How to encourage reading for pleasure: 5 top tips
Top tips from our Schools Team on how to inspire the joy of reading in your reader or your own child.
Tip 1: Offer a variety of books
‘Offering children a large variety of books to choose from, and encouraging them to choose books that interest them, is key to furthering enjoyment of reading.’ (Ofsted, 2004)
Think about the genres, themes, and diversity of the books you’re offering as a selection.
Reluctant readers could be more engaged with non-fiction or graphic novels for example. Once a child develops an enjoyment of reading, whatever the text is, they will be more likely to want to continue reading.
It’s important to remember that reading isn’t just about books. Simply reading the menu at a restaurant, a road sign while in the car, or an instant message will play a key part in making reading a regular part of a child’s life.
Tip 2: Create a reading area
Creating a reading area in your home or school is a great way to encourage reading for pleasure. This area will help children develop an excitement for reading as they associate this special time with the activity.
Consider how you arrange the books in this area, whether it’s a corner in your home or classroom or your school library. Make sure to choose certain books to be front facing, with lots of choice of genres and topics to pick from.
You could also create labels to highlight which books are recommended by other teachers or your school librarian.
Tip 3: Encourage ‘book chat’
Encouraging book chat can be challenging in a class of pupils with different interests. We recommend relating the conversation to a child’s individual experience or other books they have been reading.
The Open University have fantastic resources available, including a book chat guide and poster.
Tip 4: Schedule time for independent reading
Independent reading time can help a child develop their own sense of reading for pleasure. In a busy school day, this time can allow them to have autonomy over their book choice and will give them a feeling of independence.
For children with low confidence in their reading, independent reading could be less intimidating without having to read out loud.
Tip 5: Encourage reading at home
Reading is everywhere, it doesn’t have to be a regimented activity of sitting down with a physical book.
Audio books are a fantastic way to encourage reading for pleasure. Check out Britannica’s 5‑Minute Really True Stories for Bedtime narrated by none other than Joanna Lumley to get started.
Graphic novels and picture books are an accessible way for parents to engage with their children at home, as the child can take ownership of the story time. This might be especially helpful for children who speak English as an additional language or who read reluctantly.
