The love of reading is contagious! Share your enthusiasm for books with your child using a few simple strategies. You’ll see that you don’t need to be a model reader to become a reading role model.
Children learn a lot by watching their parents and have a tendency to mimic their behaviours. Why not take advantage of this habit and set a good example? If you read a little bit every day, you’ll send an important message to your child: Reading matters!
Books are wonderful conversation starters. Share your thoughts on a particular book to encourage open dialogue with your child and show them that reading brings people together. Here are a few easy openers:
- I just found out that . . .
- I was so surprised when . . .
- I bet the hero will . . .
Learning more about an author, fictional character, or book can be a fun exercise. It not only boosts your child’s interest in reading, but also allows you to spend quality time together. Try the following family-friendly activities:
- Explore your local library
- Visit a bookstore
- Browse an author’s website
- Attend a book launch
- Scout the Salon du livre book fair
- Etc.
Reading side by side with your child can be a wonderful bonding experience. As you fall into your own fictional worlds, far from any distractions, you’ll share a quiet moment together. Over time, your child will associate reading with feelings of contentment.
Having a well-stocked home library increases the likelihood of your child developing an interest in reading. Consider leaving the following reading materials within their reach:
- Magazines
- Reference books
- Comic books
- Novels
- Etc.
There are plenty of ways to make reading a family activity. For example, you could do the following:
- Visit the library together
- Find a book that everyone is excited about
- Borrow the book
- Create a reading tent at home using bedsheets
- Read the book aloud to your children
- Ask them questions about the story
- Try to guess what happens next
- Etc.
Section Alloprof :
Writing: Viviane Asselin
Scientific review: Nathalie Paquet-Bélanger, resource teacher
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Rewriting: The Alloprof Parents’ team