How Parents Are Encouraging Reading Habits To Gen Alpha
Introduction
As parents, we all harbor the secret hope that our children will become enamored with the world of Harry Potter. Some of us even go so far as to dream of our kids embracing a timeless classic such as Moby Dick.
But as parents, we soon realize that these idealistic scenarios are not the reality. Gen Alpha (born between 2010-2024) is really not the reading kind. It is a sad epiphany for most parents, but do not worry; it is not the end of reading books.
When we asked a few parents who have somehow encouraged their kids to pick up a children’s book as their evening activity, we gathered some interesting answers!
Some say:
“It is not about just reading books, but bringing the element of fun to every activity they are a little reluctant about.”
While others have concurred:
“Children follow their parents, especially in their initial years. So, if there is any parent out there who wants their child to read more, storytelling is the way to go.”
These discussions have brought us to a few solutions for the global problem every parent is facing with their Gen Alpha child.
They refuse to pick a book!
Encouraging Reading Habits In Your Child
We are compassionate towards your frustration of them missing out. Afterall, we all grew up with fairytales and folktales which shaped our imagination and perception of the world.
We all want our children to also enjoy the stories of enchanted lands, superheroes, and woodland creatures.
Here are a few proven methods given by fellow parents to make that happen.
1. The Mirroring Effect
Surely you have noticed your five-year-old copying you or your partner at times. This is because their cognitive mind is under construction now. When their reality is still distorted, the familiar activities of their parents and teachers make a child act a certain way.
Have you ever noticed your child discipline their soft toys or teach them like a teacher would do? This is a classic example of them mirroring the actions of the adults around them.
Loosely translated, they will read when you do. If they see you give an hour of your time in the evening to a book, they will soon get curious and start exploring with their own set of books.
So, why don’t you make them a small library with the best-illustrated children’s book?
Maybe you won’t, but a child will judge a book by its flashy polished cover and the colorful pictures within. It is a start to their reading journey.
2. Inspire Them Through Real Life
“My child is totally disinterested in picking up a book.”
This is a concern many preschool teachers have heard from parents.
When it comes to building interest in reading, it has to be through the experience rather than the act of reading some words.
One parent suggests giving real-life examples of the stories they are reading. For example, taking them for a picnic when reading about enchanted lands with mountains, forests, and babbling brooks.
Another has spoken about reading children’s literature called “Welcome To The Flu” to her child when he was suffering from a minor cold. The story encourages the little boy to fight through the disease, just like the character in the story.
Since then, every day, he has picked a copy of that book (among several others).
Seeing it live certainly fills the child with a different sense of kinship towards a story or book. So, try to make them read a familiar story!
3. The Magic Of Storytimes
We all remember it, the excitement of getting cozy under the covers, waiting for that storytime before bed!
Your child can have the same excitement if you start reading these stories aloud to them.
Hearing it from your mouth will automatically make the story memorable. Bonus points if you make it immersive with voice changes and accents.
But will they pick the book on their own?
Yes, they will when they see the familiar cover lying around. If they truly enjoy the storytelling experience, curiosity will bring about the effort to read it by themselves so they do not have to wait a whole day to listen to their favorite story.
Urgency is the easiest way towards entertainment!
How To Bring About The Anticipation!
With every account, we can see that parents are trying to steer the act of reading as fun rather than a task.
Want your child to get excited about reading time?
- Make a cozy reading lair with all their books and good lighting.
- Encourage family reading time.
- Join them in the lair to read your favorite book as well.
- Plan bookstore and library visits and allow them to buy books as gifts for themselves.
