Getting kids to read is not always easy! But studies show that children who develop a love of reading will be more likely to be successful lifelong readers and learners. Independent reading seems to lead to the success of lifelong readers, but getting kids to read and to love reading often takes time.
Although some children are born readers, for other children, that’s just not so! Getting some children to read and to love reading takes time and patience! And finding the right book takes time, but it can be done!!
If you really want to get your child to love reading, let them read what they want. At first, you may not be happy about your child’s reading choices and you may cringe at their picks, but hold your tongue because those awful choices may just stir up a love of reading.
Just as long as it’s appropriate, then I recommend any reading material to get a child interested in reading.
And for the child who already loves to read, these ideas to get kids reading will deepen the love your child already has!
There are several reasons why a child may not like to read, from just not finding the right book to lacking the reading skills to be a successful reader.
Getting kids to read may take time, but it is possible!!!
I have been asked numerous times, “How do I get my child to read and to love reading.” My immediate response is letting parents know to let their child read EVERYTHING in sight! I also suggest filling their home with all types of reading material!
Fun Ways to Get Your Kids to Read
- Purchase or make a “reading” tent in your home!
- Copy the words to a song and sing it!
- Wear special fake glasses while you read!
- Use a flashlight to focus on words as they’re being read!
- Use a magnifying glass to focus on words as they’re being read!
- Have a turn off the tv and read night, game night, movie night, etc.
- Make a bookmark or other craft to promote reading.
Other Ideas to Get Kids Reading
Mix it up sometimes when you’re reading with your child:
- Read the book pages at the same time.
- You read one page and your child reads the next.
- Find a new spot in the house or outside to read.
- Have your child read to your pet.
- Ask your child to read to a stuffed animal.
- Have your child read to a family member or friend.
- Make a craft connected to the story they are reading.
More Ways to Get Your Child to Love Reading
Read Different Books
E-Books
Magazines
Games
Brochures
Signs
Menus
Recipes from recipe books or magazines
Read Using Different Types of Devices
Computers
Amazon Fire
Apple iPad
CD Player
Ways to Promote Reading
1. Visit your Public Library. Have your child explore different genres or types of books. Many times libraries have storytime for your child to attend!
2. Also, visit a Book Store and have your child explore. Many times bookstores also have story hours for your child to attend.
3. Be a Role Model for your child. Have them see you enjoy reading.
4. Read every single day with your child!
MORE IDEAS TO GET YOUR CHILD READING!
1.Drop everything and read –The whole family or just you and your child can drop everything and read a book, magazine, tech device, recipe, cereal box, etc. Even if your child can’t even read yet, you can have them look at different reading material, you could read to them, etc. Make it exciting – add hot chocolate, etc.
2. Read in the Dark night – Turn out the lights and use flashlights to read, discuss the letters in the words, the words, the story, etc.
3. Get in a tent and read! – Have fun! (the best part about his is that you can either make this a family event or have your child sit solo in the tent and read). You can either buy or make a tent by throwing a blanket over a table. Some of my school’s classrooms have a little tent in them and the kids LOVE to sit and read in them!!!
4. Reading Rally – Compete on who can read for the longest time by not moving out of place. You can compete with your child, have your child compete with a sibling, friend, etc.
READING INFORMATION
There are also many games and other aids to help your child read or to reinforce their reading skills.
Your child’s teacher is your best resource and your child’s school may be able to help you with the materials needed to assist in your child’s reading progress.
Reading Rockets is just one of the many websites that can suggest activities and resources for getting kids to read. There is an abundance of resources available to you!
This is a guide given by some school systems for selecting a “just-right” book
The five-finger rule
Read the first page of the book and put a finger up for every word you don’t know.
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- If you have 0 or 1 fingers up after reading the page, it’s too easy.
- Having 2 or 3 fingers up after reading the page, it’s just right.
- If you have 4 fingers up after reading the page, it’s very challenging.
- Having 5 or more fingers up after reading the page, it’s too hard.
This is a general guide, it’s fine to let your child read easier or harder books if that’s what they’re drawn to, but eventually, you’ll want your child reading most reading material using the above guide.
FYI-General Steps to Teach a Child to Read
These are just some of the steps your child’s teacher will take starting in kindergarten to ensure your child’s success in reading.
Oral Language – a child’s understanding of the structure of language.
Phonemic Awareness – a child being able to hear the sounds in words.
Letter recognition/Identification – when a child sees a letter, he/she should be able to recognize the letter and be able to identify it.
Letter/Sound Correspondence– a child needs to know each letter and the sound that goes with that letter.
Sight Words – these are words that each child should practice so that they will know them immediately when they see them in their reading assignments.
Vocabulary – a child should know the meaning of multiple words.
Comprehension – a child will also need to put the words and meanings together to be able to understand what he/she is reading.
And Some Post Reviews
Reluctant Readers
I have categorized reluctant readers into 10 different types, from the ones who struggle to read because they lack the proper reading skills to the type who thinks it’s not “cool” to read. This is just one of my posts on reluctant readers – it has book suggestions, book trailers, ebooks, videos, etc. from my post on Reluctant Readers, click here for the full post:
Memory Help
Some struggling readers have a hard time keeping up with the rules of our language. This post goes over many strategies that can help your child remember what they need to do to get ready for school, the rules of the English language, tricky vocabulary, math facts, etc.
Reading Skills Practice
Some kids who are not a fan of reading, simply are not good at reading and it frustrates them! Reading skills can help any reader excel in their reading. This post suggests 25 easy ways to practice reading skills with your child.
Kids Who Are Just Entering Kindergarten
And for the child who hasn’t entered kindergarten yet, check out these two posts to get them ready for kindergarten and the experience of attending school and making sure that they are ready to read. There are tons of easy and fun ways to get them prepared for kindergarten in each of the cognitive, physical, language, and social/emotional developmental stages.
More Posts on Various Topics
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- How to Help Your Child Get Ready to Read!
- Memory Techniques to Help Your Child Remember Information
- 25 Ideas for Reading Skills Practice at Home!
- How to Help Your Struggling Reader at Home
- Memory Techniques to Help Your Child Remember Information
- 10 Tips to Improve Your Child’s Reading Comprehension
- Qualities of a Good Preschool
- Kindergarten Readiness Ideas From an Expert
- Super Fun Ideas For Reading Practice
- Is Your Child a Struggling Reader?
- Help Your Child Get Ready For Kindergarten
- Books for Boys Who Hate to Read and Tips to Get Them Reading Today!
- How to Help Your Child Get Ready to Read!
Getting kids to read and to love reading is not a simple task, and it takes a different amount of time for each child. Use these ideas, give your child choices, and be patient as there are lots of resources available to you.
I’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment or question below or email me at mrs.dehm@gmail.com.
Very nice article on kids and reading, I was one of those kids who did not like to read as a child. Now I am always reading something to learn something new, I am always at my library looking for new books to explore. Some kids might take longer to get interested than others, like me?
I hope you have motivated many kids to read through this article, maybe reading to your child is a good way to get them started my parents never read to me?
Thank you for your interest in my web page! As a child, it took me awhile to get started to love to read and that’s why I try so hard to find the right book for a child to love to read!
Hey there! I really enjoyed your article about getting kids to love reading. I have a nephew and I babysit him most of the times. I love to read and I want him to love reading also because the inly thing he does is play on his ipad. I read your article and I found it very informative and helpful. This is a really great article to make kids love reading. I’ll try to go to a library with him and let him roam around to find a book that he would love to read.
I understand what you mean about your nephew’s use of his iPad. Although there are some great e-books and learning apps on the iPads, just playing games that are not educational is only good if it’s a very limited amount of time. For me, there’s nothing like a real book that you put in your hands and enjoy every page!
I love the content you have posted. I myself did not pick up the habit of reading at an early age. In fact, when I was young, my parents tried to encourage me to read to get good results for my English. I like the idea of bringing kids to the library for them to explore different genres of books. They can gradually develop the love for reading from there.
Thank you for your comment. It’s great that your parents encouraged you to read – the exploration of reading starts at home.
This is a great article and highlighting something that isnt talked about nearly enough. People just straight up dont read and its such a shame. I also used to be like this, and wished i wouldve read more books growing up. Now i try to make up for it, but for kids, definately a must. More importnat than school even i think lol
Thank you so much for your comments. I was a late bloomer also – and now I read all my library books (K-5 school), and love it! Thank you again!
Your article brings me back to my teaching days. Great ideas. I found the best way to get students to engage in reading was to find a read aloud book that grabbed them from the first page. The “book talk” that followed was amazing. Wonderful way to check comprehension, character development, etc. The more enthusiasm the teacher or parent exhibits will help to nurture a love of reading in the child. Introducing children to books in a series also works. They can follow the same characters, who become “book friends” involved in different plots. This works well for struggling readers because transitioning from one book to another is less intimidating. Reading at home should be for entertainment and enjoyment which will help to instill a love of reading.
I love your ideas! It’s sooo true that the love of reading starts from home! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! What a lot of information! Wish I had this resource when my children were little and during my early years in teaching. Thank you for sharing ?
I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Please let me know if there are any other topics you’d like to read about!!
Really great information! It is so important for kids to read. I loved reading as a child, and am still inspired by some of those stories I read. Will share this with my daughter for her kids. Thanks for sharing!
I agree 100%. It does seem that the most successful students are good readers. I am glad you like this information and you want to share it with your daughter for her kids! Thank you so much!
Not often some times I find such great and informative blog. its really great and informative post really enjoyed while reading it.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that you enjoy the information on my website! Please let me know if there are any topics you’d like me to cover.
Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to produce a superb
article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get anything done.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I really appreciate your touching on how some kids will learn how to read more on their own, while others will struggle to do so. My sister is trying to help her kids get much better at reading this year. She needs to find some books that they will enjoy so they are more inclined to start reading.
Thank you for your comments! I don’t know the ages of your sister’s kids, but my first suggestion is to surround them with books at an early age!! I have tons of suggestions on my website, this is just one page: https://reading-love.com/kindergarten-first-grade-how-to-get-your-child-to-read/. Best of luck to you. Let me know if I can be of further service!
I agree that kids need the choice to learn what they like to read. I feel like forcing them to read things they are uninterested in would only make them hate reading. I should make sure I show my son a variety of general so he can learn what he is interested in and enjoy reading more.
You are so right! Just having different reading materials available, are sure to spark an interest in reading. Even magazines, the back of cereal boxes, maps, catalogs, etc. are sure to create reading interest! Good luck!
This is a great article, very well-written and informative.
There are many ways to get your kids to love reading and I believe one of the strongest is reading books to your kids and making the story-telling fun and enjoyable.
I agree with you 100%! Reading books and any exposure to books is so beneficial for children! Thank you!
Thanks for the info that a child needs to be able to put the words and meanings together in order to understand what they are reading. My friend is trying to get her daughter interested in reading. She wants her young daughter to stop playing video games, so I’ll share this article with her and help her look for some books her daughter can read.
Finding time to read is so important. It’s great when parents can monitor video games, with a focus on reading books even if they’re reading online. There are great online books(Epic books for kids) that the kids at my school LOVED! I also have great posts (one of them is: https://reading-love.com/how-to-help-a-reluctant-reader/) on getting reluctant readers to read that give tons of suggestions for kids who don’t like to read (yet)! Good luck to your friend and thanks for your comment!
I love your idea to have our child keep track of how many words they don’t know to see if the book is at a good level for them. My husband and I want to start buying digital books for our two daughters since we don’t have room in our small apartment for storage. Thanks for teaching me how we can work with our daughters to find digital books that will be fun and educational for them to read.
That is my favorite guide for finding a great book for your child! It’s so great you are already working on making a reading environment for your child!!! It’s so important for a child to be surrounded by reading material in all forms!!