Choice plays a huge role in helping children develop a genuine love of reading.
Young readers are far more likely to engage with books when they feel they have ownership over what they read. Whether it’s fantasy adventures, football annuals, joke books, manga, graphic novels, comics or short non-fiction, every type of reading has value. The goal is to encourage regular reading, not to limit it to a particular format or genre.
When the focus shifts from what children should read to what they want to read, enthusiasm often follows naturally. Allowing children to explore their own interests helps build confidence, motivation and positive reading habits that can last a lifetime.
Reading aloud can also be reimagined. It doesn’t have to be reserved for younger children or limited to bedtime. Sharing a chapter over breakfast, listening to an audiobook while cooking dinner, or taking turns reading the dialogue in a favourite story can transform reading into a shared family experience.
These everyday moments create positive associations with books and show children that stories are something to enjoy together. Audiobooks and story podcasts also deserve a place in family reading routines. They make it easy to enjoy stories during car journeys, while tidying up, or as part of an evening wind-down.
For some children, listening to stories provides an accessible route into reading, particularly if they find decoding text challenging. Audiobooks still develop vocabulary, comprehension, imagination and a love of storytelling, simply through a different medium.
Creating a reading-friendly home doesn’t require a perfect routine. A cosy reading corner, comfortable seating, good lighting and easy access to books can all help make reading feel inviting rather than like another task to complete. Just as important is modelling reading for pleasure. When children see adults reading novels, newspapers, magazines, recipes or instructions as part of everyday life, they begin to understand that reading is a valuable and enjoyable lifelong habit.
Above all, the aim isn’t to force a love of books but to create opportunities for it to grow naturally. When reading feels relaxed, varied and woven into everyday family life, children are much more likely to return to it willingly. Over time, those small, consistent moments build confidence, curiosity and a lasting relationship with reading that extends far beyond a scheduled reading session.
Q & A
Why is giving children choice important for reading?
Choice helps children feel a sense of ownership over what they read, which makes them more likely to engage with books. Every type of reading has value, and the goal is to encourage regular reading rather than limiting it to a specific format or genre.
How can reading aloud fit into everyday family life besides bedtime?
Reading aloud can be part of breakfast, cooking dinner, or taking turns reading dialogue in a favourite story. Sharing a chapter at different times makes reading a shared family experience and helps children see reading as something enjoyable to do together.
What role do audiobooks and story podcasts play in a family reading routine?
Audiobooks and story podcasts deserve a place in family routines because they make it easy to enjoy stories during car journeys, while tidying up, or as part of an evening wind-down, while still developing vocabulary, comprehension and imagination.
How can we create a reading-friendly home for our children?
Create a cosy reading corner with comfortable seating, good lighting and easy access to books. Model reading for pleasure by showing that reading is a valuable and enjoyable lifelong habit, whether it’s novels, magazines, recipes or instructions.
How can we encourage a love of reading without pressuring children?
The aim is to create opportunities for reading to grow naturally by keeping it relaxed, varied and woven into everyday family life. Small, consistent moments build confidence, curiosity and a lasting relationship with reading.
