How Do You Get Your Child to Love Reading?

Me in a bookstore a few years ago, reading Smile by Raina Telgemeier.

In an era of attention-grabbing technology, it can be hard for kids to see the appeal of cracking open book: why wade through 50+ pages to find out if the dragon is defeated by the monster when they can find quicker satisfaction in a video game? For many parents, getting their child to enjoy reading—or even willing to pick up a book—can be a struggle. "We want to get kids reading, but they are under increasing pressure to do so, and it can overshadow the joy of this wonderful shared activity," says Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D., in an interview for Parents. A professor emerita at Lesley University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the author of Taking Back Childhood, Carlsson has studied the topic extensively. And while many parents want their kids to become proficient readers, she reminds parents that they "shouldn't be the ones reinforcing lessons or obsessing about fundamentals: they should simply be reading with their kids—that's it."

That means keeping things light and fun—reading should be a way to transport you to new destinations, escape to fantasy worlds, and step into the shoes of anyone from a dragon-slaying wizard to a daredevil pirate. Treating reading like it’s something magical rather than a mandatory activity is a great way to make your child believe it too—and here are some tips on how to do that.

Read with your child—even if they can do it themselves.

This is a good way to make reading a social activity: by enjoying it with your child. As someone whose parents did this all the time (even when I could read by myself) it can be a great way to get your child to enjoy reading, since you can experience the story together. Books can be less daunting when you're sharing them with someone. This is also a good opportunity to model what a good reader looks like. As you read, ask questions. “Why do you think the the main character did that?” “What do you think is going to happen next?” This encourages them to interact with the book and think about what has happened so far, making it an interactive experience.

Take them to the library.

This is perhaps one of the more obvious ways to encourage an interest in reading: put them in an environment where they are surrounded by books. Librarians can provide good suggestions on books your child might enjoy. To make this more enticing, you can schedule playdates or meet-ups with friends at the library. Libraries also usually have activities or events going on at a given time, so check in at their front desk or website to see what’s going on, You can bring your child to some of them. The end goal is to have your them associate the library with positive experiences.

Introduce them to stories they will enjoy.

When trying to encourage a child to read, it's important to keep their interests in mind. As much as you might want them to read one thing or another, forcing your child to read something they won't enjoy will only serve to put them off reading even more. Ask yourself this: what topics do they enjoy? What genres? What mediums? Be it fiction or nonfiction, fantasy or sci-fi, comics or graphic novels--these are all things to consider when getting your child to read.

Keep an open mind.

This is in my opinion the most important factor in getting your child to enjoy reading. I have seen many parents (including my own) that criticize their children for reading certain types of books, such as graphic novels. It’s important to remember that a different medium of literature doesn’t mean that a book is any less valuable. Every genre can provide something different. Fantasy novels can open the imagination. Nonfiction can provide interesting facts about the world. Graphic novels can provide a visual aid into the author’s unique vision. You can offer them different types of books, but you shouldn't force them. At the end of the day, the goal is to get your child to enjoy reading—the genre shouldn't matter.

Create a designated space for reading—and make it fun.

Blanket forts, fluffy pillows, fairy lights—all are simple, easy things that you can add to a designated space for reading to make it comfortable and inviting. Setting aside a quiet corner for reading and making it cozy and inviting is a great way to encourage your child to read in a space where they might want to hang out.

Start a club.

Reading clubs are a great way to get your child interested in reading. After all, if their friend is doing it, they’ll want to do it too. Have your child ask a friend or two, pick a deadline and meeting place, and start the conversation with a few basic opening questions to get them talking (favorite scene, funniest moment, etc). By making reading a social experience, your child is more likely to enjoy it.

Surround them with books.

An effective way to get your child into reading is simply by stashing books everywhere. By not keeping books in one place or tucked away on a shelf, they’ll be more encouraged to pick them up. The kitchen, bedside tables, even the bathroom—all are great places to stack a few books where your child can easily pick them up. You should change up the sort of books they have around too—an uneventful weekend? A long holiday? Hit up the library and find books on topics your child is currently interested in, and leave them around the house and in the car. Encourage them to bring books on long road trips, flights, or even that one grocery trip where you know they’re going to be bored. You might be surprised how simply being around books can encourage reading habits.