Everything You Need to Build a Reading Habit like Matilda
Have you got a budding bookworm or reluctant reader who wants to build a reading habit that will stick?
We know that sitting down to read a book can be a daunting task for a chiddler, but there’s no reason why they too can’t become a brilliant bookworm just like Matilda.
Show them this list of top tips to build a reading habit, inspired by the Reader of Books herself:
1. CREATE A COSY READING ENVIRONMENT
Matilda’s home isn’t a comforting place, but she manages to make a reading den in her small bedroom, a place with no distractions where the books can carry her away.
TOP TIP: Make sure you have somewhere cosy that you can settle down to read your book. How about making a den out of sheets or snuggling down in your favourite armchair with a blanket?
2. DON’T FORGET THE SNACKS
You’ll need some fuel for all that brainbox power you’ll be using! Matilda loves a cup of hot chocolate by her when she reads.
TOP TIP: Get yourself a snack or a drink to enjoy at the same time. Make reading a time to really spoil yourself!
3. FIND SOMEONE TO HELP YOU
Even though Matilda’s peevish parents are less than supportive of Matilda’s books, our hero still manages to find supportive people to help her along her reading journey.
TOP TIP: Whether you find someone to help you choose books like Mrs Phelps, or someone to help you improve and challenge yourself like Miss Honey, it’s always fantastic to know that you have a helping hand.
4. VISIT A LIBRARY
The village library is where Matilda truly discovers her love of books. She starts reading in the children’s section, one of the most wonderful places around!
TOP TIP: Get yourself to a library. Matilda goes alone but do ask an adult to come with you (they can help you reach books on high up shelves). We’d also recommend talking to the librarian, they will have wonderful knowledge and can help you choose the right book for you.
5. WRITE DOWN YOUR FAVOURITE WORDS
Matilda loves words. She loves learning how to spell them, how to rhyme them, and discovering new ones. One of our favourite Matilda quotes is “Words went off like fireworks” as the new words are like sparks in her brain.
TOP TIP: Keep a notebook and a pen by you when you read. Write down your favourite words and phrases as you go and read them back when you have finished. Maybe you can impress your teacher by including one in your next piece of writing.
6. EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT GENRES
There are so many genres in the world, from adventure to fantasy, drama to comedy. Not everyone likes the same books, and that’s ok! Matilda particularly adores funny books, because, as she says, “children are not so serious as adults and love to laugh”.
TOP TIP: When you have finished one book, try something completely different for your next read. If you have just finished a funny book, try a serious one, and if you have just finished a fairy-tale, try something a bit more gruesome (Roald Dahl’s stories are great for this).
7. BRANCH OUT!
There are so many different things to read in this world. With the lack of books in her house, Matilda starts reading newspapers, magazines and cookbooks!
TOP TIP: If you really want a challenge, why not ask your parent if you can try and read a bit of their newspaper, or next time you are baking, see of you can be the one to read out the instructions.
8. AND FINALLY…
Enjoy yourself! Reading is a truly wonderful hobby and can take you on all sorts of adventures. So, in the words of our trusty librarian Mrs Phelps, “Don’t worry about the bits you can’t understand, sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music”. Once you do this, you are sure to fall in love with reading for life.
