If you instill a love of reading in your children when they’re still very young, that’s something that they can take with them throughout their lives. They’ll often remain avid readers, and their speed and comprehension will increase to the point that they do better in school because they’re more capable of getting through and grasping the subject material. You’ll help them be more productive and get better grades, but you’ll also give them a hobby that they can continue to enjoy. In order to do that, though, you need to find the right books for them.
The books that you get for your children should be on grade level, or at their current reading level. It’s okay to challenge them just a little bit so that they have to learn while they’re reading, but you don’t want to get them books that are too far above their level. They’ll get frustrated if the words are hard to work with and they don’t understand enough of the story. If they come to you frequently to ask what something means, the book is probably too hard for them and they should read something a little bit easier. They can go back to the other book when their reading comprehension is higher.
Also, pay attention to the kinds of stories your child likes to read. He or she should read a variety of things, but there’s probably one author or one genre that’s preferred by your child. As long as it’s not something that you have a strong objection against – and if you’re not sure you should read one of the books to see what’s really in it – let your child be who he is and explore what he likes to foster a love of reading.
