Encouraging a Love for Reading at Home
Helping Children Fall in Love with Stories (Not Just School Books)
Some children can’t wait to dive into a book. Others… not so much.
And that’s okay; loving reading is something that can be encouraged, built, and nurtured over time.
At Maidstone Learning Centre, we believe reading should be joyful, imaginative, and personal not just something ticked off a school list.
Here’s how you can help your child grow into a reader (even if they’re a little reluctant right now).
Why Reading Matters So Much
Children who read regularly for pleasure tend to:
Develop a stronger vocabulary
Improve comprehension and writing
Gain empathy and creativity
Perform better in subjects across the board
Learn to self-soothe, focus, and explore big ideas
In short: readers become thinkers, learners, and dreamers.
Why Some Kids Avoid Reading
It’s not laziness, it’s often one (or more) of these:
• They’ve never found the right book
• Reading feels like work, not fun
• They feel “behind” or self-conscious
• Screens have replaced stories
The fix? Make reading feel safe, personal, and pressure-free.
Easy Ways to Build a Reading Routine
Let your child choose books (even comics or audiobooks!)
Read aloud together; even for older kids
Set up a cosy reading corner with pillows or fairy lights
Make it part of the wind-down routine not a chore
Model it. Let your child see you read, too
Visit the library or bookshop together and make it a treat
The goal isn’t to finish books, it’s to enjoy them.
What We Do at MLC
At MLC, we:
Recommend high-interest, age-appropriate books
Use story-based tasks to build comprehension
Include creative reading discussions in lessons
Celebrate reading efforts not just levels
Encourage students to write about what they’ve read (or invent their own stories!)
We make reading feel exciting, not intimidating.
Book Ideas to Get Started
• Younger Readers: The Worst Witch, Rabbit and Bear, Claude, Isadora Moon
• Older Readers: Tom Gates, Planet Omar, The Wild Robot, Kid Normal, Wonder
• Reluctant Readers: Dog Man, Captain Underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, audiobooks from BorrowBox or Audible
Final Thought: Reading Is a Relationship
You don’t need to raise a bookworm overnight. Just start where they are.
A few pages here, a funny story there, a quiet moment before bed; it all counts.
And with time, your child won’t just tolerate reading. They’ll start to love it.