5 tips to encourage children to read
by Chris Lewis (2 minute read)
24/02/21
We all learn in different ways. Sometimes you can learn at the same time you do something you enjoy. The following are 5 tips you might find useful to encourage children to read edutainment books.
1. Look for relatable characters
Connection with characters in a story may make it easier for children to learn from their experiences and perhaps appreciate a topic from a different view. Sometimes a situation can be better understood by a child when they see themselves represented in a group or activity.
It is certainly handy when a book's character or series matches the values you want to encourage. An association to a series could also support children in finding a common connection with others.
2. Try something a little bit silly or unorthodox
Animals are often used in picture books for their relatable factor. There are lots of examples in books where animals talk and live like humans. Sometimes, characters are a mix of both human and animal characteristics. Some stories have objects which are living, for example, a talking teapot.
3. Think about the format
There are lots of book formats to choose from, but in summary, the choice is a physical version or an electronic copy. New books typically attract a new cost, but you can get access to free books from the library, or you can browse the internet for a variety of free ones.
Sometimes there are extra elements in an eBook compared to a print version. For example, animation. Traditional books take up more space than eBooks. Still, there is a print version preference because of the look and feel, and no batteries are required.
4. Support the reading journey
A child could use the same book from early childhood to a point where they can potentially read it by themselves. The knowledge gained from familiarity can serve as a morale boost when children get to the stage they can read independently.
5. Find a book for the right development stage
The need of every child differs in the course of their development. Whether a child will enjoy a book or find it boring depends on the length, grammar, and level of content the child is prepared for, emotionally.
About the author
Chris Lewis is the author of the eBook picture book ‘Jax and Sheba get Messy’ for ages three to five. A print version will be available to order from March 16th 2021.
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