The 'secret' habit that turns children into lifelong readers

By Marian Gyamfi

Have you been struggling to nurture a love for reading in your children? Do you know that there is a secret habit that can make them fall in love with books? This habit is a secret because many people do not know about it. Some might have heard about it but have not taken it into serious consideration. 

There is no need to worry, if you are a parent or an educator this secret is easy to apply and completely free. Before I tell you exactly what the secret is, let me give you a little clue.

Children learn more from their observations than from what they are told. But here's a secret most parents don't know: if your child saw you reading for pleasure, everything would change. Consider how they might react if you laughed at a funny sentence, sighed at a joyful ending or asked yourself a question while reading.

The secret habit exposed

According to Social Learning Theory, proposed by Albert Bandura, people can learn new behaviours, skills and attitudes by watching and imitating others, who serve as models. It is from this theory that the secret habit: Modeling joyful reading is obtained. 

Modeling joyful reading is an act of making reading a natural part of your everyday life. By not making it feel like it’s mandatory but just letting it flow in your family’s daily routine. When children see that reading fits easily into ordinary moments, they learn that reading can be done everywhere. 

When your child sees you genuinely and consistently reading, they become curious and would like to  do same. According to research on the Home Literacy Environment, families who model love for books inspire enthusiastic, joyful readers. 

Also, according to United Through Reading, modeling reading accomplishes four things: it instills a love for learning, boosts language skills, ignites curiosity and imagination and strengthens bonds and creates memories. 

Practical ways to model joyful reading

Visit libraries, bookstores, or reading spaces like Booksie

Reading comes alive when children see it happening beyond home or school walls. Explore your local library or reading centres like Booksie, where kids can discover African stories that look and sound like them. 

These spaces show children that books are treasures waiting to be found, not just assignments to complete. For example: Plan a Saturday morning library trip or attend a storytelling session at Booksie. Let your child choose their own book, this builds a feeling of ownership and excitement.

Create reading moments at home or school

Schedule small, cozy reading breaks. It doesn’t need to be long; even ten minutes a day can make a difference. Teachers can do the same in class with “silent reading time” where everyone, including the teacher, reads something they love. For instance: In the evening, instead of turning on the TV right away, announce “family reading time.” Then everyone picks a book.

Talk about the books you read

Reading shouldn’t end when you close the book. Chat about what you’ve read, share your favourite parts, laugh at the funny parts or wonder out loud how the story might end differently.

It shows children that reading sparks thinking, connection and joy. For example: After finishing a story, ask, “What would you have done if you were the main character?” or share how a story reminded you of your own childhood.

Express anticipation and excitement

Let your enthusiasm show by saying things like, “I can’t wait to find out what happens next!” Your tone and body language matter, they teach children that reading is not an obligation, but an adventure worth feeling excited about.

When children watch you read, they discover that books are something to love. So begin today, make reading a joyful part of you. Visit Booksie to uncover captivating African stories and take part in our Literacy Programmes, designed to assist children become fluent readers.