Clever Ways To Help Kids Discover The Fun Of Reading

One of the most important things parents can do is raise a reader. Successful reading leads to successes in academics and gives kids a solid start in life. In fact, recent research shows that kids who read at least 15 minutes a day have accelerated reading gains.

But no matter how diligently parents support reading, sometimes kids resist. Books have to compete with those oh-so-scintillating devices, video games and streaming apps. To help your reluctant reader discover the fun of reading, try these ideas to get them started.

Photo by Ilanna Greenfield

Kids can earn oodles of free stuff

Ask Alexa, Siri or Google “What free stuff can kids earn by reading?” and oodles of items will pop up. By merely recording the titles they are reading, my own children have earned pizzas, frozen yogurt, books from Barnes & Noble and amusement park tickets. One time my son turned in the most reading logs in our local summer reading program and got to be interviewed on the radio by a DJ. She gave him a basket of goodies including movie tickets for our entire family.

Put books throughout the house

Don’t cage them up on the shelves! Research shows that kids from print-rich homes are better readers, but it helps if the books, magazines and newspapers are out where kids can see them.
When my son was eight, he announced that he didn’t want to read non-fiction books because they bored him. I checked out a big stack of nonfiction titles from the library and in my most nonchalant voice said, “You don’t have to read these, but I think I will. They seem very interesting.” I strategically placed the books throughout the house, concentrating on his favorite places. That kid read every book by the end of the week.

Put bins and baskets of books in the bathroom, in the car, and spread out books with inviting covers all over hard surfaces in your home.

Let your child earn extra bedtime reading

Have you noticed that your child who has a plague-like aversion to reading during the day suddenly develops a fondness for it at bedtime? Embrace this and let your child earn extra reading time at bedtime. Extend lights out for a few minutes — as long as your child spends that time reading.

Make the reading space inviting and comfortable

Consider a tent with twinkle lights. Plump pillows. Comfy chairs. Make your child’s reading space as comfortable and inviting as you can. The most original reading space I’ve seen was at a school. It was a model of the fictional Narnia ship Dawn Treader.  Kids climbed a ladder to a reading nook on top that was cushioned with carpet and pillows.

Sometimes what adults think is simple is a kid’s reading castle.  When my children were young they draped a sleeping bag over the footboard of our queen-sized bed. Extending it from the back of the bed, they lapped it over a chair and then curled up with their books in the “reading fort.” When reading time was over, we put everything away. Another fun thing my kids have done is build a “reading cave” with old moving boxes.

Read the book and rent the movie

Every year new films come out that are inspired by books. If your child wants to see a movie that was based on a book, have them read the book first and then rent the movie and watch it together. Compare the two, and have your child explain which he or she liked better, the movie or the book.

Graphic novels, comics and audio books all count

They may not be the conventional kind of books parents grew up with, but they may draw your child into reading. And while you are mixing it up, let them read comic books. Oh, and throw in some audio books and let them read on a device sometimes. Imagine all the possibilities that might engage your child in reading.

Let your child have a magazine subscription

I let my daughter have a magazine subscription, and she chose “Ask Magazine” for science and art lovers. She reads every edition repeatedly, quoting facts and digging further into topics like poisonous plants and venomous animals. Magazine subscriptions that come specifically for the kids of the house make them feel grown up and tempt them to read. Some good ones to try: Ask, Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, Sports Illustrated Kids, Cobblestone, Ladybug and Highlights.

Look for the humor

From Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, to Peggy Parish’s Amelia Bedelia, or Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine, a funny story is a good way to hook a book lover. And if you read a humorous book with your child, you might find yourself chuckling along, too.

Have fun with lights

Let them read with a flashlight under the covers. Also, there are a plethora of really cool reading lights in today’s universe. Headlamps are a unique option, and there are even book lights that keep track of minutes read.

Model a reading life

Carve out time daily for your child to see you poring over the paper, curling up with your favorite book, or discussing a tidbit from a magazine. Model a reading life, and your child will be more likely to embrace the same literature-loving values.