Children love to listen to stories. It has a magical way of reaching their little hearts.
Long before they learn to read on their own, they start by listening. It makes them imagine; it makes them wonder. Every story that they hear builds their language skills, creativity and confidence.
And when they begin to read, it starts with bedtime stories and colourful picture books around them. They listen first, then they read. These simple experiences shape their lifelong learning habits. Here are the best ways to encourage preschoolers to indulge in reading.
Children Should Read A Little, Daily
Children hate routines. Turn routines into habit, however, and they will repeat them every day. Because they find comfort in familiar activities.
A story before bedtime. A picture book after lunch. A quiet reading corner during the afternoon. Slowly, these small routines make them habituated. Books become a part of their lives, naturally.
When reading becomes their daily habit, they feel an emotional connection to books. Books become their source of comfort, happiness and imagination.
Let Children Choose Their Own Books
Every child is interested in something different.
Some enjoy animals, while fantasy fairy tales hook some of the young minds. Adventure piques the reading interest of little ones, too.
When books capture their attention, they will never put those books down. They would love to read more and won’t wait to turn the next page.
Excitement brews in the young minds. Visual appeal is a key factor for preschoolers. Colours, catchy lines, attractive illustrations are what capture their attention.
Children have a habit of listening to the same stories, repetition doesn’t bore them. Rather it helps them to connect willingly and acts well in making the memories sharper. They pick up new, interesting words and imagination becomes limitless. They can learn something new as they revisit familiar pages.
Expressions Matter While Reading
Reading is not only about saying words aloud.
You can use different voices to play different characters. Use expressions to convey each emotion – anger, surprise, happiness, grief and so on. Pause a little before turning the page. You can bring stories to life with these little details and gestures.
With shared reading, you can also bond with children better. Share love, roll in laughter, make the sessions lighter and explore more stories together.
A Cosy Reading Corner
What about creating an inviting reading corner that inspires with its warmth, letting imagination run at a faster pace? Attention span widens. In a boutique preschool in Singapore, teachers and staff make book shelves and reading corners welcoming for the children.
The lighting is soft and pleasant with the play of natural light making children more drawn towards reading.
Low and reachable shelves are a must for young ones. Keep bright picture books and story books at the eye level of your child. How will he not pick them up?
Soft cushions and comfortable rugs ensure the children can relax to enjoy a story. A few plants add a fresh touch, creating a space where the reading sessions for children feel homely and inviting.
Connect Stories with Everyday Life
When children can relate the stories to real experiences, books can be even more meaningful to them.
Put picture books and story books with subjects that feel close to what they see around them every day. As they flip through pages and observe pictures about butterflies, rain, pets, cooking, nature and so much more, they can feel more connected to them.
Afterwards, you can talk about these things with your child. When it rains, tell him why it happens. Show them butterflies and describe how they are born. Cook a simple recipe together after reading a story about food.
Once you do so, reading becomes more effective. These connections make stories come alive and help children learn a lot more.
Every day, we help children learn so much at Whistle Woods Schoolhouse, developing meaningful reading habits in preschoolers. We surround them with books, encourage them to explore stories and read them at their own pace. We help them discover the wonderful world – hidden inside every book.
And we can do the same for your child. Visit us, now!