he can explore reading under his own interest, instead of understanding it as a tedious, obligatory or boring activity..

Bibliographical references:

• Ramírez, C. (2013). Reading in early childhood. Grafías Disciplinares de la UCP, Pereira-Colombia, no. 20: 7-21.