For avid readers, it's nearly impossible to stop them from reading a book. Their mothers swear the children landed face first in a book at birth and have only ever put a book down long enough to eat and pick up the next one. But this fascination with books is not inherent for all children. Many find it a chore to get into a book. If your child has yet to be drawn into the endless adventure the pages of a book offer, Wishfinity Jr. has some simple parenting tips on how to get your child to read from a book.

3 great parenting tips to get your child to read from a book!

1. Draw upon what already gets their attention.

You could try to gauge what your child might be interested in. If they have a favorite stuffed bunny that they carry around, a Peter Cottontail pop-up book might catch their eye. Maybe they are obsessed with the latest superhero cartoon; there are many varieties of children's books (or comic books) made all the time starring their favorite characters. Try taking them to the library or a bookstore and show them some possibilities to see what catches their eye. 

2. Make reading fun for kids.

Set aside time for you and your child to sit down and read through a book together. Bring along their favorite toy to help narrate. Set up fun activities related to the book you are reading with your child, or bring a snack that goes with the story, like those carrots that bunnies are so fond of. Add extra elements to your reading time so your child looks forward to reading with you. Over time, they won't even need the extra incentive. 

3. Practice reading with your child every day. 

Gradually work up through materials just slightly above their reading level so that they learn but do it at their pace, so they don't get lost. Whether you take turns having them read during story time or off signs on a road trip, try to help them take on spelling and reading comprehension as a daily practice. Do your best not to make it competitive but congratulate and possibly reward them from a universal wishlist like Wishfinity when they do a good job. Building confidence in reading everyday things will easily carry over into reading books. It will become much easier for them to read from a book when they no longer have to work at understanding what each word means.