Encouraging Children to Read

Posted on November 10, 2020

by Jozlyn H

Do you wish your kids read more? Lately, my kid has been in a reading rut so I researched some ways to encourage reading at home!

Here is what I found:

Keep books visible and available. When you can, keep your children’s books facing outward so they can see the covers. Place books all over your home and car! Some people like to keep a “basket of books” in each room (even the bathroom!). Pinterest is our best friend when finding creative ways to display children’s books at home.

Write notes to them. Leave little notes around the house, in their lunch box, in the fridge, on the TV remote, just to get them to read a few extra words today.

Keep it fresh. Frequently update your book supply (but keep those favorites available). There is no limit to the number of books you can check out from the library, just be sure you can keep track of all these precious materials.

Pro-Tip: Order a Book Bundle of 20 children’s picture books every month! Then, do a Grab ‘n’ Go pick up! You don’t have to do any of the searching to keep your kid’s book stash fresh and inviting. Once you get home, unpack the books as a family! What a fun monthly activity!

Get comfy and creative. Make a few comfortable “reading nooks” around your home with pillows and blankets. Build a fort to read a story by flashlight. Ask your children to read to their favorite stuffed animals. Bonus points if their favorite animal is a stuffed hedgehog and the story is about a hedgehog (or other matching animal friends, of course)!

Encourage looking at pictures. Not all reading has to be reading the words, pictures and illustrations have a lot of value for children and can spark all sorts of creative ideas and conversations.

Cover of Journey Cover of Journey

Journey

Cover of Free Fall Cover of Free Fall

Free Fall

Cover of Flora and the Flamingo Cover of Flora and the Flamingo

Flora and the Flamingo

Be a role model. Instead of reaching for the TV remote, reach for a book. Children love to mimic what their parents and caregivers do.

Cover of Reading Magic : Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever Cover of Reading Magic : Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever

Reading Magic : Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever

Cover of The Enchanted Hour Cover of The Enchanted Hour

The Enchanted Hour

Cover of The Read Aloud Handbook Cover of The Read Aloud Handbook

The Read Aloud Handbook

Show them books are more than stories. Grab a physical cookbook to prepare dinner together. Use an outdoorsy book to go on an adventure. Identify constellations or types of trees with a book. Read a joke book and share some laughs.

Cover of National Geographic Field Guide to the Trees of North America Cover of National Geographic Field Guide to the Trees of North America

National Geographic Field Guide to the Trees of North America

Cover of ChopChop: The Kid’s Guide to Cooking Real Food With Your Family Cover of ChopChop: The Kid’s Guide to Cooking Real Food With Your Family

ChopChop: The Kid’s Guide to Cooking Real Food With Your Family

Cover of The Jokiest Joking Puns Book Ever Written… Cover of The Jokiest Joking Puns Book Ever Written…

The Jokiest Joking Puns Book Ever Written…

I am excited to incorporate some of these ideas into my own family’s life. Happy Reading!

Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!

Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!

Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.