A love of reading rarely begins with a perfect reading level or a shelf full of award-winning books. It begins with positive moments: a funny voice, a cosy cuddle, a story that feels made just for your child. Here are five practical ways to nurture that connection at home.
1. Let your child choose
Children are more invested when they have ownership. Offer a small selection and let them pick—even if they choose the same book for the tenth time, a comic, or a fact book about sharks. Re-reading builds fluency and confidence, while interest keeps attention alive. The “right” book is often simply the one your child wants to open.
2. Make reading a ritual, not a task
Attach reading to a calm, predictable moment: after a bath, with an afternoon snack or before lights out. Ten enjoyable minutes every day is more powerful than an hour forced at the weekend. Put phones aside, settle somewhere comfortable and protect this time from correction or quizzing.
3. Read with expression
Bring the story to life. Change your voice for characters, pause before a surprise and react to illustrations. Your child learns that punctuation carries meaning and that fluent reading has rhythm. If they want to join in, take turns by page or character. Shared reading lets them enjoy stories beyond their independent reading level.
4. Talk about the story naturally
Instead of testing with “What happened?”, wonder aloud: “I think she looks worried—what do you notice?” Connect events to your child’s experiences and invite predictions. There is no need to ask a question on every page. One genuine conversation builds more comprehension than a list of right-or-wrong answers.
5. Let them see you read
Children copy what they see. Read a recipe, newspaper, novel or message and mention why it matters to you. Keep books visible and visit the library together. When reading is part of everyday family life—not only homework—children begin to see it as useful, comforting and fun.
Remember: connection comes before correction.
Celebrate curiosity, effort and time spent with books. Skills grow more readily when reading feels safe.
If reading remains very effortful or your child regularly avoids it, an informal literacy assessment can help identify what support would make the biggest difference.