Strong reading skills can set the foundation for a successful life. A child who’s a confident reader will find it much easier to succeed at school — and there’s no telling what that might lead to when they’re adults. There’s a strong correlation between academic success and how much a person earns, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that children who become skilled readers early on will find it easier to get a well-paying job when they’re older.

Wanting your child to be a strong reader and them achieving it are two different things. It’s actually more difficult than ever, with multiple studies finding that the amount of time children spend looking at devices has resulted in much less time being spent reading. 

While some children may not have a natural affinity for reading, they might happily engage with the activity if they’re encouraged to do so. Here are some of the best strategies to help your children fall in love with reading. And the best part? None of them are that difficult.

Be a Reader

Children are much more likely to read if their parents are readers. If you’re looking for an easy way to gently encourage your child to read, then make a habit of reading a little each day. Children mostly learn behavior by observing what their parents. Pick up a book, and you’ll be setting a good example to your child.

Make Books Available

Even children who want to read are unlikely to go too far out of their way to make it happen. It’ll be much more likely that they spend their time reading if they can easily access books. Filling your home’s shelves with books is an excellent way to encourage your little ones to read. Just remember to have books that are suitable for their reading levels. There are decodable readers kindergarten pupils will love, fantasy books that 7-9-year-olds will enjoy, and science fiction books that are suitable for children who are a little older. It’s also worthwhile having a few books that are suitable for advanced readers, just in case they get curious and want to try reading at that level. 

Create an Inviting Space

Kids, like adults, love cozy spaces, and they’ll be much more likely to spend time with a book in their hands if they have a nice and relaxing space in which to read. It works better than their bedroom (where they may fall asleep) and the living room (where they might look longingly at the television). Once you’ve got your space, you can make it even more likely that they’ll spend time reading by incorporating a few tech-free hours into your daily schedule. Those hours, which have the added benefit of giving the whole family a break from screens, can be spent reading, doing homework, or other wellness/self-improvement activities.