“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”– Joseph Addison

Knowledge and wisdom can never survive without reading. The more you know, the more you grow. Are schools contributing their best for our children?

Early Years Foundation Stage helps to build a better foundation in pre-schoolers by encouraging activities. But that’s not enough. They should be encouraged to read as well. Reading formulates character. Motivating students to do better is more or less the responsibility of teachers.

Check Out 10 Simple Steps that can Motivate Your Students to Read

1.Let Them See You Read

Being an example is the best way to motivate. As a teacher, if you want your students to read, let them learn it from you. Introduce to your students the world of reading. Talk about the books you read and how fascinating reading can really be.

2.Give Them Time To Read, Then Discuss

Always make sure that children read the books before you discuss about it in class. Don’t be in a hurry burry. Sometimes when you talk about the plot, twists and settings of a book, it can ruin the fun of children. Let them read and arrive at their own conclusions.

3.Meet the Author

Invite the favourite author of students to classroom. Let them get a pleasant surprise.  Learning more about the books from the author himself can motivate them to read more. Face to face interaction enables interest in students.

4.Teach Them How To Read

Don’t leave them alone with the book: it can be tiring and monotonous. Teach students reading strategies works better. There are online websites out there that can help you with this. From selecting the book to evaluating, you can help them. In fact, teach them to think, to read between the lines and not to blindly trust books.

5.Book Clubs

Setting up book clubs can make the magic happen. It can encourage children to socialise as well as learn about books. Interaction makes reading much more enjoyable. Make sure not to force children to participate in the group. Fascinating activities and games can be arranged in the club to make it interesting

6.Read With Taste

Let children read to their taste. Don’t force books on children. Help them find the books of their interest. Introduce them to different themes. Boost their reading ability. But let them select their favourite from the lot.

7.Up-To-Date

Books can be partners for life but remember that technology has also contributed to reading habits.  E-book is a modern day tool that helps students to read well. Children will love to share interesting e-books with their classmates with ease. Upgrade your book worm students to smart readers.

8.Book Series

Introducing children to a book series can be interesting. There are series of novels available with themes ranging from adventures to fantasy. Your only task is to find out the types of books your students love and then introduce the first series to them. They will definitely finish off all the series in no time. Book series results in hunger for reading more.

9.Freedom Of Expression

Allow children to criticize books they have finished. Their experience while reading the book can be positive or negative, that doesn’t matter as long as they are encouraged to speak their minds. The liberty to hate something gives courage to follow the good.

10.Explain About The Goodness Of Reading

The influences of teachers are immense on students. Explain to children the importance of reading. Sometimes introducing them to the facts can encourage them. Let them make reading as a habit or hobby. Knowledge is the new trend.

Read and grow

Attract your children towards the vast ocean of books with these simple steps. No one can take away the power of knowledge from your children. There are a lot of advantages with reading.

Advantages of reading

• Mental stimulation
• Reduction of stress
• Knowledge
• Expansion of vocabulary
• Improvement of memory
• Stronger analytical thinking  ability
• Improvement in focus and concentration
• Better writing skill
• Entertainment with a purpose
• Upgrade conversation quality