Published August 1, 2024
Reading is magical—it can help make kids smarter, kinder, and happier. Reading is a great way to develop their young brains and bring out their best (click here for more info on why reading is so important for children). But getting your kids to read—that’s easier said than done in this digital age when smartphones, TV, and social media are such a distraction. So, here are eight ways to get even the most reluctant readers into books.
1. Start a Book Club
Reading is great for getting in some quality alone time. But if your kids are more social, they might enjoy a book club. You can find a book club online, through the local library, or start one of your own with your child’s friends or classmates. Joining a club like this can be helpful for several reasons:
- Setting regular times to meet helps them learn accountability.
- Chatting with their friends about what they liked or disliked about the book, and what they learned from it improves their comprehension.
- And sharing the experience of reading the same book with others can help make reading fun.
When it comes to reading, sometimes, the more the merrier!
2. Create a Fun Space
Take an afternoon to create a cozy reading nook with your kids. It could be in their bedroom or in a common area, if you have the space. Throw some spare pillows on the floor and hang a blanket from the wall or ceiling to make a canopy. Plug in a small lamp so they won’t strain their eyes. Ask your kids what little details would make them want to spend time there—maybe they want to create some book or reading-related artwork to hang up around the nook. Maybe they want to bring in some stuffed animals they can read to. You’ll end up with a nice, welcoming nook that’s a fun place to be, and hopefully, a fun place to read. And that tiny little shift might be exactly the push they need to get started.
3. Let Them Pick the Book
Books that are assigned for school are definitely important. Your child’s teacher picks these books for a reason. But let’s face it—required reading just feels different than reading for fun. So, if your kid is a reluctant reader, try letting them pick a few books for themselves. According to Scholastic, “self-selected reading is twice as powerful as teacher-selected reading in developing motivation and comprehension.” So, if you’re trying to get the ball rolling, ask your child what they’re interested in, help them pick a book, and see what sticks. And don’t forget: the library is a fantastic resource! Librarians are there to help readers of all ages find books to entertain and inspire them. Click here to find your nearest branch.
4. Don’t Limit Them to Books
Reading is all about building up your child’s vocabulary, teaching them to structure their thoughts, and helping stimulate their brain. But they can do each of those things in a lot of different ways. So, consider comic books, graphic novels, or magazines like National Geographic Kids or TIME for Kids. You can also introduce them to poetry, plays, and The Guinness Book of World Records. Reading comes in all shapes and sizes. So, let your kids pick the format, or click here for more ideas.
5. Read in Front of Them
Most people think of peer pressure as a bad thing. But you can also use it for good. Picking up a book and reading, yourself, subtly invites your kids to do the same. Think about blocking off an hour before bed, reading together as a family, and starting a healthy routine. Pulling them away from screens right before bedtime can even improve their sleep cycle.
6. Talk About Their Dreams
Do your kids have a dream for their future? Do they know what they want to be when they grow up? Reading can help them get there. According to a study by the University of Oxford, there’s a strong link between reading as a child and success as an adult. So, encourage your kids to read by explaining that it’s a reliable way to a better place in life.
7. Experiment with Audiobooks
Should your kids read physical books? Should they listen to audiobooks? And what if they do both at the same time? Those are great questions. The answers are still being explored, but according to a study from Bloomsburg University, each of those options is great. Listening to audiobooks can be a great way to make household chores or exercising more fun, too!
8. Ring the Bell
Everyone loves recognition. That’s why a lot of sales teams ring a bell after they close a deal. Is there a similar ritual you can bring to your house? Think about getting a tiny little bell, a gong, or a chime. And after your kids finish a new book, invite them to “ring the bell” and share the good news with the rest of the family. Will it encourage them to read? You never know until you try. But if you have a reluctant reader, anything is worth a shot.
9. Bring in Some Furry Friends
The Indianapolis Public Library has a great resource for reluctant readers: the Paws to Read program. You can sign your child up for a 15-minute session with a registered therapy dog, who is all too pleased to listen to stories! Reading aloud to an adorable, non-judgmental pup could be just the thing to boost your new or reluctant reader’s confidence and help them improve their reading skills. Click here for dates and locations near you.
You might not think your child is much of a reader. But think again. Because maybe they just need a different approach. So, try letting them pick the book, creating a simple reading-nook, or starting a family reading hour. Because if they’re reading, they’re growing. And there’s no wrong way to grow.
Tags: reading, reading for fun, reading with kids, reluctant readers