Rekindling the Love of Reading
6 Tips to Build a Love of Reading in Your Homeschool
It happened so subtly I almost didn’t notice.
I’d always been a book lover. Throughout my life, I have taken great joy in reading books and collecting them. I even built homemade bookshelves in my house to accommodate my collection. For years, I was always reading at least three books simultaneously. Friends and family described me as a “book nerd.” Reading was just part of my identity. I guess that’s why I barely noticed when my reading habits started to wane over time.
As I got older, I read less—and took longer to finish the books I had started, if I finished them at all. I used to spend my spare time sitting on my couch or in my recliner with a book and a pencil for note-taking. Now I was spending more and more time lying on my bed scrolling through my social media feeds, watching Instagram reels, or exchanging memes with friends. I continued collecting books because, in my mind, I was still an “avid reader,” but I hadn’t noticed that I wasn’t reading nearly as much anymore.
A Reader Reads!
I am sure my story is not unique; I’m guessing this is a common experience these days. Maybe you’ve experienced this yourself or recognized it in your children. The addictive nature of digital technology has increasingly consumed our spare time to the point that the average adult in the United States now spends seven hours a day on a screen.
Who knows how long I might have continued on this way had not a simple phrase from my daughter changed my mindset. One day, she looked at my book collection and said, “Dad, why do you have so many books when you don’t read any of them?” Boy, that stung! I got defensive, but as I thought about it, I realized she was right. I barely read anymore.
This got me thinking about ways to rekindle my reading habit. I am pleased to say that I have since returned to my prior good habits and have read more books in the last year than probably in the three years prior combined. And I feel so much better mentally and even physically!
There is a saying in the writing world that “a writer writes”—the fundamental characteristic of a writer is the act of writing itself (rather than external factors like being published, famous, or paid). Similarly, the characteristic of a reader is reading. If I value being an avid reader, I need actually to read!
This means reading should not just be an afterthought; it should be something I prioritize and devote time to. But how can we do this?
Strategies to Reignite the Joy of Reading
Whether it is yourself or your child who has drifted away from reading, there are various strategies you can use in your home to reignite interest in books. Here are some deliberate actions you can take to put reading back at the center of your family:
Creating a Reading-Friendly Environment
Organize the physical environment of your home to make it conducive to reading. This might mean creating a designated cozy “reading nook” with blankets, books, and a comfy chair. You can also ensure access to a variety of interesting books on coffee tables, in bathrooms, and on various shelves so there’s always something to pick up and look at.
Dedicated Reading Times
To prioritize reading, it’s good to have dedicated reading times. For me, it is the hour before I go to bed. For my children, they have a dedicated reading hour after lunch during school. In the summer, they have to read for a certain amount of time before they have screen time. The amount of time they read is tied to how much screen time they get (e.g., if they want to watch TV for half an hour, they have to read for half an hour first). Ensure dedicated reading times are quiet and distraction-free.
Offering Choices and Autonomy
When it comes to children, allow them choices in what they read. Introduce a mix of genres and formats (e.g., graphic novels, chapter books, even audiobooks). Encourage exploration of diverse topics and interests. Encountering new knowledge on a fascinating subject is a sure way to rekindle the joy of reading.
Making Reading a Social Activity
Reading doesn’t need to be an individualized experience; it can be a social one. I actually think social reading is an integral part of building lifelong love of reading. You can begin at home with family read-aloud sessions or audiobooks in the car. Book clubs and homeschool reading groups are another great strategy. Discuss what you are reading with your children, ask them about their reading, and share recommendations. The other day, my son called me on the phone to talk about the reading from the Roman author Suetonius I had assigned to him. I was so thrilled!
Integrate Reading into Daily Life
You can also use everyday activities to promote reading, making reading together a part of your daily routine. For example, have your child read instructions and recipes. Or have them read the daily Mass readings or morning prayers. Connect books to real-life experiences and interests.
Addressing Reading Difficulties
Sometimes a fall-off in reading can be due to unidentified reading difficulties. It’s crucial to identify reading challenges in children and get them the support they need. This might mean using multi-sensory reading approaches or seeking help from reading specialists if necessary. This also means understanding our own adult reading difficulties. It has been estimated, for example, that 90% of adults with dyslexia have not been diagnosed. If we seem to be cognitively struggling with the act of reading as adults, we should consider whether we may be dealing with an undiagnosed cognitive condition that impairs our ability to engage with text.
A More Connected Life
The journey back to reading after a season of distraction is a quiet restoration, a reclaiming of time and mind from the relentless pull of screens. It takes deliberateness and dedication. It’s not just about opening a book; it’s about rediscovering the curiosity and the solace of reading. By weaving reading into the fabric of our daily lives—through cozy nooks, family read-alouds, or simply choosing a book over a screen—we can reignite that spark in ourselves and our children. A reader reads, not as a chore, but as an act of joy, a deliberate step toward a richer, more connected life.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Join me and other homeschooling parents in the Homeschool Connections Facebook Group or in the HSC Community to continue the conversation.
