5 Steps To Make Reading Fun For Everyone

As much as we want to encourage a love for reading, it often falls on us to actually do the reading to our little ones especially if they aren’t able to read yet, are new to reading, or it’s a part of the routine to read together. And, let’s be real, the last thing we want to do is read a kid’s book after a long, hard day. On the flip side, sometimes it’s our kids who resist reading. The last thing they want to do is stop what they’re playing to read a “boring” book. So sometimes it makes total sense to pass on reading that day. But then there are days when no one really wants to read but you know that you must and you will. For those days, here are some tips to make it more enjoyable for everyone involved:

1. Start Small

If your little one is not used to reading or hasn’t shown too much interest, don’t pressure them. Just keep giving them opportunities for exposure. For example, my toddler likes to see how fast she can flip the pages. Over and over and over again.

• Introduce a subject matter of interest. Does your kid like planes? Do they like dogs? Try an age-appropriate book with something of interest to them.

• Make it playful. Maybe they really like shapes right now, why not ask them to identify various shapes in any book you have. If they’re learning how to count, ask them to count the number of trees they see, the number of people, etc.

• Go interactive. Try pop-up books with cloth features, flaps, etc. It’s always fun to see what the next page holds!

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2. Get into character

• Bring out the voice actor in you. When I was younger, I attended an artsy summer camp and we could choose the classes we wanted to be enrolled in. I chose to join a class that taught “public reading.” Dating myself, it was essentially a voice acting class before the likes of audio books and podcasts were popular. So when I read to my baby, I will take a deep breath, reach deep down for my public reading training, and pull out random voices for the different characters in the book.

  

• Change your narration voice. Sometimes we don’t have the energy to put on voice theater for every character in a story. When that happens, I like to read in a random accent. My kid spends at least the first few minutes looking at me like I’m crazy before leaning into it and I get to walk away practicing an accent in a (somewhat) safe space.

• Get everyone involved. If you have a more proficient reader, have them read with / to you! Maybe all the people involved in the reading session can play different characters. Make it interactive and fun.

3. Discuss as you read

Enjoy the story for what it is but you can also use critical moments in the story to have a conversation with your child. As you read together, encourage your kid to question what’s happening—it’ll help them become a critical thinker which is vital as an adult! Some questions you can ask:

• Why do you think [character] behaved this way?

• What would you kid do if they were in [character’s] shoes?

4. Share your story

Describe your own experiences and childhood memories as it relates to the story. It can be a very bonding experience and remind your child that you have a whole bunch of stories living in you!

5. Make the story sticky

To help a story live on, bring it up over the next few days. Make a joke or share with them how a moment reminded you of a specific story, character, etc. Encourage them to do the same! Show them how a story can resonate and connect with their own life.

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What do you think—have you tried any of these strategies? Are there other ones that have worked for you?