Raising Readers: How to Build Strong Reading Habits in Children

As the weather cools and we find ourselves curling up indoors under cozy blankets, it’s the perfect time to build strong reading habits with your child. But how do you choose the right books?

This guide shares simple, research-backed ways to help you foster a love of reading at home — from creating an inviting book-filled space to letting your child pick what they love. Whether you're building a home library or encouraging a reluctant reader, it all starts with making books both accessible and joyful.

1. Fill Your Home with Books

I encourage you to move beyond the #BookTok-inspired “aesthetic shelfie” (though I do love a good color-coded moment). A robust home library correlates with academic success; indeed, a study that spanned 42 countries showed that “a key aspect of scholarly culture, the number of books in the family home, exerts a strong influence on academic performance.” Incredibly, “Regardless of how many books the family already has, each addition to the home library helps children do better.”

So — stock your shelves with as many titles as you can get your hands on.

Building a collection doesn’t have to break the bank. I rely on the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood and local used bookstores to furnish my classroom. And of course, never underestimate the power of your public library. As a child, I loved the freedom to choose whatever I wanted there — a privilege not extended at the grocery store or mall. My own library card, with my shaky signature making it official, made me feel incredibly grown-up.

2. Offer Choice

Parents wonder which books they should select. More than anything, give your child choice. (Also grab books that you like, too, since you are frequently the one reading.)

Too often, adults fall into a kind of literary snobbery, preferring “classics” like Tuck Everlasting and dismissing graphic novels or series like Captain Underpants. But here’s the truth:

If children love what they’re reading, they’ll read more. That’s the goal.

3. Read Favorites Over and Over Again

When your child finds a favorite book, read it again. And again. And again. Yes, this can feel repetitive (and even mind-numbing) for adults, but re-reading brings enormous benefits.

Children often memorize their favorite books and recite them. While it’s not technically “reading,” it shows deep familiarity with print concepts and builds reading confidence. Repetition also helps with vocabulary retention — hearing new words multiple times increases the likelihood they’ll be remembered and used.

Once children begin reading independently, revisiting a familiar book boosts fluency and speed. To borrow the wise words of Mem Fox:

“The ideal three stories a day are one favorite, one familiar, and one new — but the same book three times is also fine.”

4. Find Favorite Authors

To add in a little variety while maintaining the interest, seek out books by authors your child already adores.

Even as an adult, I feel that familiar spark of anticipation when a favorite author releases something new — and the inevitable disappointment when I’ve read everything they’ve written. Help your child experience that same excitement by following their favorite authors and discovering their full catalogs.

To Summarize:

Children don’t need perfectly curated shelves or award-winning titles to develop a love of reading. What they do need is access, choice, repetition, and joy.

The goal is to create an environment where books are plentiful, reading is enjoyable, and children feel empowered to explore stories on their own terms. Whether you’re building your first home library, trying to encourage reluctant readers, or simply hoping to make storytime more meaningful, this guide offers practical, research-backed strategies to help you choose great books — and build lifelong readers.