How to encourage your children to fall in love with reading
Statistics show kids are less likely to open a book these days. What can we do to stop the decline in reading for pleasure?
When I was a child, my mother would save up her pounds to buy me the latest Jacqueline Wilson or Harry Potter book. I remember spending my school holidays at the local library, devouring stories and developing a love of reading that would last my whole life.
Before my son was even the size of a pear, I had already composed a wish list of children’s books I planned on getting him once he was born. All the classics: Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea; David McKee’s Elmer; Allan and Janet Ahlberg’s Peepo!; Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
During some of my darkest days of postnatal depression, the only thing I could manage to do for Ammar was to read to him. We began a daily reading habit and my love of books has now passed on to him.
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The very first word of the Qur’an revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was iqra, or read, highlighting just how important reading is in our faith. Still, many have fallen out of love with it. Earlier this year, the National Literacy Trust found that the number of children reading for pleasure in Britain is the lowest it has ever been, with only one in five reading daily.
Parents are reading less, too. According to publisher Harper Collins UK, fewer than half of gen Z parents enjoy reading to their children. The education secretary Bridget Phillipson has since called on parents to read more, reminding them that reading for pleasure boosts children’s writing and cognitive skills, and their confidence and wellbeing.
If you are struggling to get your children interested in reading, these tips from a lifelong reader may help.
Start with books based on interests
To encourage that initial passion for stories, begin with books based on your child’s favourite TV characters or interests. If a book about Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol will get them excited about reading, that’s no bad thing.
Get interactive
Sensory books are a great starting point for babies and toddlers, with touchy-feely elements such as felt and ribbed paper. Not only will they store those words away as their speech develops, but the use of touch encourages their sense of exploration. Usborne’s That’s Not My book series is a popular choice.
Similarly, if your child needs steering away from screens, books with flaps, pull-out pages or sound buttons encourage them to actively participate in the story. The Very Hungry Caterpillar or Mick InkPen’s The Blue Balloon are great examples.
For older children, try books that use clues or questions. This form of interactive reading will keep them engaged throughout the story.
Develop a daily reading routine
Bring books into your daily routine to build consistent reading habits. Read younger children a story at bedtime. For older kids, turn off the TV and put screens away earlier in the evening and instead encourage them to spend time reading in bed.
Consider creating a reading corner. This could be a children’s tipi or a cosy space with a bean bag, fairy lights and a basket where they can store their books.
Make it fun
You may need to combine additional activities to get your child to pick up a book, such as painting and using colouring sheets. If your child enjoys writing, you could get them a reading journal.
Alternatively, try gamifying reading. Set challenges — if they read a set number of books each week or month, a prize could be going to see a new movie at the cinema or a trip to the arcades.
Go digital
A Kindle Kids or other reading tablet could be their next Eid present, so they can choose their own e-books. For younger children, you could invest in a Tonies audio player which will keep them off the screens and engage their listening skills. There are hundreds of stories to choose from and they come in the form of toy figurines that attach to the device.
If using a screen is really the only way you can get them excited about reading, watch CBeebies Bedtime Stories on BBC iPlayer or a read-aloud video on YouTube. You may find that once they have watched a video, they ask for a physical copy of the book.
