Get Your Children to Read More!

Hey everyone! Let me tell you something exciting—watching a child discover the joy of reading is absolutely magical! And here's the beautiful truth: every single child can become a strong, confident reader when we give them the right tools and opportunities. Today, I'm sharing six incredible strategies that really work. These aren't complicated theories or things that require fancy materials. These are practical, doable approaches that you can start using right away to help your child fall in love with reading. Ready? Let's dive in!

1

Create a Reading Environment

Think about it—when we want to cook, we go to the kitchen. When we want to exercise, we find space to move. Reading works the same way! Children need a space that says "this is where the magic of reading happens." And no, it doesn't have to be perfect or Pinterest-worthy. What matters is creating a cozy corner that invites your child to pick up a book and get lost in a story.

Set up a little reading nook with cushions, good lighting, and books within arm's reach. Keep those books at eye level where kids can see them and grab them easily. Rotate what's available so there's always something fresh to discover. The key is making reading feel like a treat, not a chore. When the environment whispers "come read with me," children naturally respond!

Quick Win:

Let your child help design their reading space. When they pick the pillows or arrange their favorite books, they take ownership of that space and want to use it more!

2

Create an Independent Reading Time

Here's something powerful: consistency builds habits, and habits create readers! When we carve out specific time just for reading, it becomes part of the daily rhythm. Just like brushing teeth or eating dinner, reading becomes something we just do. Start with whatever works for your schedule—maybe it's 15 minutes before bed, 20 minutes after school, or even just 10 minutes in the morning. The amount of time matters less than the consistency.

During this time, everything else stops. No screens, no distractions, just books. And this is independent reading time, which means your child chooses what they want to read. Comics? Magazines? Chapter books? All good! Choice is everything. When children pick their own books, they're invested. They're excited. They read more pages and stick with it longer because it's their choice.

Pro Tip:

Model this behavior! When it's reading time, you read too. Children are watching us constantly, and when they see us reading, it sends a powerful message that reading is valuable and enjoyable.

3

Become a Reading Coach for Your Child

Now, let's talk about something that can truly transform your child's reading journey—becoming their reading coach! Notice I said coach, not teacher. There's a difference. A coach sits beside you, cheers you on, helps you strategize, and celebrates your wins. That's exactly the role we're stepping into here.

When your child reads to you, listen actively. If they stumble on a word, don't immediately jump in with the answer. Give them a moment to try different strategies. Ask questions like "What would make sense there?" or "Look at the picture—what clues do you see?" Help them think like a reader. And when they figure it out? Celebrate! "You did it! You used the picture to help you—that's what good readers do!"

Talk about the story together. Ask what they think will happen next. Discuss their favorite characters. Wonder aloud about the author's choices. These conversations build comprehension skills while making reading interactive and fun. You're not testing—you're exploring the story together!

Remember:

Focus on the positives! For every correction, give three compliments. "I love how you read that with expression!" "You didn't even slow down on that tricky word!" Building confidence is just as important as building skill.

4

Give Your Child Reading Responsibilities

Want to know a secret? Children rise to the occasion when we show them we trust their abilities! Giving your child reading responsibilities makes them feel capable and important. It transforms reading from something they "have to do" into something they "get to do."

What does this look like in real life? Put them in charge of reading the recipe while you cook together. Let them read the shopping list at the store. Have them read the instructions when you're building something or playing a new game. Ask them to read the directions when you're going somewhere new. These are real, meaningful tasks that show reading has purpose beyond just school assignments.

You can also make them the "official" story reader for a younger sibling or even a pet! Yes, reading to pets is absolutely wonderful practice. The point is giving them opportunities where reading matters and where their reading helps the family or accomplishes something real. This builds both skill and confidence in the most natural way possible.

Try This:

Create a "jobs chart" where one of the daily jobs is a reading responsibility. Rotate what they read for so it stays fresh and interesting!

5

Have Your Child Read in Front of an Audience

Okay, I know what some of you might be thinking—"My child is shy! They won't want to perform!" But hear me out. The audience doesn't have to be a room full of people. It can be grandparents on a video call, a favorite stuffed animal, the family at dinner, or even just you giving them your full, undivided attention. The magic is in the performance aspect itself.

When children know they'll be reading for someone, something shifts. They practice more. They pay attention to how they sound. They start thinking about expression and pacing. Reading becomes an event, not just an activity. It's exciting! Plus, the praise and positive feedback they receive from their audience builds their confidence sky-high.

Start small if needed. Maybe they read one page to a grandparent over the phone. Or they perform a poem they've been working on for the family after dinner. As their confidence grows, so can the audience. The goal isn't to create pressure—it's to create purpose and pride in their reading.

Make It Special:

Create "performance nights" where your child gets to show off what they've been practicing. Add some popcorn and applause, and watch how motivated they become!

6

Have Your Child Read the Same Story Every Day Until It's Mastered

Now this one might surprise you because it goes against what we often think—that we should always be reading something new. But repetition is incredibly powerful! When children read the same story or chapter multiple times, something beautiful happens. The first time through, they're decoding words and figuring things out. The second time, they're reading more smoothly. By the third and fourth time, they're reading with confidence, expression, and real understanding. They've mastered it!

This repeated reading builds fluency, which is the bridge between being able to sound out words and actually comprehending what you're reading. When kids aren't struggling with every word, they can focus on meaning, on enjoying the story, on really reading. Plus, there's something incredibly satisfying for a child about being able to read something perfectly. It feels good. It builds belief in their own abilities.

Let them choose the story or chapter—that buy-in is important. Then commit to reading it together every day for a week. You'll be amazed at the transformation from day one to day seven. They'll be amazed too! And that confidence carries over into everything else they read.

Bonus Idea:

Record your child reading the same passage on day one and again on day seven. Let them hear the difference. Nothing builds motivation like hearing your own progress!

Here's what I want you to remember: building strong readers isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about creating opportunities, staying consistent, and celebrating progress—no matter how small. Every single one of these strategies works because they make reading feel natural, purposeful, and enjoyable. They meet children where they are and help them grow from there.

You don't have to implement all six strategies at once! Pick one or two that resonate with you and your child's needs. Try them out. Adjust them to fit your family's style. The beautiful thing about reading is that there are so many pathways to success. What matters most is that we're walking alongside our children, supporting them, encouraging them, and showing them that reading opens up entire worlds of possibility.

So let's do this! Let's create homes where books are treasured, where reading time is protected, and where children know they have everything they need to become the confident, joyful readers they're meant to be. You've got this, and so do they!

Keep shining and keep reading,

Ms. Sharita