How to get your Child Excited about Reading

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In a society filled with screens and instant gratification, it’s more important than ever for us to foster a love for reading in our children. It helps kids be more creative, expressive and have more vivid imaginations! While raising my kids there have been so many tools and resources that I’ve found over the years that are available to encourage reading. Here are a few of my best tips to invigorate young readers.

Read to and with your Kids
When my kids were little, I loved picking up books to read with them. Still sometimes, as they are older, I will read to them. We also love to have audio books going on car drives or listen to a book we want to watch the movie of as well.
My husband was an English major and always has a book with him, he sets such a good example, which I think has helped my kids see reading modeled in our home.

Find the Right Books
I believe this is the BIGGEST factor in a child’s desire to read. Nothing can pull you in more than an interesting story, and nothing can make you lose your motivation more than one you aren’t clicking with. This may take some research, and possibly trial and error to find ones that interest your child, but I promise it’s worth the work. I used to think only chapter books “counted” but all my kids wanted to read was comic books, then I realized how silly! If comic books were what got them excited to read, great! Over the years they still love comic books and graphic novels but that has stemmed off into chapter books with similar interests as well. My kids and I compiled all of their favorite book series that are age-appropriate and wrote this post about them!

Set up Reading Zones around your Home
I’m all about creating environments to add magic to everyday life. Much like decorating for holidays, incorporating a special “reading zone” for your kids. A corner in your home, a library chair, etc can make those spaces more inviting and encourage readers. I love to keep a book for each kid in the car as well! I also think it’s fun to use reading lights at night to encourage more reading before bed, which is an easy way to wind down and get ready for sleep. I’ve linked all of my favorite night lights on Amazon here.

Switch Up the Medium
With today’s technology, there are so many different ways to take in a story. If reading a physical book is challenging for your child, you have other options! My kids have loved their Kindles, and I’ve linked the kindles/accessories that my family uses here. My daughter also LOVES her Yoto! It’s a Bluetooth speaker that you plug story cards into and it reads them aloud. Here is the link to all of the Yoto gear!

Attitude is Everything!
How we approach and nurture the topic can help create a healthy relationship between our children and reading. Every child is different, and their interest in reading may fluctuate over time. Be patient and supportive, encouraging them without pressure. It’s important to celebrate their milestones, no matter how small, to boost their confidence.

We can help cultivate enthusiastic readers through our ideas and support. Together let’s raise a generation of readers who look forward to discovering the wonders that lie within the pages.

xo Ashley

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