6 Ways to Raise a Kid Who Loves Reading

Start reading aloud to your children every day, even before they can talk. Their little brains are busy soaking in all those words! If a toddler wants to read the same book over and over, that’s perfectly fine.

Make reading a habit. Read aloud with your kids at least 15 minutes per day. If you’re short on time, try having older siblings read to younger children, or listen to audiobooks on the go.

Keep books in your home and in the car. Make a regular trip to the library part of your family routine, like going to the grocery store. When your child is old enough to get a library card of their own, make a big deal of it!

They tend to read more when they get to choose their books. Steer them toward “just right” books—not too easy, not too hard. For help choosing books or finding others your child might enjoy, ask a teacher or librarian.

Read for yourself and talk about the books you’re reading. Ask questions about what older children are reading on their own. Who are the characters? What’s happening in the story?

Reading together should be a fun, treasured activity that gives you time with your kids. Pick great stories you can get lost in. If it feels like work, something’s wrong – try a different book or a different time. If your kids enjoy reading, they’ll read more. And the more they read, the more they’ll love it.