How to Encourage Your Child to Read

Reading is a very important and rewarding life skill to have – it expands the mind and exposes readers to linguistics. So to help you get started on encouraging your kids to read, we’ve compiled several tips just for you!

1. Read a story together

Reading together is a powerful tool in motivating your child to read (children mimic what they see especially behaviour). Do it as part of your quality time together.

2. Look beyond traditional books

Reading too much texts can be boring for a child – video games, magazines, and comic books are also good for reading practice. Try an activity that invokes them to read to accomplish an objective like playing board games with written instructions or corresponding with a pen pal.

3. Keep it fun

Make reading enjoyable. As you read with your children, keep them involved by asking questions about the story. You can also create activities related to the stories you’re

reading.

4. Make a record

Another approach to motivating your child is to use some sort of visible record of achievement. A chart that marks the number of books a child has read gives him/her a sense of accomplishment.

5. Let them choose their favourites

Ensure there are varieties of books, magazines, and other materials available for your child to choose from. Let your child’s interests guide his or her reading choices.

6. Share your reading journey

Talk to your child about books you’ve read. For a more structured discussion, consider joining, or starting, a parent/child book club.

7. Make time to read

Try to carve time out of your day and dedicate it to reading rather than squeezing it in between soccer and dance lessons. Show that reading is an important activity and fun too.

Don’t dictate your child on what to read as this will discourage them (except for obviously unsuitable reading materials). Let them choose and share the journey with them.