We’ve received a few emails from parents keen for suggestions on how to encourage their children to read more without having to fork out for expensive books every week.
While this answer may be obvious, the truth is, the best way to encourage children to read for free is to take them to the library. Sadly, increasing numbers of libraries are being closed down, and this is removing wonderful resources that we have traditionally always enjoyed in this country.
The only way to save libraries is to use them! Children can join for free and often this entitles them to around three or four books at a time. In addition, they will have access to all the materials and IT facilities in the library while it is open. Libraries often have free reading groups and children’s clubs or story time sessions for very young children too.
It was World Book Day recently, and another wonderful way of encouraging children to read was by organising a book swap. Generally the schools do this, but you could do a book swap on a much smaller scale with just the families in your street or local community. It would be a wonderful way to share the financial burden of buying books for growing minds. Encouraging your children to share their books and swap with their friends is also a lovely idea, and a way of helping them to read widely, talk about books and learn about making recommendations on their favourite stories.
Reading will help their education, imagination and social skills, so there are no down sides to it. Table top sales, second hand books stores and EBay are also sources of books for little to no money. And you may find some great reads for yourself too.
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