Children begin identifying repetitious sights and sounds and making meaningful connections from the time they are born. Reading opens their imagination and allows children to better understand the world around them, as well as create worlds of their own. The following guide offers tips for encouraging an interest in this subject in early childhood. 

How to Encourage Your Preschooler to Be a Reader

1. Read Together 30 Minutes a Day 

Reading your child to sleep creates precious one-on-one time. Using your finger to track the words helps your child understand how the letters have meaning. Prompt your child to ask questions about the story, make observations, or try to guess how a character is feeling to keep them engaged with the material. 

2. Offer Reading as a Free-Time Activity 

Rather than screen time, offer your child time in a cozy reading nook. This frames reading as a treat and a pleasurable activity, giving your son or daughter the freedom to choose what types of stories they want to read independently. Even if this means looking through the pictures or pretending to know the words, this exposure helps your child familiarize themselves with books. 

3. Know When to Stop 

If you find your child losing engagement, don't push reading at that moment. This may make your little one associate books with frustration. Instead, switch to another activity. When you try again, let your child pick the book, empowering them to make their own choice. 

4. Integrate Reading Into Other Aspects of Their Life

Having stories read aloud to your child in more places than at home expands their relationship to reading. For example, you can take them to the local library to listen to story time or encourage their caretaker to share books with them. This helps your son or daughter build a stronger connection to the written word and expand their vocabulary by exposing them to more varied works in early childhood.

World of Knowledge Child Development Center supports children and gives them the tools they need to thrive. They have been providing stimulating programs for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children for nearly a decade, making early childhood learning well-rounded, exciting, and fun. Located in Lincoln, NE, this center is a safe and supportive environment for children to grow, learn, and express themselves. To enroll your child, visit them online or call (402) 483-4769.