How to Raise a Reader in the Digital Age

Does your child struggle to enjoy reading? Reading matters in all aspects of our lives: it builds vocabulary, critical thinking skills, and creativity. But what happens when a child fails to take an interest in reading, or worse, says that they hate reading?

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As the digital environment increasingly favors bite-sized posts and shortform video content, students of all ages are struggling to maintain focus for long periods of time. Reading takes time, and it doesn’t provide the instant gratification of social media. Reading also takes on a high cognitive load, meaning that the brain devotes a lot of focus to it, making it hard to multitask. In an era where students are inundated with stimulation from multiple screens, asking for their undivided attention can be a hard sell. 

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Learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD can exacerbate reading challenges; students may feel unmotivated to start reading, or to keep reading, when their own brain seems to be discouraging them from paying attention. For these students, it’s vital to find a form of reading that they enjoy, even if that form is nontraditional, to instill that love of reading.

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So, how do we encourage children to read?

5 Strategies for You:

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1. Set up screen-free reading times for the whole family. Model the behavior you want to see: put phones on “Do Not Disturb,” or turn them off completely, and dedicate your time solely to reading. This goes for smartwatches too! Screen-free reading sessions can be daily, weekly, or anything in between. We recommend starting small with just 10-15 minutes on a day of the week when everyone has some free time. Once a routine is set, increase it gradually over time.
2. Start a family book club. Read what your child reads and ask them questions about it. Reading for fun is often a solitary activity, and beyond just having something to talk about, reading the books your child enjoys can make reading more interactive and gratifying. See below for a list of sample questions for a family book club!
3. Build a home environment where books are easily available. You don’t need a huge home library to spark interest; put books, magazines, and newspapers in places where your child will see them, whether that’s a bookshelf or the kitchen table. Encourage them to pick up a book instead of turning on the TV. Or, as we’ll see below, you can also encourage them to read shorter pieces, like magazine articles.
4. Use books as rewards. Reward your child with trips to the library, or bookstore, and let them pick out their own books. If they don’t have one already, get them a library card. They can also check out digital library books, magazines, and audiobooks for free with Libby!
5. Encourage reading behavior that happens organically. Magazines, audiobooks, and fan fiction are all forms of reading!

4 Strategies for Them:

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1. If your child likes visuals or note-taking, encourage them to annotate. For books that they own, allow them to highlight or jot down notes in pen. For library books, use post-it notes or index cards.
2. Use other forms of media. If your child enjoys listening to podcasts or music, encourage them to listen to audiobooks. It does count as reading—if you pay attention! Audiobooks can also be a motivator for children (and adults!) who struggle with chores. Magazines and newspapers are also forms of reading, and their shortform nature may appeal to children who want to slowly grow their attention spans.
3. For the digitally inclined, try an eReader. These devices offer a convenient way to focus on reading without the distractions of social media. Their interfaces are customizable and accessible, with options for dark mode, increased font size, and dyslexic-friendly fonts.
4. Change it up! Not everyone reads the same way. Some readers can sink into a book for hours at a time, while others need to take frequent breaks; some read in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee, others like to walk on the treadmill. And sometimes all of those readers are the same person! If reading has grown stale for your child, have them change up their reading routine. Read in a different place, at a different time of day, or with different people.

Family Book Club Sample Questions

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1. What are you enjoying most about the book so far? Do you have a favorite moment or character?
2. Which characters do you relate to most, and where do you think their journey will go?
3. Where does the story take place? Would you like to live there?
4. What would you add to the story? Is there anything you would take out? Why or why not?
5. Did you learn anything new from this book?

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Here are some more reading discussion questions from Book Riot!

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There are plenty of ways to encourage your child to read. By creating a book-friendly home and consistent reading habits, you can encourage them to take charge of their own reading journey and build love for books.