Three Ways to Make Reading Magical for Children
As a school librarian, one of my favorite things is to watch young readers discover the magic of books. When reading, their eyes light up with curiosity, and their imaginations come to life. As a parent, you play the most important role in nurturing this sense of wonder into a lifelong love of reading.
Parents often ask me, “How can I make reading more fun for my child?” The good news is you don’t need to be an expert, just a willing partner in their adventures.
Here are three simple ways you can read with your child and help them fall in love with stories:
1. Let Curiosity Lead the Way
Young children are naturally curious about the world around them, so it’s important to nurture their sense of adventure by engaging them in the experience. Don’t just read to them, read with them. Try pointing out pictures, naming objects, and connecting words to images to keep their minds active and learning. Encourage them to ask questions, and focus on making reading time interactive.
If your child gets excited about a story featuring a dinosaur as the main character, embrace that enthusiasm. Ask them what they know about dinosaurs and what they want to learn. Help them choose another dinosaur book so they can dig deeper on their own. By supporting their interests and encouraging their questions, you make learning feel fun and meaningful. You’ll turn reading into an adventure they’ll look forward to.
Don’t pressure your child to read something they don’t enjoy. There’s no one “right” topic or genre at this age, only what captures their imagination and interest. Whether it’s fairy tales, space, or mysteries, allow your child to explore the library shelves and make their own selections.
2. Build a Reading Ritual
Children thrive on routine, and creating a special routine for reading each day with your child can turn it into a joyful tradition rather than a chore. Pick consistent times, like right before bedtime or quiet weekend afternoons, to make reading an exciting part of the day.
There’s no need to feel pressured to finish an entire book in one sitting; you can always pick it back up later. Children absorb more information when the reading experience is calm, allowing them to linger on each page at their own pace. Give children space to ask questions and even retell the story in their own words. Taking your time helps them process the story and stay connected to the book. Read enthusiastically; use fun voices for the characters, make up melodies for repeated phrases, and add hand motions. You might feel a little silly at first, but your child will love hearing their book come to life.
Allow your child to see you reading for pleasure. Many parents leave their own reading for after their children are in bed. Make reading a part of your family culture by setting aside time when everyone reads their own books. Young children especially want to mimic what their parents model for them; if reading is what is modeled as fun and engaging, children will want to read more.
Every story, no matter how short or simple, builds your child’s reading comprehension skills while sparking curiosity and imagination. When reading is a part of a loving routine, it becomes about connection and enjoyment, not just learning.
3. Make Books Part of Daily Life
The easiest way to encourage reading is to give your child access to lots of books. Take trips to the library together. If your child doesn’t have a library card, getting one together can be a fun milestone, giving your child a sense of ownership over their reading choices. The Memphis Public Libraries have a variety of story times and other engaging programs for children to build excitement around reading. Bookstores are another great place to visit with your children; Novel has a wonderful Saturday morning story time, and often, authors visit the store. Visit the many Little Free Libraries in the Memphis area; your child can exchange books they may have outgrown with new books.
Explore audiobooks, eBooks, or other digital options to discover new stories anytime and anywhere. Your child’s school might also have access to a collection of eBooks. Keeping a few books in the car is another easy way to sneak in extra reading moments, whether waiting at a restaurant or on a road trip. By reading aloud from these books, you’re not just sharing stories but also modeling a love for reading that will stay with them for years.
Catherine Smith Denman is the Director of Libraries at St. Mary’s Episcopal School, a school for girls ages 2 through 12th grade. She has 14 years of experience helping nurture young children into lifelong readers. Mrs. Denman’s favorite children’s picture books include Love Monster and the Last Chocolate by Rachel Bright, Bloom by Doreen Cronin, Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett, Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly by Alan Madison, and Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. This fall, Mrs. Denman is thrilled to welcome students into Liza’s Library, a new library at St. Mary’s named in memory of former teacher Eliza Wellford Fletcher.
