In a world where screens compete for every spare moment, encouraging our children to read can feel like a constant battle. Yet, reading remains one of the most powerful tools for improving academic success, and lifelong learning. The good news? With the right strategies, you can help your child discover an interest (perhaps even joy!) in reading—even in our digital-first age. More and more schools are reaching out, wanting to know how we can get more books into kids’ hands — and I love seeing this growing commitment to literacy.
1. Build their Motivation & Self Concept (this is important!)
Does reading seem rewarding? Exciting? Interesting? It’s fairly obvious that if you have a better attitude to reading (e.g. you find it enjoyable) then you will read more often, your comprehension improves and you add to your background knowledge. The opposite would also be true – if reading is a struggle, this leads to a negative attitude and avoidance, and a child falls further behind their peers.
TIP: For really reluctant readers aim for one session a day, make it brief – no more than 10 minutes. To help keep your child’s attitude upbeat, try to pick a time to practice when they’re least likely to be tired or hungry. A little frustration is normal but don’t give up. Ask, “Great effort, but do you think that we’re done?”
Source: mandarincompanion.com/blog/the-vicious-cycle-of-the-poor-reader
“Reading self-concept is both built by and a contributor to positive reading attitudes and the act of reading.”
(Daniel Willingham, 2015)
This is where reading self-concept can be more important than reading attitudes. If being a reader is part of a child’s self-concept, it will occur to them to include it more frequently. For e.g. “What will I do on that 2 hour car trip? I’ll bring my ipad/phone and listen to music. Oh, I should grab a book too.” Thus, the more you read, the more “reader” becomes cemented as part of a learner’s self-concept.
You might say, “But isn’t this just pressuring a child to read? I think that I should just back off.” Beware, this is not the solution. You don’t want your child to opt out, even if reading does not come easily. Your son/daughter will have talents/skills that come easily to them (e.g. a certain sport, public speaking, confidence to catch the bus on their own) but they will have things that challenge them. It’s normal that some things come easier to others. Try saying, “Yes I can see that this is difficult for you. But I’m impressed at how hard you’re working at it.”
2. Model Reading Daily
This is my strongest advice to parents – especially dads and male carers of boys. When boys see parents reading for enjoyment—whether it’s novels, newspapers, magazines—they learn that reading is a valuable and enjoyable part of life. Bonus points for NOT reading on your phone – actual paper copies communicate that you’re reading. Really not a reader? That’s ok – even letting your kids know that you’re listening to a book is a positive. Share with them what you’re reading. Let your children ‘catch’ you reading!
3. Connect Reading to their Interests
Link books and articles to hobbies that your child already loves. If they are into soccer, grab a biography of their favorite player. If they are fascinated by animals, find adventure stories set in the wild. Relevance makes reading irresistible. We’ve had teachers share with us that completing the topic The Bermuda Triangle in our program, encouraged an interest in the mysterious, which prompted a visit to the school library to borrow books.
4. Keep it Short and Consistent
Encourage small, regular reading bursts instead of long sessions. Even 10–15 minutes a day can build fluency and confidence without feeling like a chore.
5. Leverage What’s Popular
Leaners are far more motivated to read when the material connects to their current passions—whether that’s sport, gaming, animals, science, or even funny memes. Instead of pushing books you think they should read, lean into what they want to read. Graphic novels, sports biographies, game guides, and adventure series can all serve as powerful stepping stones into literacy. Once they discover that reading can fuel their interests, they’re far more likely to build confidence, stamina, and enjoyment—and eventually branch out into a wider range of texts.
It’s why our program contains texts around: PS vs X-box, Fast Fashion, Pros and Cons of Sports drinks, Weird Animals, Science experiments – we’ve designed short texts to hook kids’ interests and build their reading stamina.
You don’t need to be a superhero to help your child to enjoy reading
In the digital age, reading doesn’t have to compete with technology—it can exist alongside it. By offering choice, making it relevant, and creating a reading-friendly environment at home, routines (even 10 minutes a day) and valuing reading as a self-concept to ensure that your child is reading widely and consistently in this digital age.
I’m on a personal mission to make 2026 the ‘Year of Reading’ it’s a goal worth striving for and it starts with us.
