How to Spark a Love of Reading in Your Child from an Early Age

Reading Isn't Just a Skill — It's a Lifelong Gift

If you're a parent raising a child between the ages of 6 and 12, you've likely encountered days when homework feels like a battle, and reading? A chore. Maybe your child sees books as something school-related — partnered only with stress or obligation. Deep down, you want more for them. You want reading to feel joyful, effortless, and even magical.

But how do you give a child the desire to read when life is already overwhelming — for them and for you?

Make Reading an Experience, Not an Assignment

Children don't fall in love with reading because they're told to. They fall in love with stories. The emotional connection comes first. Characters they care about, worlds that sweep them away, and quiet moments where imagination takes center stage — those are the ingredients that nurture a reader's heart.

To help your child connect with stories, shift the focus away from "you should read this" to "let's discover this together." Cozy up with a book before bed, not because it’s educational, but because it’s your thing — a daily pause, a shared adventure. This kind of ritual helps kids associate books with safety and closeness. In fact, creating calming rituals with story time can be an incredibly effective way to build that bond.

Follow Their Curiosity — Not Your Plan

Sometimes, we fall into the trap of steering our kids toward what we think they should be reading: classics, award-winners, age-level appropriate material. But kids are more likely to engage with books that match their current fascination — whether it's mythical creatures, outer space, or silly graphic novels.

Let them choose. Let them re-read dog-eared favorite books over and over. When they find a voice or character they connect with, even in unconventional formats, acknowledge that spark. That freedom cultivates agency, and where there's agency, motivation isn't far behind.

Graphic novels, joke books, magazines — they all count. The goal isn't to raise a literary expert. It's to nurture a lifelong relationship with stories and language on your child's terms.

Struggling Readers Deserve Joy Too

If your child faces learning difficulties or school-related stress around reading, it's easy for both of you to feel discouraged. But know this: your child's challenges with reading do not mean they can’t love stories. In fact, separating the joy of stories from the mechanics of reading can relieve pressure and renew connection.

This is exactly where audiobooks can make a meaningful difference. Listening to immersive stories can build vocabulary, support comprehension, and develop critical thinking — all without forcing a child to decode every word on a page. And beyond the academic benefits, listening simply allows your child to relax and be transported.

For example, the LISN Kids app offers original audiobooks and series designed specifically for kids ages 3 to 12. Whether you're on the school run or winding down at night, just opening LISN Kids on iOS or Android gives your child easy access to an imaginative world of stories.

It’s a small but powerful way to nourish a reader’s spirit — regardless of reading level.

Let Books Be Tools for Connection and Comfort

Reading together doesn't always have to serve an educational goal. In fact, using stories to open up tricky conversations or support emotional transitions can normalize feelings and promote resilience. For instance, stories about friendships, embarrassment, or big changes at school help your child not feel so alone in what they’re going through.

Choosing the right story at the right time can make a world of difference. If your family is navigating tricky times — a new school, a tough teacher, or anxiety about an upcoming event — you might find help in this guide on selecting the right audiobook for life events.

Build a Home Where Stories Live

A house full of books doesn’t need a fancy library — only access and intention. Make books visible and reachable. Keep them in baskets in the living room, on nightstands, even in the car. Rotate them often to spark new interest. Add audiobooks to your routine during meals, long drives, or lazy weekends.

You can even bring more dimension to storytelling by using audiobooks to ease transitions at home — a strategy explored more in this article about helpful transitions through audio stories.

Ultimately, making reading part of your family's emotional landscape — not its academic checklist — sends a powerful message to your child: storytelling belongs to all of us, every day, in ways that are comforting, creative, and personal.

From Reluctant Readers to Imaginative Thinkers

Every child starts in a different place — some curl up with books instinctively, others avoid them entirely. But they’re all capable of becoming curious, critical thinkers who understand the value of storytelling.

Expose your child to a variety of voices and narrative styles. Audiobooks like those found on LISN Kids are designed to develop these exact skills. Learn more in this resource on how listening builds critical thinking in school-aged children.

The road to a love of reading is rarely linear. It’s made of many small moments — a giggle during a bedtime chapter, an audiobook that becomes their favorite obsession, a story that reflects their world just when they need it most. Keep showing up for those moments. That’s what raises a reader.