Encouraging Your Child to Read Independently

Reading to your child is a great bonding activity, not to mention a nice way to soothe them to sleep. However, your child will eventually need to make the leap into becoming an independent reader. Here are some tips for encouraging your child to start reading -- or read more often -- on their own. 

Give Your Child Books Tailored to Their Interests

Your kid will be more interested in reading if they have books about things they like or if you give them personalized children's books where they're the hero. No matter what your child is into, there are likely age-appropriate books available featuring that topic.

Ask Them to Read Aloud to You

When your child isn't quite at the point where they can read entirely on their own, ask them to read aloud to you. Help them work through unfamiliar words and demonstrate active listening so that they feel encouraged to keep going. Reading aloud together can be especially fun with a personalized children's book; they can read their parts while you handle the other characters.

Be a Reading Role Model

One of the best ways to help your child become an independent reader is to make sure they see you reading on your own often. Kids naturally want to imitate their parents, so being a role model reader is one of the simplest and most effective ways to inspire them.