How To Get Your Grandchildren To Read

Are you a grandparent trying to get your grandchildren started on a reading habit? Children’s author Lubaina Bandukwala shares some tips. 

It’s a competition. A competition for the heart and mind (and attention) of a child. Video games, outdoor games, television, social media, YouTube, books – all this and more saying to a child, ‘Watch me! Play me! Listen to me!’ And in all this cacophony, a book’s softly spoken, ‘Read Me!’ seems to get a bit lost.

What can we as adults do to help children enjoy books? Here are my quick tips for different age groups.

• Reading = stories + love. A reader almost always remembers not just a book, but the experience associated with it. If the experience is a positive one, kids will probably be drawn to books. So, the first thing that an adult can do with very small children (and even older kids) is telling them stories – at playtime, at mealtimes or while putting them to sleep. Tell them any story, preferable short ones. They will then associate stories with the warmth and togetherness of being with someone they love.

• Then move on to picking out a picture book and reading aloud to them. Show them the pictures, point out the details, ask them questions, and make parallels from the book to the world around them. Most important of all, get them to take part in the reading by choosing books that have a refrain or need a response (see note on choosing picture books).

• Always keep a selection of picture books in the children’s play area. Let them choose the book they want you to read.

• As they grow to be independent readers, allow them to create their special reading space in your home where they read and keep their favorite books – it could be a large cardboard box that you can help them make into a reading boat or reading spaceship (make it together). They could also make themselves a blanket tent. 

• Cook or make a craft associated with the book together. Ask your grandchild to show you videos about the place the book is set in. 

• Take them to bookstores, books festivals, and author readings – they will treasure the time spent with you. Keep an eye out for author sessions and other activities at your favorite bookstore- participating in these makes the book personal for children. Look up some of the Book fests in India: Peek A Book Lit Fest for kids; Bookeroo Festival; Neev Literature Festival.

• During these visits, give them a small budget and let them pick a book they like.

• Eight to nine-year-olds are beginning to understand themselves, so they might still be exploring which books they like. Expose them to a variety of books – from comic books to non-fiction to adventure, among others. If they like a particular TV show or a movie, get them to read the books based on those.

• If the grandkids are older, ask them to recommend a book to you. Read it with you and form a small book club, in which you discuss the book.?Get a few kids to form a book club – at 10-12, they are at an age where they like to be part of the crowd and will read whatever everyone else is reading. They will enjoy it more if they can have a little fan group to share thoughts about their favorite books.

• Finally, remember not all kids are readers. And it's ok if they don’t like books. Or sometimes they may be readers that like stories in other ways - allow them to access books in different ways like eBooks or audiobooks. The important thing is for them to have access to new ideas, diverse opinions and opportunities to let their imagination soar.

Note: Picture books are not just for kids

A picture book is one in which the illustrations are an important part of the storytelling. While some picture books are for toddlers, others are books that may have a lot of visual content but might be more suitable for older kids (in fact people of all ages enjoy picture books). While choosing picture books for younger kids, try books with rhythmic text alliteration and participation books that ask a question like Brown Bear Brown Bear by Eric Carle or Excuse Me is this India by Anushka Ravishankar. Some of the most fun reading sessions can come from sharing wordless picture books like Priya Kuriyan’s Ammachi’s Glasses, Canto Jimo’s Snip or Aaron Becker’s Quest trilogy. Children can tell the story in their own words and in any language – and add their own understanding of it!

Finally, when looking for picture books, get those with brilliant art – remember not all kids may like to read, but some may become immersed in the art – and thus seek more books like those to read. Hence, mission accomplished!

Do you share stories and favourite books with your grandchildren? Share with us in the comments below.

Images courtesy: Pixabay