Image credit: Joshua Hoover, US Dept. of Education

While some children are born readers, who will thrust their nose into a book given any opportunity, other children are somewhat reluctant. 

In fact, we’ve all heard parents who describe their children as kids who “hate to read”.

At Book Village, we don’t believe any child hates reading – we just think that they haven’t found the right book yet. 

If this sounds like your child, don’t despair. We have a bunch of tips below on how to encourage (or trick) your little one into reading:

1. Read by example

It’s no accident that parents who love reading often pass this love on to their children. If you read regularly, instead of passing time in front of the TV or on your mobile device, your child is more likely to follow. 

2. Don’t quit bedtime-stories

Even once your child is old enough to read independently, they can still get great pleasure from being read to. 

This time is so important in terms of bonding, creating a positive feeling about reading and can be an opportunity for you to read longer novels that may be just out of your child’s reading ability. 

3. Reread old favourites

It’s perfectly natural for younger children to enjoy the same book over and over again – let them. Through repetition, they learn new words and correct grammar. 

4. Take turns while reading to your child

You read one page, they read one page. This way, your child gets to practice reading while enjoying the story. 

5. Let your child read whatever they want – no judgement

Even if the book is way below your child’s reading level! 

Reading should be a fun activity, so don’t limit them to novels or books without pictures. A comic book or a book of jokes still harbor many of the same benefits of reading as a longer, more involved book. 

6. Find a book that your child can relate to

This seems obvious, but so many children love to read stories that they can relate to, with characters who they can aspire to be like. 

This post from the Book Trust has a wonderful list of age appropriate books for different age groups of children under 14, and is a great place to start!

Above all, reading needs to be a fun and enjoyable part of your child’s every-day life. Reading shouldn’t be a chore or a punishment. Furthermore, reading for pleasure should be a no-judgement activity. 

Raising a reader starts at home. What are you reading today?