9 Practical Tips for Reading to Your Kids

Is reading to your kids a struggle for you? These 9 tips will help make your read-alouds a more successful, positive experience for all of you!

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I may do a lot of things wrong as a mom, but there’s one thing I do well — I read to my kids a LOT. Every single day. But I never used to think it was that big of a deal, as far as “mom skills” go.

I look at activity moms and think they’re the real superheroes. Or moms who take their kids on regular outings. Or moms who have a knack for turning everyday life events into spiritual lessons. And don’t even get me started on all you homeschooling moms! Wow.

Next to those gifts, reading to my kids feels pretty ordinary. In fact, for a long time, it never even occurred to me that it was a gift. I mean, all I’m doing is reading to my kids. It’s as natural to me as feeding them. I couldn’t not read to them if I tried!

Reading to Aidan & Andrew — Reading to my three children (one is in utero)

That’s the thing about gifts, though, isn’t it? They always feel ordinary and common to us. “Doesn’t everyone do that?” we think.

But I’m finding that reading to kids actually doesn’t come naturally to every mother. Some moms, in fact, struggle with it quite a bit.

And so, if that’s you, I want to help.

Reading to your kids may never be your favorite thing to do, and that’s okay. But I hope with these 9 tips (and a little time), reading to your kids can become a valued and enjoyable part of your parenting.

9 TIPS FOR READING TO YOUR KIDS

Is reading to your kids a struggle for you? These 9 tips will help make your read-alouds a more successful, positive experience for all of you!

Let them choose

This is tip #1, and I cannot stress it enough — let them help pick out the books! Their reading will be dictated enough in later years at school. In order for reading at home to be a fun and pleasurable experience, you MUST let them have a say in the books you read.

I’m not saying you can’t ever pick out books for them — I do it all the time! But if they don’t like a certain book, set it aside. You can always try again later.

I’m also not saying you can’t steer them in (or away from) a certain direction. I have a few guidelines for the books my kids pick out, staying away from certain subject matters, themes, or content that goes against our family values.

But as much as possible, I try to include them in our book selection.
Don’t worry about reading levels, ages, Lexile scores, “classics”, etc.

I completely understand the purpose of reading levels, Lexile scores, and similar metrics. They have their place in developing kids’ reading abilities.

But that place is not family read-alouds. Don’t worry about all that, and just read what you/they love!

In a similar vein, I’m all about exposing kids to quality writing and expanding their repertoire of “classics”. Certainly introduce plenty of these to your kids. But don’t force it. If they’re not into a certain book, let it go for now. Reading with you at home should be a positive experience.
When in doubt, try it out!

On the other hand, don’t be afraid to try books you think might be beyond them. Kids can follow a lot more than we think when given the chance. I have, on several occasions, been pleasantly surprised by my kids’ attention span, interest, and ability to comprehend. Don’t underestimate them!

Related Post: Favorite Chapter Books to Read Aloud to Preschoolers
Follow their lead

I’ve been reading to my kids since birth, so they’re pretty used to long read-aloud sessions. But if this is new to you and your kids, start small. Invite and encourage them to read with you, but don’t force it. Do not make it a chore or a compulsion. And stop when their interest, attention, and/or ability to sit runs out.
Go beyond the words

As you read to your kids, engage them as much as possible. If it’s a picture book, point out (and encourage them to point out) different things you notice. Talk about the story and ask questions — not in a testing kind of way (PLEASE don’t quiz them!), but conversationally: “How do you think he’s feeling?” “Why do you think she did that?” “If you were them, what would you have done differently?”

And get them involved in the reading — whether that’s by actually reading, by reciting parts they’ve memorized (because if you’re like us, you have books you’ve probably read 100 times), or by “reading” the pictures and guessing what comes next.
Get into it

Channel your inner actor and get into it! Make sound effects, vary your tone, and try some accents! Even if you’re not typically a demonstrative person, try your best to bring the story to life. You might feel silly at first, but trust me, the more you get into it, the more your kids will want to hear.
Ditch your expectations

Go into your read-alouds with an open mind and without expectations. It doesn’t have to look like some idyllic Instagram-worthy picture. Whether it’s an hour or 5 minutes, whether you’re reading Oliver Twist or Hop on Pop, and whether your kids are sitting quietly in your lap or playing with toys (or even running around the room!), it counts. It ALL counts.
Incorporate it into your routine

If you’re struggling to find the time or remember to read to your kids, build it into your routine. Do it first thing in the morning while they eat breakfast, while they’re eating lunch, right after dinner before you clean up, or right before bed. Choose a time when you’re consistently with your kids, and just do it, even if it’s only 5 minutes.
Examine your attitude

Last but not least, examine your own attitude towards read-alouds. Do you approach them cheerfully or grudgingly? Do you encourage your kids to read with you, or do you try to avoid it?

Your kids will pick up on how you feel about reading to them, and eventually, they’ll start to adopt those attitudes, too. Plus, everything is better with a good attitude!

Remember: Raising readers starts with you!

BONUS: If reading is just really not your thing, or there’s a day you’re completely spent, play an audiobook for your kids, instead! They’ll get all the benefits of being read to, and if you snuggle up and listen together, they’ll get the bonding experience, as well.

I hope those tips help make reading to your kids a more enjoyable experience for all of you.

For more about the impact of read-alouds (spoiler alert: it’s significant!) and how to go about doing them, I HIGHLY recommend the books The Read-Aloud Family and The Read-Aloud Handbook. Both are full of eye-opening information AND tips for practical application.