If you’re an avid reader and always wanted your kids to enjoy books the way you did growing up, it can be discouraging when they don’t really show an interest.
But you’re in luck! There are tons of fun and simple ways you can promote reading in your home and have your children reading more this year.
By following a few key steps, and with some patience, you can encourage your child to read more this year. Keep scrolling to find which solutions might work best for you and your family.
Bring the Book to Life
Reading out loud to your kids is a proven way to keep them engaged, interested, and having fun. Even if they’re a little older and don’t need to be read to, it can be a fun way to enjoy a book together. Reading out loud while you relax together on the couch, either just the two of you or as a whole family is also a great way to bond. It can make everyone feel more connected, comfortable and will help show just how enjoyable reading can be.
If you want to go another route, try audiobooks. Hearing someone read a book with expression can help a child learn how to narrate a book by themselves. It’s a great stepping stone to reading a physical book and has many of the same benefits. You can have audiobooks playing while in the car, while you’re making dinner, or even during bathtime. Just like reading out loud, audiobooks are also a great way to share the reading experience with your young one as you too can follow along.
Another way to help encourage reading, especially if your kids are having trouble at the beginning, is to read the book and then watch the movie. This approach can help them contextualize what they’ve read to visualize scenes for the next book they read.
Keep it Light
There are many reasons why some kids could be reluctant readers, but one of the common reasons is pressure. Some children feel a lot of pressure to read, and may even internalize that pressure. This can take the fun out of the activity and turn it into a chore. Some might even feel guilty about reading and think they need to be doing other things in order to keep busy.
To help reduce this pressure, try to approach reading as a light and fun activity that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Some children might enjoy reading in the morning while they have breakfast, while others might find it more enjoyable to read just before bed. Let your child know that there are no rules when it comes to a reading schedule, and they can follow their own instincts.
It’s also important to help them find books that they’re interested in reading. Sometimes, what’s holding a child back from immersing themselves in reading is that they haven’t found a book that they truly enjoy. Help them narrow down their search by figuring out if they prefer adventure, comedy, or maybe even non-fiction. Comic books or graphic novels are a great starting point for some children but might be forgotten about or even dismissed. The images that accompany the story can be helpful for children who might have trouble visualizing scenes in their heads with just words.
Books that are part of a series or boxed set are also a fantastic way to get children into reading more. Some children might want to invest in characters and watch as they progress in their journey. Others might just enjoy a particular author’s writing style and want to stick with their books, even though it’s not a series.
Another great way to keep reading fun is by making an adventure out of library outings. Check to see if there are any events at your local library, either in person or online. When you associate the library with fun, your children will want to spend time there and will eventually want to search for books they’re interested in reading.
Walk the Walk
Kids absorb their surroundings and take after their caregivers, especially when they’re young. So if you’re really keen on getting them to read more, a great way to do this is by modelling it for them.
Have them see that you enjoy books by reading in the living room, in the backyard, or in other common areas of your home. Mention excerpts from books that you love or talk about characters that you find entertaining. You can go even further and talk about specific writers you enjoy. By celebrating writers, you open up a whole other world to your children and can discuss the art of writing itself. Many of us are naturally drawn to the creators behind our favourite works of art or novels, so it would make sense that children might feel the same way. By researching the author behind your child’s favourite book or talking about your own favourite author, you can positively reinforce reading.
Another simple tip is to just leave books around the house for them to find. Leaving books on the shelf might look nice, but kids like to have things in front of them and feel as if they are making all the choices themselves. By leaving a book in each room, they’re more likely to pick one up and start flipping through it on their own. This also adds to the previous point about taking the pressure off and allowing reading to be a casual and exciting activity.
Take your Time
You might be eager to get your child to turn off the TV and start reading, but it can take some time. Start slow and try to incorporate different steps into your daily routine that work for your family. Soon enough, you’ll find that your kids will be reaching for books all on their own.
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