Getting children to fall in love with reading doesn’t always come easy – some kids pick up books naturally, while others need a little bit of encouragement, and in the end, the secret isn’t just about finding the right book, but instead you’ll want to build their confidence so that any book can be the right book (although they’re sure to have their favourites, as we all do).
That means there shouldn’t be any pressure and there’s no need for anyone to be perfect – and no expectations that they will be either. It should just feel fun, and with the right support, every child can really start to enjoy reading. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Make Reading Part Of Everyday Life
One of the easiest ways to help children connect with books is to make them a part of everyday life – that might mean reading signs in the supermarket, spotting words on the back of cereal boxes, or perhaps flicking through a funny comic together on the sofa. Little moments like these add up, and they’ll show your child that reading isn’t just something you do in school – it’s part of everything you do all the time.
That way, kids can start to see that words are all around them and they’ll begin to recognise patterns, ask questions, and, most importantly, realise that reading can be useful and even entertaining.
Build Confidence First
Many children don’t read because they’re scared of getting it wrong, so the goal should always be to build confidence before anything else, and that’s where choosing the right kind of book comes in.
Simple, engaging stories that follow clear patterns and repeat familiar sounds can really work wonders, and for younger readers, decodable readers are very helpful. These books are designed to match the sounds and phonics they’ve already learned, and that makes thte reading process feel easier and when kids realise they can read something on their own, even if it’s just a few pages, it gives them a huge boost.
Let Them Lead
One of the best ways to make reading feel special is to let children take the lead. If they’re into dinosaurs, grab books about dinosaurs, and if they love space, find stories about other planets or aliens, for example. Even if it’s something silly, it’s their interest and that’s what’s going to make them want to read about it.
On top of that, when children feel like they’ve got a say in things, they’re far more likely to pick up a book and give it a go. It doesn’t have to be perfect reading, either, as long as they’re trying and engaging – and having fun.
Keep It Positive
The more relaxed the atmosphere, the more progress you’ll see, so it’s a good idea to celebrate small wins, laugh together, and re-read old favourites no matter how often you’ve read them before. There’s no rush and every child learns at their own pace, so just enjoy the process as much as anything else.
The reality is that before long, all this positivity will mean your child automatically reaches for a book when they need some entertainment, and that’s something that can last a lifetime.