7 Top Tips for Encouraging Kids To Read

​Reading is not just a hobby; it's a joyous journey that anyone of any age can embark on. The sheer delight of diving into the world of fiction or nonfiction and the exceptional skills it develops make reading with or to children a truly enriching experience.

An extensive and peer-reviewed research study by The Book Trust.org.uk has revealed that children who read are not just happier and healthier but also have improved mental well-being. This reassures parents that their efforts to promote reading are indeed beneficial, leading to better school performance and a more empathetic, creative, and resilient child.

Regrettably, the National Literacy Trust has reported a concerning trend- a decline in young readers. Since 2005, there has been a 28% decrease in readers aged 8 to 18. The NAEP testing further revealed that two-thirds of American children struggle to read proficiently, with 40% of those tested being non-readers.

If these statistics are alarming to you, it's time to take charge and ensure your child reaps the benefits of reading. Knowing how to encourage your child to read is a powerful tool in your hands. It can help you foster this incredibly beneficial hobby and ensure they acquire all the skills and benefits it has to offer. These tips can guide you in instilling a love of reading in your child.

Format Doesn't Matter

As a parent, it can be easy to get bogged down in the type of material your child is reading or what you think they should be reading. In reality, this is a surefire way to ensure that your child doesn't read because they do not want to read what you're forcing on them or insisting they read. 

When it comes to developing a love for the written word, it actually doesn't really matter what they read, just that they do. It might be that they prefer to read comic books or magazines about a topic they are interested in, such as sports or art. They might enjoy fiction books like 'Harry Potter' or 'The Chronicles of Narnia, 'or nonfiction books about animals or space. They may read articles online related to hobbies and interests. How and what they read isn't always important; they are just reading something that piques their interest. Each type of reading material offers unique benefits, from improving vocabulary to enhancing creativity, so it's important to encourage their diverse reading preferences.

Lead By Example

Much like anything in life, as a parent, you can encourage your child by modeling the behavior you want to see. Active parents are more likely to have active children as they see this as beneficial and normal, and habits will be instilled in them. If, as a family, you prioritize reading and your child sees you reading, they will be more likely to pick up a book or reading material to entertain themselves, too.

So, if you are struggling to get your child to read, then why not pick up a book yourself and see if leading by example rubs off on your kids, and they, too, spend time reading.

Make It Interactive

The more exciting and fun it is to read, the easier it will be for them to want to read or read because they are forced to or told to. You can use these 11 Pre-Reading Strategies: 3 Basics and 8 Fun Activities at Home to help you get your kids interested in the book they're about to read or to help them decide on the types of books they want to read. The more you involve them in the book before reading it, the more likely they will want to read it once you have them excited about it. Or you can use other tactics to help you engage your child and make the book more interactive and fun for them.

You're essentially trying to bring the book to life and have the story be more than the written word. They can act out scenes, write songs about what the book is about, they can ask questions about what they think the book is about, and so much more. For instance, you can encourage them to draw a picture of their favorite scene or discuss the characters and their actions. These activities not only make reading more fun but also enhance their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Read with Them

Even if your child is old enough to read themselves, reading with them can help make it a more enjoyable experience and foster a deeper enjoyment of reading. A good tip is to let them pick the book they want to read. This way, they will already be excited about what is coming up next. Because the more you make things enjoyable, the greater the chance they will not want to do it again and again and form a habit and love of reading. Reading with your child, even if they can read on their own, provides an opportunity for quality time and can help them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the book they're reading. It also allows you to discuss the story, characters, and themes, which can enhance their comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Reading with your child can have many positive benefits, including increased language skills, improved cognitive abilities, imagination, and creativity, and it can support a deeper relationship with your child.

Create a Reading Space

​Creating a dedicated reading space or a space that is designed to support reading can significantly increase the chances of your child settling down with a good book or indulging in any type of reading material. What this space will look like for your child will be different, but a comfortable space to read good lighting, reduced noise levels, and decor that is designed to help facilitate a relaxing and enjoyable place to settle down. It could be their bed that is the perfect reading nook for them, a window seat, a bean bag on the floor, or even if you have space, a dedicated home library that allows them to indulge in books in a space that is solely for reading only.

Visit Your Local Library

Introducing your child to your library is a fantastic way to help bring the world of reading to life. Especially if you time your visits for special events or activities, your library might have running.

Not only are librarians one of the greatest resources for readars, but they can also be a great way to bring literacy to life in an environment that is designed for maximum reading enjoyment regardless of age. If you're struggling to get your child to read, head to your library, let them peruse the books, see what is going on, and allow them to go at their own pace, whether you check out books or you allow them to settle down to join activities or read a book during your visit.

Use Reading Apps

Reading apps can be a great tool to help you engage your kids and utilize technology. It might be that you can use the app to help with spelling, encourage creative writing, or find fun tasks or quizzes on books you might be reading. You can also use an app to read books directly, i.e., Kindle. But in an age where technology s is integrated into everything we do, using it to help you encourage your child to read more can enable you to get them involved in both reading and improving their digital literacy too.

Reading is one of the best things you can do, and it has many benefits for both adults and kids alike.

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