Most parents want their children to enjoy books, yet reading often turns into a nightly argument once homework, activities and screens compete for attention. The good news is that a reading habit is built from small, repeatable moments rather than big efforts. This guide explains how to encourage kids to read in the primary years, how to support reading in both English and Arabic, and what to do when your child says they simply do not like books.
Why Reading Habits Matter in the Primary Years
Reading is the base for almost everything a child does at school. Maths word problems, science questions and history topics all depend on understanding what is written. Children who read for pleasure meet more words, see more sentence patterns and learn how stories and arguments are built, which makes every subject easier.
The primary years are the best time to build the habit. Younger children are curious and still see reading as something shared with a parent. By the middle of primary school, many children have decided whether reading is fun or a chore, and that view is much harder to change later. Starting early, and keeping it light, protects their confidence.
How to Encourage Kids to Read at Home
Make Reading a Daily Routine
Choose a fixed, short slot that fits your family: ten to fifteen minutes after dinner, or in bed before lights out. A small daily habit works better than a long weekly session. Bedtime is a natural choice, and it also helps children wind down, which supports the sleep routines covered in our guide on how much sleep a child needs.
Let Your Child Choose the Book
Choice is the single biggest motivator. Let your child pick books about animals, football, space, jokes or comics. A graphic novel or a magazine still counts as reading, and it builds the stamina that longer books need later. If a child abandons a book halfway, treat it as normal and move on rather than insisting they finish.
Keep Reading Aloud, Even When They Can Read Alone
Many families stop reading aloud once a child can decode words. That is a missed chance. Listening to a story lets children enjoy books that are more advanced than they can read independently, and it keeps reading a warm, shared moment. Take turns: you read a page, then they read a page. Use different voices and stop at an exciting point to make them want more.
Build a Book Friendly Home
Children copy what they see. When they watch you read a book, a newspaper or a recipe, reading looks normal and useful. Keep books at their eye level in the living room, the car and the bedroom, and visit the library together so a new stack is always waiting. A basket of favourites near the sofa often gets used more than a tidy shelf in the study.
Reading in English and Arabic
For families in the UAE, reading usually happens in two languages, and that is a strength. Children who read in Arabic and English build flexible language skills, but they need regular exposure to both. Make sure Arabic is not limited to school lessons: share Arabic stories at home, listen to audiobooks, and let grandparents or relatives read with your child. Our overview of Arabic and Islamic Studies in British curriculum schools shows how schools combine both languages in daily learning.
If English is not your child’s first language, be patient with the early stages. Pair picture books with simple words, repeat favourite stories and talk about the pictures before reading the text. Confidence grows quickly when children feel safe making mistakes. Schools that offer structured language help can make a real difference, as explained in our guide to EAL support in schools.
Matching Books to Your Child’s Stage
A book that is too hard creates frustration, and a book that is too easy gets boring. Use these stages as a rough guide, and remember that every child moves at their own pace.
- Ages 3 to 5: picture books, rhymes, songs and stories with repeated phrases. Focus on sharing, pointing at pictures and asking what might happen next.
- Ages 5 to 7: short early readers, phonics books and simple chapter books. Children are learning to decode, so celebrate effort and let them re read favourites.
- Ages 7 to 9: longer chapter books, series, humour and non fiction about favourite topics. Series work well because familiar characters make the next book easier to start.
- Ages 9 to 11: richer stories, adventure, mystery and biographies. Encourage them to talk about what they read and recommend books to friends.
Your child’s teacher can tell you their current reading level and suggest the next step. In a British primary school in Sharjah, reading is taught step by step through phonics in the early years, then broadened with comprehension and discussion as children grow.
What to Do When Your Child Says “I Don’t Like Reading”
This sentence is common, and it usually means one of three things: the books are too hard, the topics are boring, or reading feels like a test. Try these ideas:
- Check reading level first. Ask your child to read a page aloud, and if they stumble on more than a few words, choose an easier book.
- Follow their interests. A child who loves football will read about football long before they read a classic novel.
- Remove the pressure. Avoid quizzing them after every page, and talk about the story like a friend would.
- Try audiobooks alongside printed copies. Listening builds vocabulary and story sense while confidence catches up.
- Talk to the school if reading feels hard for a long time. Persistent difficulty with letters, sounds or tracking text may need extra support.
Reading and Screens
Screens are part of modern childhood, so aim for balance rather than a ban. Set clear times for devices, and keep the reading slot screen free so books are not competing with games. E books and reading apps can help children who enjoy technology, but a physical book at bedtime is usually calmer.
It also helps to link screens to books: after a film, find the original story; after a game, look for a book about the same world. Used this way, screens can open the door to reading instead of closing it, and they become a useful part of how to encourage kids to read rather than a rival to it.
How Schools Support a Love of Reading
Home and school work best together. Good primary schools teach reading explicitly, run regular library time, invite authors and host reading events, and send home books that match each child’s level. Reading is also linked to homework routines, and our guide on how to help your child with homework shows how to keep both calm and consistent.
If you are choosing a school and want to see how reading is encouraged in the classroom, ask about phonics teaching, library access and how teachers track progress. Seeing a lesson in action tells you more than any brochure, so book a school tour and watch how children respond to books.
Quick Checklist: How to Encourage Kids to Read
- Read together for ten to fifteen minutes every day.
- Let your child choose most of their books.
- Keep reading aloud, even for older children.
- Share stories in both English and Arabic.
- Keep the reading slot free of screens.
- Praise effort and enjoyment, not speed or levels.
FAQs
How long should a child read each day?
Ten to fifteen minutes is a good target for younger primary children, rising to twenty or thirty minutes for older ones. Regular short sessions are better than occasional long ones.
Is it too late to start if my child is already seven or eight?
No. Children can develop a reading habit at any age. Start with books on topics they love, keep sessions short and make reading feel like a treat rather than homework.
Do comics and graphic novels count as reading?
Yes. They build vocabulary, visual understanding and story sense, and they often lead children to longer books when they are ready.
Should I correct my child every time they make a mistake?
Not always. If the meaning is lost, gently help them with the word. Otherwise let them keep going, because fluency and confidence matter more than perfection.
Can my child learn to read in Arabic and English at the same time?
Yes. Many children in the UAE do this successfully. Give both languages regular, relaxed practice at home and talk to the school if you have concerns about either one.