How to Encourage Your Kids to Love Reading

As soon as you announce you’re expecting, the advice starts flooding in. And arguably it doesn’t stop until your kids go off to college. From when to cut the pacifier to tips on self-soothing. “Shorten nap times for a better night’s sleep.” “Long naps are crucial for development.” It can all be confusing and frustrating to navigate.

So of course, we’re here to give you more advice. But this one is pretty irrefutable:

Read to them.

Reading to your kids is great for brain development and can even be used as a soothing technique. It sparks creativity and fuels their imaginations. Reading yields tons of benefits, starting at an early age. So, we’ve put together some easy tips on navigating the wonderful world of reading to your kids.

1. Content is king

You might think reading "Pride and Prejudice" to your little ones can turn them into a baby genius. But unfortunately, there’s no evidence there. Your child’s brain develops rapidly from one to three years old, so it’s important to read at their level of comprehension. 

Picture books are recommended so your child is not only taking in the story through words, but through images, too. Illustrated books are an easy tool to help fuel their imagination. Look for books they will understand, but will also teach them something new. Like a word they’ve never heard before. And get excited when they ask questions to encourage their curiosity and inquisitiveness.

Starting early and reading regularly is important. Studies show regularly reading to children can produce a soothing effect in kids and actually strengthen the bond between parent and child. Reading to them has proven benefits, like happier and better-behaved kids, which is a win for everyone.

2. Get them involved

Engage with your child as you read to them. Point to common words as you read them aloud to promote word recognition. Point to pictures while reading so your child can connect what they're hearing to what they see. Let them turn the page. Keeping them involved will keep them engaged in the story.

As soon as they’re old enough, let them pick the book you read. Plan weekly library visits and let them choose books to get them invested in it. And always treat reading as a reward, not a punishment. Creating negative connotations around reading can result in a lifetime dislike of it. Try using a book as an incentive to pick up their room or get ready for bed. The goal is to help them look forward to reading.

3. Go beyond reading

This one requires a little more effort, but it’s so worth it. When reading, try using different voices for different characters. Act out parts of the story and encourage your child to do the same. Use props if you really want to get into it. This is the part that helps build strong bonds between the two of you. And chances are, you’ll both end up having fun.

You don’t have to do this every time you read; you can save it for special occasions. But you might just have so much fun that you start doing it more often.

We know that as a parent, you juggle a lot during the week. Planning meals, pick-ups, doctor visits, and sports can make something like reading fall lower on the priority list. And that’s okay. Encourage another family member to read to them. Or once they’re old enough, build in time for independent reading.

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