6 Ways to Engage Your Child with Reading (Without Bribing Them with Ice Cream)

6 Ways to Engage Your Child with Reading (Without Bribing Them with Ice Cream)

Reading is one of those magical habits we wish our kids would fall in love with — right after broccoli and brushing their teeth without a reminder. But let’s be real: between screen time, after-school activities, and “just one more episode,” getting them to sit down with a book can feel like herding cats.

The good news? You don’t have to be a professional storyteller or own a library’s worth of books. Here are six science-backed, fun (and realistic) ways to get your child genuinely excited about reading.

 

1. Let Them Pick What They Read

 

Even if it’s a comic about a farting potato or a book that makes no grammatical sense — if they’re reading, they’re winning.

📚 Why it works: According to a Scholastic study, 91% of kids aged 6–17 say their favorite books are the ones they pick out themselves.¹ Giving children control over their choices increases intrinsic motivation — they read because they want to, not because they have to.

👉 Try this: At the bookstore, let them roam. You can always steer them gently if they’re trying to “read” the Fortnite user manual.

 

 

2. Read Aloud — Even to Big Kids

 

Reading aloud isn’t just for toddlers in footie pajamas. Older kids love it too (even if they pretend they’re too cool for it).

👩👧 Why it works: A 2018 survey by Scholastic found that 83% of children aged 6–14 who were read to said they loved or liked it a lot, even if their parents thought otherwise.² Reading aloud boosts vocabulary, comprehension, and emotional connection — especially when done regularly.

👉 Try this: Add voices, sound effects, and gasp-worthy pauses. Stop mid-sentence and watch them beg you to continue.

 

 

3. Make It Personal

 

What’s better than a book? A book where they’re the hero. Their name in the story? Their favorite animal on the cover? It’s next-level magic.

🎁 Why it works: Studies show that personalised books can enhance attention, emotional connection, and memory retention in early readers.³ Neuroscience tells us that hearing one’s own name activates the brain’s self-representation system — they literally become more engaged.

👉 Try this: Order a personalised storybook (like ours at Cherish Tales 👋) and watch the grin spread across their face when they spot their name on page one.

 

 

4. Build a Cozy, No-Pressure Reading Zone

 

Reading under a bright ceiling light on a plastic chair doesn’t scream “cosy afternoon.” Kids are more likely to enjoy books when it feels like an experience, not a school assignment.

🪄 Why it works: Studies in educational psychology show that a warm, inviting reading environment encourages independent reading habits and decreases reading anxiety.⁴ Think beanbags over backless stools.

👉 Try this: Designate a corner in their room or the living room. Add cushions, fairy lights, and a mini bookshelf that’s easy to reach.

 

 

5. Turn It into a Game (Yes, Really)

 

Reading can be silly, competitive, or even adventurous — if you game-ify it.

🎲 Why it works: Gamification, used in educational tech and classroom settings, has been shown to increase engagement and motivation in young learners.⁵ It taps into the reward center of the brain, making reading feel like fun, not work.

👉 Try this: Create a reading bingo board. Or hide clues in books around the house for a “reading treasure hunt.” Yes, chocolate rewards are totally allowed.

 

 

6. Be the Reading Role Model

 

Monkey see, monkey do — even if the monkey is scrolling TikTok and saying “I hate books.” Kids mimic what they observe, not what we preach.

📖 Why it works: A landmark study by the OECD found that children whose parents read for pleasure score significantly higher in reading assessments, regardless of socio-economic background.⁶ You reading = them reading (eventually).

👉 Try this: Make “silent reading time” a family thing. No phones, just pages turning (or e-readers — we’re not monsters).

 

 

Final Word: It’s About Joy, Not Just Literacy

 

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to raise a spelling bee champ. It’s about creating a positive emotional connection to books — one that sparks curiosity, imagination, and confidence.

And hey, if ice cream still ends up in the mix… we won’t judge.

 


📚 References

 

  1. Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™, 7th Edition (2019): Source

  2. Ibid.

  3. Biemiller, A., & Slonim, N. (2001). Estimating root word vocabulary growth in normative and advantaged populations: Evidence for a common sequence of vocabulary acquisition. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(3), 498.

  4. Klem, A. M., & Connell, J. P. (2004). Relationships Matter: Linking Teacher Support to Student Engagement and Achievement. Journal of School Health, 74(7), 262–273.

  5. Hamari, J., Koivisto, J., & Sarsa, H. (2014). Does Gamification Work? A Literature Review of Empirical Studies on Gamification. Proceedings of the 47th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

  6. OECD (2010). PISA 2009 Results: Learning to Learn – Student Engagement, Strategies and Practices (Volume III). Source

 

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