of reading, that is!
My daughter catches me doing so many things I’d rather her not witness. Namely, hiding in the pantry when I think she’s not looking while gobbling a whole row of chocolate. She manages to catch me every time and then proceeds to ask for some chocolate herself.
Reading though- I’m more than happy for her to catch me doing that!
You see, when she catches me eating and enjoying that chocolate she asks if she can eat some too. The same goes for reading. If children see you getting pleasure from reading, you’re bound to catch them somewhere with a book too.
When kids see you doing something that brings you immense joy they want in on it too. Why wouldn’t they? It’s role-modelling and imitation at its best.
When I say let your children catch you reading, I don’t mean let them see you reading because it’s what you should do. I mean, let them see you reading because you want to be reading.
Don’t forget too that making time to read for yourself is also great medicine for your own mind and soul!
What if you don’t enjoy reading?
I suppose you could fake it, but it won’t have the same effect. Find something to read that interests you. It may not be fiction that brings you pleasure, you may prefer to read the newspaper, a magazine, a cook book or a share market report. That’s okay. This is how your child will learn that we read for a variety of purposes, and each person has their own reading preferences. Your child will develop their own attitudes and preferences for reading, especially if they’ve been given the opportunity to explore different reading material.
I know this is much easier said than done. As a parent it’s hard to relax and take out a novel while you’re caring for a child. Even if they do manage to play independently you still need to keep a watchful eye on them or stop to answer their questions. I know I’m guilty of waiting until my daughter is napping or sleeping to snuggle under my blanket for uninterrupted reading time. But, kids aren’t going to see you reading if you wait until they’re sleeping to do it.
Here are some strategies that you could try to implement so they see catch you reading:
- Spend some quiet time together with your child/ren, side by side, each reading something of your choice.
- Use the time when your partner is enjoying quality time with your child/ren to sit and read rather than catch up on housework.
- Leave your reading material in view of your children (i.e. on the kitchen bench or coffee table). They will most probably ask about it. (Other than the laundry, you will find books in every other room of our home. The message is clear to our daughter that we value and love reading- and do a lot of it)
- Talk to your children about what you are reading and why you read it.