Reading has long been a way to relax, unwind, and escape the everyday stresses of adulthood. It’s something we often enjoy but don’t always find time for. But with so many benefits—like vocabulary expansion and memory improvement, to name a few—it’s important that we teach our children to complete a book and practice doing the same.  

How to encourage your child to complete a book. 3 parenting tips:

The first step in teaching your child to complete a book is to begin reading with your child as soon as possible. As parents, we read to them without realizing we’re doing just that— reading to them. During story time, make it a point to engage your child in the reading process. If your child cannot read, ask them what they think of the story. If they’re learning to read, take turns reading pages to one another. Your excitement and interest in reading will rub off on your child, and they’ll be excited about reading books on their own! 

1. Stock up on picture books.

Picture books are a great way to stimulate your child's imagination and excite them about books. As your child remembers the images, introduce them to picture books with words. Read to them each evening (or whenever you have time to sit with them and read), and don’t begin a new one until you’ve finished one entire book.  

2. Join a book club.

Some of the difficulty in getting anyone—especially a child—to complete a book is the solitude that usually comes with reading. By joining a book club, your child will have other people reading the same book as them, making the book-reading experience a social one. 

3. Assign book reports.

Summer breaks are the perfect time for a child to read a collection of books that a teacher doesn’t assign! Encourage your child to take advantage of this, and ask them to write a short report on the books they read. Once complete, reward them on your family's mobile reward app and universal wishlist like Wishfinity. One a month is an excellent way to encourage reading while ensuring their writing abilities are not wasted.