Reading is a fundamental activity for development cognitive, linguistic, emotional and social aspects of children. In addition to expanding vocabulary, understanding and expression, reading also stimulates imagination, creativity, curiosity, empathy and values. Reading is a way of learning about the world, yourself and others, in a playful and enjoyable way.
However, many children do not have the habit of reading, whether due to lack of interest, opportunity, encouragement or access to suitable books. Therefore, it is important that parents, educators and professionals in the field of childhood promote children’s reading from an early age, in order to awaken children's taste and interest in books and literature.
At Petit Fox, we are concerned not only with offering environmentally responsible fashion but also with the healthy development of the little ones, which is why we want to help Portuguese parents through tips that can encourage reading with your little foxes.
Tips to encourage reading
Choose books appropriate to the children's age, level and interests.
Look for books that have simple, clear, fun and engaging texts, with attractive, colorful and expressive illustrations. Give preference to books that cover themes that children identify with, that make them laugh, dream, reflect, question, etc.
Create an environment conducive to reading.
Set aside a space in the house or school that is comfortable, quiet, bright and cozy, where children can have free and easy access to books. Organize books attractively, on bookshelves, shelves, boxes or baskets, and label them with labels or drawings. Keep books clean, maintained and up to date, and encourage children to take care of them.
Read together with the children.
Shared reading is one of the best ways to encourage reading in children, as it creates an emotional bond between the adult and the child, and makes reading a fun and meaningful experience. Read aloud, with intonation, expression and emotion, and pause to comment, ask, explain or praise. Let the children choose the books, leaf through the pages, point to the illustrations, repeat the words, ask questions, etc.
Diversify the ways you read.
In addition to books, there are other forms of reading that can be explored with children, such as magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, posters, labels, recipes, etc. It is also possible to use different resources and supports for reading, such as computers, tablets, cell phones, audiobooks, videos, etc. The important thing is that reading is varied, dynamic and interactive, and that it meets children's different learning styles and needs.
Relate reading to other activities.
Reading can be integrated with other activities that children enjoy, such as games, arts, music, theater, etc. For example, you can read a story and then dramatize it, draw, sing, do a puzzle, etc. This helps to expand understanding, memorization and application of what has been read, as well as making reading more fun and motivating.
Encouraging reading in children is a lifelong investment, as it contributes to the integral development of children, to their academic and personal success, and to the formation of critical, conscious and participatory citizens.
Therefore, be sure to encourage children to read, and show them how reading can be a source of knowledge, fun and enchantment.
