How to Foster a Love for Reading in Your Kindergartener

May 31, 2023 byAlyssa Austin

4 min to read

Learning Coach reading with two kindergarteners

Reading is fundamental for your child’s learning, so it will only help to instill a love for reading as early as possible.

Here are some everyday ways to make reading with your child a positive ritual for your family and to foster a lifelong love for reading in your kindergartener.

What are the Benefits of Reading for Kids?

According to All4Kids.org, some of the top benefits of reading for kids include:

Cultivating better language and communication skills
Building empathy and supporting emotional development
Improved concentration and memory
Increased imagination and creativity
Supporting cognitive development
Preparation for success in school

5 Ways to Instill a Love of Reading in Your Kindergartener

If you’re looking for some actionable ways to help instill a love of reading in your young student, check out these five tips.

1. Start a habit of “Storytime”

One of the best ways to introduce reading to your kindergartener is through the age-old ritual of Storytime. Curling up on the couch on a rainy day or spending time together before bed every night reading a book to your child not only creates a special bonding moment that both you and your child can look forward to, but it also establishes that reading is fun and something to look forward to.

2. Create book-related rituals in the home

Even when you are not reading with your child, you can create an atmosphere that encourages and promotes reading as a positive activity. For example, lay out “book baskets” stocked with a variety of age-appropriate books next to a comfy chair, your child’s bed, or other places that they like to spend their down time. Dedicate a space in their bedroom, the living room or playroom as a “story corner,” decorated with some of their favorite book characters. These sacred, little spaces can help create a positive association around the ritual of reading.

3. Watch movies and shows based on books

Though it may seem counterintuitive to suggest watching movies or TV shows to build a love of reading in your kindergartener, these two mediums can work together to produce positive results. For example, if there’s a certain story that you and your child have been reading together during Storytime, you could watch an adapted version of that story together, when you finish reading. This provides a fun way for your child to see these characters, places, and images come to life. This can also support with building reading comprehension in future reading sessions.

4. Take a trip to the library together

Reading doesn’t have to exist only in the home. Introduce your child to your local public library and encourage them to explore the children’s section to pick out books that interest them or catch their eye. A trip to the library as a family can have a number of positive outcomes.

5. Create a reading challenge

Kids love games, so what better way to help foster a love of reading than by incentivizing them to read more through the help of a reading challenge? You can create a challenge based on reading a certain number of books, or maybe even a variation of reading bingo, all with the goal of encouraging your child to read more (or read with you more) to win a prize. Bonus points if the prize is also reading related!

Looking for more ways to help your child develop a love and appreciation for reading? Check out our article, How to Help Reluctant Readers Discover a Love of Reading.