Fun Ways to Encourage Kids to Read

My boys have toys, and toys, and more toys, but one of their favorite things has always been sitting down with a big pile of books. That makes me such a proud mom! I really hope that their early passion for books will turn into a life long love of reading, so I’m constantly looking for new ways to encourage them to continue reaching for books!

I know that for some kids, books don’t hold the same appeal, and, for some, they may even be a source of frustration. After talking with friends and looking at what has been working well in our house, I’ve compiled some easy and fun tips to encourage young kids to love books, even before they can actually read the words on the pages! I am grateful to The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) for sponsoring this post. Like me, CRI is dedicated to helping families creating beautiful and safe spaces for living and learning.

PUT BOOKS AT EYE LEVEL

Start by filling kids’ lives with lots of books about the things they love, and keep the books right at eye level so that they will be encouraged to reach for them. In both of the boys’ rooms, we used cubicle bookshelves turned sideways so that no shelf is out of reach {which also makes the space safer if your kid is a climber}.

By keeping the toys tucked inside bins and behind doors, but leaving the bright and beautiful books on display, the books are always the first things the boys reach for. Beckett loves animals, Cooper loves transportation, and both boys love super heroes, so those three themes dominate our bookshelves.

GIVE KIDS SOFT SURFACES