Reading can help you relax, boost your mood and escape elsewhere – and it doesn’t have to be a book. It could be a football magazine, a comic or even a recipe book. Reading something that interests you can transport you away from day-to-day life.
That’s why, each year on 10 October at 10am we calling on the nation to #Take10ToRead with us in support of World Mental Health Day. Try it for 10 minutes and see where it takes you.
How to make reading fun at home
When children enjoy reading, they are more likely to feel happier, grow in confidence and do better at school.
Taking 10 minutes to read each day is a great habit to develop and it’s never too early to start.
Here are some things you can do to help make reading fun:
Choose a time to read
Find a moment in your day that works best for you. This could be over breakfast, on the bus or in the evening.
Let your child choose
Why not try a magazine, picture book, comic, or non-fiction book? Following your child’s interests will help them get excited about reading.
Chat about what you are reading
You might want to talk about the characters, facts, plots, or pictures you find on the page.
Read and repeat
Read the same thing again and again. Children learn so much from repeated reading. They’ll learn to anticipate what’s coming next which builds their reading confidence.
Be a reading role model
Escape into a book or magazine and see where it takes you. Children who see adults reading at home are more likely to enjoy it themselves.
The most important thing?
Do what you can! If reading every day with your child isn’t possible right now, don’t worry. You can gradually build up to a daily habit.
