Reading for pleasure is not an essential life skill, but reading is and doing so with enjoyment can benefit children in countless ways.
Reading for pleasure not only helps children to expand their vocabulary and improvs their language skills, but it also supports the development of creativity and imagination. As parents, it is crucial to create a home environment that encourages children to read for pleasure and make it a lifelong habit. Learning to read is important, but loving to read is too.
Here are a few tips on how to create a home environment that embodies this approach.
1. Make Reading Accessible
One of the most important things you can do to encourage your child to read for pleasure is to make reading accessible. Keep books in different areas of the house, such as the living room, bedroom and kitchen. This will make it easy for your child to pick up a book whenever they feel like it. You can also consider creating a cosy reading nook in your home, complete with comfortable seating, pillows and soft lighting. I dream of having a house with a huge bay window that I can transform into a space like that.
2. Lead by Example
Children learn by example, and if they see you reading for pleasure, they are more likely to develop a love of reading themselves. Make sure to set aside time in your day to read and encourage your child to do the same. You can even combine this with quality time by reading together and discussing the books you are reading. I’m as guilty as the next parent of being too preoccupied with other things to take time out for reading and also me-time, but leading by example in this respect is much healthier.
3. Celebrate Reading
Celebrate reading in your home by making it a fun and enjoyable activity. You can create reading challenges, such as reading a certain number of books in a month, reading books from different genres or reading the alphabet (author surname or book title). You can also have a family book club where everyone reads the same book and discusses it together. Make reading a positive and enjoyable experience, and your child will be more likely to continue reading for pleasure.
4. Use Technology
In today’s digital age, technology can be a useful tool for promoting reading for pleasure. You can use e-readers or audiobooks to make reading more accessible and engaging for your child. Both of my daughters have Kindles and while we love actual books, including the smell of them, these make reading more accessible when travelling and being away from home for more than a day (they read quickly!) There are also many reading apps and websites that provide interactive reading experiences, such as virtual libraries, storytelling apps and interactive e-books.
5. Make Reading a Part of Your Daily Routine
Make reading for pleasure a part of your daily routine, just like any other activity. Set aside a specific time each day for reading, whether it’s before bedtime or during a quiet time in the afternoon. Incorporating reading into your daily routine will make it a natural and enjoyable habit for your child.
6. Have Fun with Reading
Reading for pleasure shouldn’t be a chore, so make sure to have fun with it. Encourage your child to act out scenes from their favourite books or create their own stories. You can also make up silly jokes or puns related to the books you are reading together. For example, “Why did the book go to the doctor? Because it had a bad case of the fluency!”
7. Vary Your Reading Materials
If you forever share the exact same range of books, your child will not realise the extent of reading materials there are available in our ever-expanding world. Try to mix books around, keeping favourites in there still, to ensure that your child does not become bored with what is on offer. Just sticking to stories, even within the same genre, is not good practice. Include children’s newspapers, magazines, audiobooks, annuals… even funny shopping lists you have written. The possibilities are endless, as is the enjoyment to be gained from truly reading for pleasure.
Try not to worry if your child doesn’t want to engage with reading for pleasure immediately. You may just need to change your approach a little, but do persevere. With these tips, your child will be on their way to becoming a lifelong reader.
