How to get your kids to read more – 15 Creative Ways and Suggestions

By cultivating good habits from an early age, one can help a child develop into a well-rounded person who is knowledgeable, open to diversity, and compassionate.

Reading is one habit that provides children with an escape, challenging their imagination while teaching them morals and essential lessons. For many kids, reading comes naturally. For others, it can prove problematic due to a short attention span, a complete lack of interest, or any such reason.

As a result, several parents struggle, unable to decide how to get kids to read more. Nevertheless, it is up to parents and teachers to encourage kids to read, and when necessary, try different ways to go about it. 

Take a gentle approach

If you're wondering how to make children read more, start with not forcing them in any way. If you do so, they are likely to consider it a chore and grow to dislike it altogether. Instead, prod them in the right direction calmly, creating an atmosphere that inspires them to pick up a book and read it on their own.

Involve kids in the selection process

The best way to get started on reading is by involving your kids in the book selection process. When children choose a book on their own, they feel a sense of pride and are more likely to read it. You can supplement their decision by coming to an agreement where they are allowed to read a book of their choosing provided they also read one picked by you.  

Explore different genres

Very much like adult readers, children have preferences too. Only, they might not be able to differentiate between genres yet. When looking at how to get your child to read books, consider buying stories that fall under various styles and themes. If your child prefers a specific type of writing, go ahead and purchase similar books to keep their interest at a peak. 

Surround yourself with books

Surrounding yourself with books not only encourages children but also helps develop a regular reading habit among adults. When kids see books around the house, in bookshelves, on bedside tables, and in their room, curiosity eventually leads them to pick one up. Moreover, having reading material nearby makes children more accustomed to the idea that books are an essential part of life and should be treasured.

Read in front of your children

Research has proven that children are quick to imitate their parents. For adults looking at how to get kids to read, the simplest thing to do is sit in front of them with a book in hand. You need not talk about books or even involve your child in the activity. Merely watching you with a novel will positively affect the child, making them inquisitive about books sooner or later.  

Make a schedule

Most children are used to following a schedule, primarily because they do that in school. The same process at home can make reading more effective. Plan your child's day in such a fashion that you set aside time for them to sit and read. It is recommended that you don't leave reading until the end of the day when children are usually tired. Instead, figure out when they are most alert and start with 15 minutes to half an hour of reading at first. 

Allow kids to read on their own

Often parents become so involved that it harms their child's reading progress. It is okay to give them space. Allow your child to read in their room or wherever they want as it boosts their confidence and helps lead the way to a more individualistic reading habit. If you are worried about them skipping, tell your kid that you would like to know the story once they are finished.

Encourage kids to read aloud

There are several benefits of reading aloud. In the case of smaller children, it helps them process the information better, pronounce words correctly, and understand the nuances of language. As a parent, you are more aware of what and how your child is reading. Furthermore, when speaking, a child's focus is less likely to wander. As they listen to themselves, they are more involved in the story, leading to better understanding and association with the book's characters. For a little more fun, encourage your child to come up with different voices for all the various characters. 

Plan activities around books

When finding ways to inspire your child to read more, plan wholesome activities that revolve around books. For starters, make it a routine to visit libraries and bookshops regularly. By converting book buying into a fun project, you add more elements to the idea of reading. After all, browsing through packed bookshelves is every book lover's dream come true. Monthly outings also encourage your child to finish a book so that they can get another one. 

At home, work on the idea of reading beyond just finishing the book. Once your child is done, sit down with them and discuss the story in detail. You can ask them to draw scenes or do a craft based on the characters from the book. As a result, reading becomes an educational and playful experience. 

Talk about books

When trying to find ways to make children read, a lot of people focus too much on the actual act of reading. While that is the ultimate goal, it is equally important to get kids to talk freely about books. Once again, these conversations about books need not involve your child directly. You can, for example, tell them about your favorite books as a child over dinner. Maybe speak of an author you met in person or a bookstore that you used to visit with your parents. The idea is to bring books into everyday conversations, increasing your child's curiosity towards reading in the process.

Incorporate technology with reading

Due to technological advancements, there is a growing concern regarding the time children spend in front of screens. By incorporating books and reading into a child's daily screen time, we can make it more productive. There is the option of reading eBooks via Kindle that a child might find fascinating. For a more visually interactive option, apps based on books, like that of Dr. Seuss, bring alive stories via sound, graphics, and animations, making reading a fun exercise.

Create a reading space

When it is book reading time, parents should not be too fussy about where a child wants to sit. When tackling how to get kids to read, it doesn't matter if they are on a couch, in bed, or in the garden. Still, creating an exclusive space can very well do the trick to get them started. You can then decorate it with bright colors, book characters, or favorite toys. However, do limit possible distractions so that the focus remains on reading the book.

Mix movies and books

A stimulating way to get your kids to read more is by combining books with a movie-watching experience. With many book adaptations available as films and TV series, you can ask your child to read the book before watching it on the screen. Afterward, you can take the activity further by asking your child if they liked the book or the movie better and why.  

Start a book club

Starting a book club with neighborhood kids is an innovative idea that can help inspire a child to read. Get together with parents in your community, fix a time and a place, assign a book, and let all the children come together to talk about characters and plots. A reading group will also allow the kids to discuss books with someone their own age, helping them relate better with the stories.

Explore other reading materials

Remember that when you think about how to get kids to read, the emphasis is on learning. Therefore, don't stick to just books or any particular type of novel. Magazines, newspapers, children's picture books, and pop-up books are all equally necessary and effective. In fact, they present kids with diverse formats, keeping their reading material fresh and more engaging.