Grandparents can do many bonding activities with their grandchildren. One of the main activities includes reading. Reading with grandchildren leaves lasting memories for both the grandparent and the grandchildren. There are several tips that can be applied to ensure the time spent reading with a grandchild is fruitful and bonding takes place. These tips include choosing books wisely. Reading should be an enjoyable time to look forward to hence a library of favorite books should be established.



Choosing the right books is important in order to ensure the child does not get bored and always looks forward to reading time. Older children are able to point out their favorite authors or areas of interests. Accompanying a child to the library can enable the child to make their own decision on what book to read. Books from the local library that are interesting can be bought for the child as a gift. Adults and friends can also be asked to make recommendations on books they know are interesting to read out to children. Organizations also provide lists of various books that are good for children. A child who finds interesting books to read will enjoy the time of reading but one who does not will feel like it is a chore and will not look forward to spending time with their grandparent. It is therefore important that the child's enjoy this time in order for bonding to happen naturally.

Ideally, grandparents should start reading to their grandchildren when they are still babies. This time can be spent in different ways from reciting a nursery rhyme to reading a simple book. The books can be upgraded as the child grows though in most cases reading to younger grandchildren requires reading a book repeatedly. Reading should be done in phases to allow time for interaction where the grandchild gets a chance to ask questions, which are always so many and interesting. The grandchild will also share what they think about the story and probably try to anticipate what happens next in the story.

Picture books are some of the best reading tools that easily facilitate bonding between many grandparents and their grandchildren. Talking to the grandchildren about the pictures helps them to visualize. The grandchild can then be asked to point out pictures while the grandparent reads to assess the grandchild's coordination and understanding. With time the child can retell a particular story while pointing to the pictures.

A grandparent can effectively bond with their grandchild through reading by nurturing them to be readers. This can be done by setting regular time for reading either after dinner or before bedtime. The grandchildren should have access to other reading materials such as comic books, food labels, cookbooks, newspapers and magazines among many others. Being a role model is important and a grandparent should share any interesting aspects they learn from the books they are reading with their grandchildren. Grandchildren who grow up reading with their grandparents are likely to develop great affection and liking for them and in the process cultivate a culture of reading.