Sometimes getting your kids to read is like pulling teeth. You know it's an important skill and you know you should encourage them to do it more, but when it's a constant struggle, everyone's frustration levels hit a peak. If your home has become a reading battleground, see the steps below to guide you in choosing gifts for your kids that will encourage them to read.
STEP 2:
Find books that have been made into motion pictures. Purchase a book and the accompanying DVD. Watch the DVD together and then read the book together. Point out differences between the book and the movie and encourage your child to do the same.
STEP 3:
Create a cozy reading space in your child's bedroom. Purchase a soft bean bag or big fluffy chair for them to cuddle up in. Purchase a book light and make the reading spot feel like an adventurous escape--a corner of their room that helps them get into a corner of their imagination.
STEP 4:
Find props that accompany the books. For instance, books about Pooh can be complemented with a stuffed Pooh animal. Books about sports can be accompanied with a sports figurine. The more kids can attach a concrete object to their reading, the more likely they will want to return to the book and the object.
STEP 5:
Get your kids reading something, anything! Sometimes kids are not excited about the prospect of thumbing through all the pages of a book. It can look like a daunting task to someone who doesn't get excited about reading. For those kids, a subscription to a magazine might be a better way to get them motivated about reading. Take your child to a bookstore that has a large variety of magazines and allow them to pick out an age-appropriate magazine that captures their attention. Sports Illustrated and National Geographic both have children's editions, among other publications. There are also many magazines that have activities strictly for younger children, such as Highlights magazine. Shorter articles and fun challenges might be more enticing to your kids than a book full of pages.
STEP 6:
Books on CD make great reading companions. Find a great book and the companion CD or tape on which the book is recorded and read aloud. Your child can read along with the storyteller on the CD and listen to how the story is read. This is a great gift because reading is modeled for your child and the pressure for your child to read is lifted.
STEP 7:
Make an electronic connection. If you visit the V-tech Web site (vtechkids.com), you will see many products that pair reading skills with electronic toys and gadgets. These award winning electronic learning products are sold at Toys R Us and will definitely engage the kids of today's generation. The other gift you can give your children costs nothing; read to them! Children who see their parents reading, and whose parents take the time to read to them, will more naturally develop a love for learning.
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