June 2, 2026 · Bas, co-founder

How to Encourage a Love of Reading in Children Ages 6 to 10

Once your child has learned to read, it is easy to assume the rest will take care of itself. But many parents quickly discover that learning to read and actually enjoying reading are two very different things. So how do you nurture a genuine love of reading in your child, in a way that feels more like play than practice? Here is what has worked in my experience, along with tips from other parents along the way.

Why encouraging a love of reading is worth the effort

Children who enjoy reading almost automatically develop a richer vocabulary, do better in school, and have stronger imaginative skills. But beyond those practical benefits: a child who picks up a book with joy has something truly special. A safe place to dream, to discover, and sometimes to step away from the noise of everyday life.

The key is not how many pages your child reads, but how they feel while reading. A love of reading is the engine. And that engine can be started early, even if your child shows little interest right now.

Let your child choose

This sounds simple, but it might be the single most important thing you can do: let your child decide what to read. Kids would often rather read a comic book or a book about football than something that is good for them. And that is completely fine. Every book your child picks up and finishes is a win.

Go to the library together and let your child wander freely. What catches their eye? What do they pick up without thinking? That is the book with the best chance of being read. You do not have to love it yourself. Giving trust works better than guiding.

The same applies to gifts. A child who receives a book where they are the main character is instantly curious. At Kids Chapters, we create exactly these kinds of books: personalized stories where your child's name and personality are woven throughout the entire narrative. The reactions from children are wonderful every time.

Read yourself, too

Children mirror what they see. If you regularly sit on the couch with a book, you are quietly teaching your child that reading is normal and that adults do it for pleasure. You do not need to say a word about it. The example is enough.

Do not turn reading aloud into a school exercise either. Many parents stop reading aloud once their child can read independently. That is a shame. Keep reading together for a while, even to children who are 7, 8, or 9 years old. It is not about practice. It is about sharing a story together. And that is valuable at any age.

Create a reading nook

A dedicated, inviting spot for reading makes a real difference. It does not have to be expensive: a cushion on the floor, a basket of books, a small reading lamp. When your child has a place that feels like their own, they are more likely to reach for a book there. The environment shapes behavior more than we often realize.

Try removing screens during a quiet moment in the day too, not as a punishment, but just as a calm, open window. Not every child will immediately fill that silence with a book, but you are giving them the space to choose it.

What does not work: reading as an obligation

Forcing reading as a punishment, or tying it to rewards like reading ten pages before watching TV, can work in the short term but undermines the joy. Your child learns that reading is something to get through or earn, rather than something they do for themselves.

Commenting on what your child reads does not help either. Asking whether a book is not a bit easy, or nudging them toward a longer one, might sound encouraging but often lands as criticism. Good enough really is good enough.

The library as a secret weapon

Did you know that most public libraries offer free or very low-cost membership for children? The library is a place to explore without any financial pressure. And if a book turns out to be a disappointment halfway through, your child can just put it back and grab something else. That freedom is incredibly valuable for building a lasting love of reading.

Many libraries also run reading clubs or special events during Children's Book Week. Check what is available near you. Sometimes one good book at exactly the right moment is the difference between a child who reads and a child who loves to read.

Small steps, big impact

Encouraging a love of reading takes patience. Not every child becomes an overnight bookworm, and that is okay. What matters is that your child has positive experiences with books. That they get absorbed in a story and lose track of time at least once.

Want to surprise your child with a book where they are the hero of the story? Visit kidschapters.com. We create personalized children's books where your child is literally the main character. Unique, personal, and made with care.