How To Encourage Your Child To Read: Do's and Don'ts

How To Encourage Your Child To Read: Dos And Don'ts

You’re looking at your child, wishing he/she would get off their device for once and enjoy a book. What can they be doing on a device for this long? 

You are frustrated. Annoyed. But whenever you suggest reading they refuse or lose interest quickly.

Luckily, we see you and are here to help. We can see this problem from both your eyes, and the eyes of your child. 

We have compiled a list of do’s and don’ts to help you get your child to not only read books, but eventually find it enjoyable and maybe - just maybe - pick up one instead of going on their device.

Let’s get into the list...

Dos

1. Lead by Example

Why should your child read if you don’t? The first thing to do if you want your child to read more is to do that very thing yourself and express enjoyment about it.

Please be cautious, however, it will scare your child off if they think you are forcing the enjoyment of books, so just be casual about it.

2. Go To The Library

Often when a child receives a book, they feel pressured to read it because someone has spent money on it. 

In a library, this is not the case. Your child feels less pressure, making them more likely to enjoy the process AND they get to pick their own book(s), developing their interest in books and knowledge of the books they like.

Lend/Recommend

3. Lend/Recommend

If your child is the right age, you could also consider lending them a book you have just read, or recommended a book to them. My mam does this often, and it is always great to get new reading material. 

Another great thing about this is it starts conversation about the book you have lent them, and possible books in general. Just be careful that your child feels no pressure to read this particular book (see the list of don’ts)

4.Encourage Them

Everyone wants to know that what they’re doing is right, and a little bit of praise doesn’t go amiss for anyone.

If you see them reading, say something! Even a “nice book” or a “good job” can reassure them that you see them and are pleased with their behaviour.

5. Read To Them

Consider reading to your child. Many people associate this with younger children only, but it can be just as good for older children too.

Even if your child is perfectly capable of reading to themselves, it can still be enjoyable and relaxing to be read to.

We personally were read to until the age of 10, but you can go older than this if you like. For older children, at least, we recommend reading to them before bed. This is a good time for many, as most parents are free and it is a relaxing way to wind down before bed.

6. Talk 

Talk to your child about books. Openly ask them “what do you like/dislike?” (about reading in general or specific books)

This can help to encourage your child to read, and can also help you to see where they’re at in terms of books.

It can also be helpful to know about books they like so you can pick books they enjoy if you ever have to get books for them.

7. Embrace The ‘Seasons’ 

You need to embrace that your child’s enthusiasm for reading will ebb and flow.

This happens to us too, and that’s natural. Just don’t pressure your child to read if they don’t want to, as it may set them against reading for longer. Their interest will come back naturally.

8. Create A Shelf And a Space

What could be more satisfying than having a beautiful space to retreat to with a book? 

We know we’d feel motivated to read in an area like this, and if you want to give your child an extra nudge in the right direction, consider creating or adding to an area for their books or their reading area.

Don'ts

1. Pressure Them

Pressuring your child to read is possibly the worst thing you could do.

Everyone enjoys free will and if your child feels that it's being taken away from them, they will reject the whole idea of reading. 

Just gently encourage them to read, but do not stress it.

2. Tell Them What To Read

Similar to the above point, being told what you can and can’t read is limiting and can feel controlling to your child. 

While it is fine to ban inappropriate books, please, please please do not tell a child a book is “too young/girly/boyish for them”. This is EXTREMELY discouraging, and will almost certainly lead to them refusing to read.

3. Expect Instant Enjoyment

While we can vouch that books reading is a great way to spend time, you child will most probably not agree at first. And that’s ok.

Just keep encouraging them to read and eventually they will enjoy it too.

Side note: If you child has a sudden spike in interest in reading, talk to them about it. What book are they reading? Try to get them similar books again.

Side side note: Keep in mind the seasons of reading. Try not to get too excited or too disappointed in ebbs and flows in interest :).

4. Get Too caught Up in Numbers

“My child read for 1 hour!” “my child read 100 pages!”. "Why is my child not like that?" you might wonder.

In this situation, try to remember that consistency is key. It is better to read 10 minutes every day than 1 hour inconsistently.

5. Force Them To Finish

Similar to the fist don’t, forcing a child to finish a book they don’t like is a recipe for disaster. 

Think about it: say a child spends 1 hour a week reading. If this hour was made up of boring and tedious books rather than ones that excite them, they won’t come back for more.

So, while it is frustrating to watch your child “give up” halfway through a book, enjoyment is more important than finishing for a reluctant reader.

Conclusion

All children deserve to enjoy reading books. And we believe every child will, given the opportunity. They just need a little support, that’s all.

Just the fact that you came to this post today and finished it shows that you value reading, and want your child to do so too.

Best of luck :)

Saoirse xx