Olatunde Akanbi
Member
THE PARENT’S ROLE IN BUILDING A CHILD’S READING CULTUREA child who grows up around books is more likely to grow up with curiosity, confidence and a love for learning.
Reading should not be treated as something that happens only when a child enters the classroom. A strong reading culture begins at home. While teachers play an important role in developing literacy, parents have a powerful influence on whether a child sees reading as a punishment, a school obligation or an enjoyable part of everyday life.
1. Make Books Visible at Home
Children are influenced by what they see.
If books are always available in the home, children gradually begin to understand that reading is a normal part of life.
Parents do not necessarily need an expensive library. A small collection of age-appropriate storybooks, magazines, newspapers, comics and educational materials can make a difference.
The message should be:
"Books belong in our home, and reading is something we value."
2. Let Your Child See You Reading
One of the most powerful ways to encourage children to read is to model the behaviour yourself.
When children regularly see parents reading newspapers, books, religious or inspirational materials, professional publications or other appropriate content, they learn that reading is not only for children doing homework.
A parent who says, "Go and read your book" while spending the entire evening on social media may unintentionally send a conflicting message.
Children often copy what they observe more than what they are told.
3. Read to Your Child
Reading aloud should not stop simply because a child has started school.
Parents can read stories with their children, discuss pictures, ask questions and allow the child to predict what might happen next.
For younger children, reading aloud helps develop:
Vocabulary
Listening skills
Pronunciation
Imagination
Comprehension
Attention span
Story awareness
Even older children can benefit from parents occasionally reading with them.
4. Do Not Make Reading a Punishment
One mistake some parents make is using reading as a form of punishment.
For example:
"Because you misbehaved, go and read five chapters."
This can make the child associate books with punishment rather than enjoyment.
Reading should primarily be presented as an opportunity to discover, imagine, learn and explore.
Discipline has its place, but reading should not become the enemy.
5. Allow Children to Choose Some of Their Books
Parents should guide children's reading choices, but they should also give children some freedom.
A child may prefer:
Adventure stories
Animals
Science
Sports
History
Folktales
Comics
Biographies
Fiction
Technology
Allowing children to explore their interests can increase their motivation to read.
The goal is not simply to make the child read your favourite book. The goal is to help the child develop a lasting relationship with reading.
6. Ask Questions About What They Read
Reading without comprehension is not enough.
After your child reads a story, ask questions such as:
"What was the story about?"
"Who was your favourite character?"
"What would you have done differently?"
"What lesson did you learn?"
"What do you think will happen next?"
These questions turn reading into a conversation.
They also help parents identify whether the child is actually understanding what they are reading.
7. Create a Reading Routine
Children benefit from consistency.
Parents could establish a simple routine such as:
20 minutes of reading every evening.
It does not have to be complicated.
For example:
7:00–7:20 p.m. — Family Reading Time
During this period, everyone puts aside unnecessary distractions and reads.
The important thing is not necessarily the number of pages completed.
The objective is to build a habit.
8. Reduce Distractions
Mobile phones, television, video games and social media can compete heavily for a child's attention.
Parents should therefore create periods when digital distractions are reduced.
This does not mean banning technology completely.
Instead, create a healthy balance:
Screen time + reading time + family interaction + play + schoolwork.
A child who is constantly entertained by fast-moving digital content may find sustained reading difficult.
9. Visit Libraries and Bookshops When Possible
Where facilities are available, parents should expose children to libraries and bookshops.
Let children browse.
Let them examine different books.
Let them discover subjects they have never considered before.
A visit to a library can communicate something powerful:
"There is a whole world of knowledge waiting for you."
For families without easy access to physical libraries, digital libraries and legitimate online reading resources can also provide additional opportunities.
10. Do Not Compare Your Child With Another Child
Avoid statements such as:
"Your younger brother can read better than you."
"Look at your classmate; she has already finished three books."
Such comparisons can create embarrassment and anxiety.
Instead, compare the child with their previous level of performance.
Say:
"Last month you struggled with this paragraph. Today you read it much better."
Celebrate progress.
11. Help Struggling Readers Without Shaming Them
Some children genuinely struggle with reading.
They may have difficulties with:
Phonemic awareness
Phonics
Decoding
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension
Pronunciation
Attention
Reading confidence
Calling such a child "lazy" or "dull" will not solve the problem.
Parents should work with the teacher to identify the specific difficulty and provide appropriate support.
A struggling reader needs intervention, not humiliation.
12. Make Reading Connected to Real Life
Reading should not exist only inside textbooks.
Parents can encourage children to read:
Food labels
Road signs
Menus
Newspapers
Recipes
Instructions
Posters
Maps
Short stories
Product information
Age-appropriate online articles
This helps children understand that reading is a life skill, not merely an examination skill.
13. Celebrate Reading Achievements
When a child finishes a book, learns new words or improves their reading fluency, acknowledge the achievement.
You might say:
"I am proud of the progress you are making."
You could even create a simple family reading chart where children record the books they have completed.
The purpose is not to turn reading into unhealthy competition.
It is to make progress visible.
14. Build a Family Culture Around Stories
Parents should not underestimate the power of storytelling.
Tell children stories about:
Family history
Nigerian culture
African history
Important historical figures
Personal experiences
Moral lessons
Community traditions
Then connect those stories to books.
A child who loves listening to stories can gradually become interested in reading stories independently.
15. Work With Teachers
Parents and teachers should not operate as separate teams.
If a teacher reports that a child is struggling with reading, the parent should not immediately become defensive.
Ask:
"What exactly is the child struggling with?"
"What can we practise at home?"
"Which books are appropriate for the child's level?"
"How can we monitor progress?"
When home and school work together, children receive more consistent support.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD AVOIDParents should avoid:
Mocking a child for reading slowly. Comparing children constantly. Forcing books that are far above the child's reading level. Using reading exclusively as punishment. Doing all the reading for the child. Ignoring persistent reading difficulties. Allowing unlimited screen time while demanding that the child read. Focusing only on examination textbooks. Assuming that school alone is responsible for developing reading habits.
THE BIGGER PICTUREA reading culture is not created in one weekend.
It is developed through small, consistent experiences.
A child who hears stories, sees adults reading, has access to books, receives encouragement and is given opportunities to discuss what they read is more likely to develop a positive attitude towards reading.
Parents do not have to be professional teachers to contribute.
They simply need to create an environment where reading is visible, accessible, enjoyable and valued.
Remember:
A school can teach a child how to read, but the home can help determine whether that child learns to love reading.
