Reading is not only a fun activity, but it’s also a way for people to continue to expand their knowledge of different topics, learning about the world and the animals and people within it. Reading can be relaxing, but it can also be stimulating and rewarding.

While most children start out loving books, this unfortunately doesn’t last forever. According to a recent Scholastic study, most children will continue to enjoy reading up until they turn 9 years of age. At this point, they drift away from reading and this continues to decline well into adulthood.

The good news is that, as a parent, you don’t need to stand by aimlessly as your child’s love for reading plummets – there are things that parents can do to continue to inspire their child’s love of reading well into their teen years and beyond. If you want to learn about how to do this, you simply need to read our handy guide of questions and answers to help you along the way.

Why Should I Continue Reading To My Child Even After They Learn to Read?

Fostering your child’s independence is extremely important and so many parents will stop reading to their children after they start to read themselves, in an effort to get them to practice doing it on their own.

While this is an important aspect of increasing your child’s reading proficiency, according to the experts, it’s also important that you keep reading to your child. This is because you child’s reading level and their listening levels are likely different.

Your child might be reading at a much lower level than they are capable of listening, so reading to them allows them to explore topics they wouldn’t have been able to explore themselves. This also provides great opportunities for bonding.

Which Books Should My Child Read?

When it comes to selecting books for your child, it’s important that you let them have a say in the matter. Take them along to the book store and have them select their own books.

Explore options with them and find out which genres are appealing to them. You can provide them with guidance about which books are appropriate for them, but make sure that they are able to have some choice when it comes to making the purchase.

How Do I Make Time For Reading With My Child?

Children and adults have demanding schedules these days and this often means that leisure activities, such as reading, tend to fall to the bottom of everyone’s list of priorities.

While you and your child might not have an hour for reading every day in between school, the extra-curricular activities, work commitments and other demands of the day, you can use moments in the day to read together. It might be a short newspaper article you read together and discuss, or a single chapter of your child’s favorite book – the aim is to use the moments you have that can make all the difference in the long run.

What Are The Benefits Of A Book Club?

Try joining a book club with your adolescent to allow them to surround themselves with other teens who love books. This is a great way to meet other like-minded people, while focusing on something that is worthwhile.

Remember, if you’re joining a book club with your teen, you’re likely going to be reading books on their level – while this might not be your first choice when you enter a bookstore, it will definitely give you and your child something to bond over, particularly if it’s a book that they are particularly excited about. Remember, if you don’t have a book club in your area, why not start one? The library is a great support when it comes to advertising this type of thing.

Are Comic Books Good For Children?

Comic books used to be put into the realm of non-books and parents would often frown at the collections of these books that start to pop up in their child’s pre-teen years. Keep in mind that comic books are just as helpful in developing your child’s love of books as more traditional books.

As a parent, if you’re not aware of what comic books have to offer, why not try to explore them a bit for yourself. You’ll find that they are just as diverse – as well as challenging – as most children’s novels, if not more so. They can be found in a variety of styles and genres, for ranging age groups. You might even find that you fall in love with comic books yourself.

How Can Technology Help Me To Keep My Child Reading?

Don’t think of technology as something that will prevent your child from enjoying the written word, but as something that can be used as a tool to help you inspire this in your children.

Audio books, e-books and apps that help children explore the written word through games and stories, will all come in handy as you navigate this new world with the hopes of continuing to share the love of reading with your child for years to come.

How Can I Continue To Inspire My Children To Read Through My Own Actions?

If you love reading, the chances are much better that your children will learn to love reading too, so make sure that you share this part of yourself with them. Let them see you reading – and enjoying reading – and read the parts of books you find interesting out loud.

It doesn’t matter whether you are sharing an exciting recipe, a piece of gossip or just an interesting fact – these moments can often add up to a memorable and comforting reading experience for a child.