Parenting hacks: 5 ways to get kids into a good reading routine
The start of a new year is the best time to kickstart healthy habits with your family. After the busyness and excesses of the school holidays, January provides a chance to reset and create new, manageable and enjoyable routines.
One often overlooked area is finding consistent times for your child to read during the day.
Rather than relying on their return to school, scheduling regular reading slots at home from the start of the year will pave the way for healthier attitudes towards reading in the longer term.
Here are 5 easy and effective parenting tips to get your kids into good reading routines this January.
Tip 1. Create a fun reading nook
An inviting environment makes all the difference when you want to encourage children to curl up regularly with a good book.
Set up a dedicated reading nook at home with comfy floor cushions, a warm blanket, fairy lights and a beautiful selection of books, comics and magazines displayed within easy reach.
You could position the reading area under an open stairwell, around a window seat, in a bedroom corner or, perhaps, put up a play tent in a quiet zone of a family room.
It’s easy to do, won’t cost the earth and if it’s enticing enough, your child should visit the space frequently, without much prompting from you!
Bonus tip: let your child take the lead in the design of their reading nook. Not only will they have loads of fun personalising it, but taking ownership means they’re more likely to use and enjoy the space frequently.
Tip 2. Set a daily reading time
They say consistency is key when trying to embed new habits, and the same applies to reading.
Find opportunities for your child to read that fit naturally into their daily routine — whether it’s during the car journey to school, after dinner or a few minutes before bedtime.
Encourage your child to see reading time as precious, but cut them some slack if life throws them a curveball! A few minutes of reading every day can make a big difference in cementing reading as a habit.
Bonus tip: short, focused reading sessions are better than pressuring your child to read for longer periods, particularly if they find reading a struggle. You want them to view the activity as a pleasure, not a chore! Start small and build up from there if they are receptive.
Tip 3. Mix books with play
Playtime at home is an important part of most children’s daily routine, so integrating reading into play can be an easy win if your child is agreeable.
For younger children, use picture book stories to inspire role-play games with dress-up costumes or homemade puppets, or set up a library role-play area. Great books to inspire library role-play include Luna Loves Library Day, Lulu Loves Stories and Speak Up!.
Another easy option is to introduce interactive books with flaps, pop-ups, sound buttons, or books that include fun activity pages as these naturally incorporate play elements and encourage hands-on exploration.
For older children, choose-your-own-adventure books and titles based on video games, like the Knights and Bikes series, can be inspiring reads where children either enjoy imaginative play through exploration of other worlds or link reading to their digital gameplay.
By incorporating a range of books within children’s play, you’re helping them to view reading for pleasure as a fun activity.
Bonus tip: never force your child to include books or you in their play; take your lead from them. If they are keen, then go for it!
Tip 4. Be a model reader for your child
Children often mirror their parents’ behaviour, so be open with them about the material you read when opportunities arise.
During the week, let them see you reading for enjoyment or a particular practical purpose.
Whether it’s a novel, magazine, cookbook or even an online blog, showing kids that you, the parent, value time spent reading will help reinforce their positive attitudes towards the activity.
Bonus tip: talk about books with your child. Sharing info about each other’s reads will not only increase your parent-child bonding time but can also ignite children’s interest in new topics and help them view reading as a valuable lifestyle choice.
Tip 5. Try family Sunday reading sessions
It’s well-known that the act of reading has known health benefits for the whole family. With that in mind, quiet Sunday afternoons, once chores are done and lunch is over, can be a great time to introduce reading.
It’s often the one time during the week when there’s not much else going on. Why not turn reading into a whole-family affair where everyone grabs a book, a newspaper or even an iPad and lounges on the sofa together?
Bonus tip: friends and family can also join your reading club if they come over on Sundays. Encourage them to participate in a bit of shared reading or reading aloud with the kids, which will help keep things fresh and exciting.
By using some or all 5 of these parenting hacks, January will no longer be dull. It will be an exciting time filled with reading adventures for you and your child.
A consistent routine doesn’t need to feel overwhelming — small changes in reading habits will add up over time.
And finally…
Once your reading routine is sorted, don’t forget to ensure you have a range of inclusive titles available for your child to read.
Whether they’re doing a 10-minute daily read, a Sunday family session or spending time in their cosy book nook, make sure your child always has a diverse range of books to choose from.
You can check out our expertly reviewed inclusive books for babies right through to children aged 9 by clicking ‘Search books’ and ‘Search booklists’.
All titles are good quality reads, richly diverse in format, topics and representation.
Ready to get started?
Explore the IBC website to find inspiring inclusive books both you and your child will enjoy. Make this new year the beginning of a brand-new reading routine for your whole family.