My daughter is now in grade one and was diagnosed with dyslexia in March this year. Her teacher didn’t take long to figure out that she was struggling. Reading and writing were the ways her dyslexia came forth. Since then, we have made great strides in helping her cope with her learning disability. And I must say, she has shown up for herself in her school work and dedication to mastering reading and writing.

In the second half of the year, they were encouraged to read six books until the end of the year. So we bought her books, and off she went. But with most children, reading is a struggle for them; with all the electronics around, they prefer watching a TV show or playing games to reading. Back in the day, we had limited TV, lots of play outside, riding bikes and sports in the afternoons, and then there was reading. Apart from the fact that we were also made to read quite a bit at school, it only came much later in higher grades.

Having kids fall in love with reading from the beginning is a great idea. I have always tried to instil a love and respect for books in my kids. I did some research, and below are some ways to encourage your kids to cultivate a passion for reading and books.

1. Set a good example: Let your child see you reading regularly. Children often mimic the behaviour of adults around them.

2. Another key strategy for encouraging kids to read more is to create a reading-friendly environment. Ensure your child has many books, magazines, and other reading materials at home.

3. Reading together is a bonding experience and a great way to make reading more enjoyable for your child. Spend quality time reading with them.

4. Let them choose their own books: Allow your child to choose books that interest them. This will make reading more engaging and enjoyable for them.

5. Make reading fun: Encourage your child to participate in reading challenges, join a book club, or attend storytelling events at the library.

6. Limit screen time: Set boundaries on screen time and encourage your child to spend more time reading instead.

7. Praise and reward: Celebrate your child’s reading achievements and offer rewards to encourage them to read more.