image credit: reading is fun, via flickr

We all know that reading to and with children is one of the best things we can do to help their language development along. But not all children are born bookworms, and some are going to need a little creative push from their parents to help them discover the joys of reading. If your child isn’t as crazy about reading as you’d like her to be, don’t despair! Here are a few creative ideas for helping you discover a reading strategy that works for your child:

Let your child help you choose the books you read together. Your taste in books is specific to your likes and dislikes, so why should your child be any different? You may think a book about princesses is adorable, but if your daughter is into soccer or pirates, why not choose books that deal with those subjects? By reading books based on topics that truly interest your child, you are encouraging her to explore her own interests while setting the stage for a love of reading at the same time!

Use books as a springboard for playing with kids. Susan Stephenson at The Book Chook recently wrote a fabulous article on developing imagination through literature based play. She suggests for parents and children to “read a story together and then suggest making a game about it. If it’s your game, you get to grab the best roles like Pirate Chief or Ugly Witch. Be sure to involve the kids by asking questions, or suggesting parts for the play…Once the kids are coming up with ideas, gently withdraw until all you have to do is throw in the occasional nasty chuckle, or guard the treasure with your feet up, reading.” Making reading into a game is a great way to interact with your children and help develop their imagination.

Take advantage of your local library. I know that many of you who are reading this may not have set foot in a public library for years, so you may be surprised when you hear about all of the great children’s activities your library has to offer. Most libraries have specially decorated children’s sections, and many provide storytellers and craft sessions for kids. Besides being a great source for free fun activities for kids, you can also check out a wide variety of books to take home with you until your next visit. Many libraries now have bilingual children’s sections and even bilingual story hours, so why not give your local library a chance?

Seek out alternative sources for reading materials. While we are huge fans of the traditional children’s picture book format, not all reading material comes in a book-shaped package. Look for fun flashcards, word games and early literacy kits and have fun playing these games with your kids. (In October we’ll be publishing a kit called Easy Alphabet!/¡Abecedario fácil! which is perfect for this sort of literacy based play). There are also many on-line early literacy sites (click here and here for a few bilingual options) which help develop early literacy skills and get kids familiar with new technologies at the same time. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit and show your kids that reading is a part of many different aspects of day to day life.

With a little patience, creativity and trial and error, even the most reluctant reader can be turned into a book lover!