5 Simple Ways to Foster Your Child’s Love for Reading

Inside: Looking for simple and fun ways to foster your child’s love for reading? Here’s a toolbox packed with 5 things you can do every day, plus free 4-week access to a science-backed learning resource.

Several weeks ago, my husband and I received a compliment that nearly brought me to tears.

“I can tell you read a lot to Owen. He has a wonderful vocabulary and expanse of knowledge.”

Owen had just completed 3 hours of IQ and academic testing from a renowned neuropsychologist we hired to help us understand why our 8-year-old still wasn’t able to read.

It blew my mind that he could clearly see how hard we’ve been working to foster our child’s love for reading, despite his struggles in school.

5 Simple Ways to Foster Your Child’s Love for Reading

Today I’m partnering with Reading Eggs to share 5 simple ways parents can foster their child’s love for reading. Although my son has learning disabilities which make reading extra hard, he still loves books!

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1. Read Aloud for 20 Minutes Every Day

“Do the voices, Mommy!”

Cuddled together in a warm blanket, I opened the book we had already read hundreds of times, an abridged version of Swiss Family Robinson. Swept into the story, Owen imagined the horror of the storm, the relief upon finding his family safe, and the adventure of starting a new life on a deserted island.

Reading aloud to a child boasts many positive benefits; it builds memory, aids brain development, models fluency, increases vocabulary, and exercises attention while fostering curiosity and a genuine love for books.

To reap the most benefits from read-aloud time, educators encourage parents to read to their child for at least 20 minutes per day. My husband and I enjoy sharing this responsibility, as a recent study from Harvard University has shown that kids develop stronger language skills when dad reads.

Tip: Listening to audiobooks in the car is a great way to sneak in extra read-aloud time!

2. Make the Library Your Second Home

Our local library is a treasure trove of books, games, and toys for kids to borrow and enjoy. On our weekly library trip, my kids are greeted by name, then welcomed into the inviting children’s space.

Through free community programs, story time, summer reading programs, and monthly reading challenges, libraries help develop a love of reading, foster literacy, build resiliency, and improve school performance.

Our library has a knack for introducing kids to new books by hosting monthly Reading BINGO challenges. The BINGO squares present creative reading challenges to kids such as, “Read a book about a bear who gets into mischief.”

My kids love to participate!

3. Login to Reading Eggs

Reading Eggs is an award-winning early learning resource that supports learning to read with engaging online games, books, and activities that are backed by science. Vibrant animation, lively music, and virtual rewards keep kids hooked, motivated, and on-task.

After taking a placement exam, kids are given a custom dashboard to access their individualized, self-paced lessons which they can enjoy on a tablet or computer.

We were first introduced to Reading Eggs by my son’s online school. Despite enjoying a fiery love for books and learning, Owen’s dyslexia makes reading a challenge.

Using Reading Eggs is a fun and relaxing way for Owen to build phonemic awareness and phonics skills. Learn more about how Reading Eggs can help dyslexic kids here.

But Reading Eggs isn’t just an amazing tool for struggling readers or those who are challenged with a learning disability; it’s an amazing tool for all children ages 2–13.

After using Reading Eggs, over 91% of parents report a noticeable difference in their child’s reading skills within weeks.

Sign up for your family’s free 4-week trial of Reading Eggs here.

4. Let Your Child Get the Mail

Do you get as excited as me when you discover a letter, package, or new magazine in the mail? Kids love receiving mail just as much as adults, and reading mail is a creative way to support literacy and grow a love of reading.

Subscribe your child to a magazine that feeds their interests, or arrange for a beloved grandparent to send letters and cards. There are even monthly book subscription boxes specifically designed for kids!

Highlights For ChildrenHighlights High FiveRanger Rick Jr.ZoobooksLadybugAmerican GirlSports Illustrated KidsBoys’ LifeHumpty Dumpty MagazineJack & JillScooby-Doo! MagazineStar Wars Magazine

5. Make Books Your Child’s Greatest Resource

Though my son struggles with a developmental speech disorder and dyslexia, he is also blessed with giftedness. He is extremely intelligent, curious, and asks thoughtful questions. When Owen asks a question, sometimes I’m tempted to pick up my phone and relay it to Google. But instead, I reply, “Great question! Let’s write that one down.”

All of my son’s incredible questions go into a notebook, then are tucked away in my purse, ready for our next library visit. At the library, we choose books that will answer his questions, probably in greater detail than a quick internet search would’ve done.

Books are a trusted, permanent, and tangible source of knowledge that I want my kids to turn to. As Dr. Suess said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Your Turn

What are your best tips for fostering a love of reading in kids? I would love to hear them in the comments.