Tips for Learning Coaches and Parents: How to Encourage Reading at Home 

Helping students develop a love of reading doesn’t require elaborate programs or rigid routines. With consistent encouragement and a few intentional habits, learning coaches and parents can support reading in ways that feel natural, meaningful, and sustainable—especially for middle school students. 

1. Ask About What They’re Reading 

One of the simplest ways to support reading is to show genuine interest. Ask your student what they’re reading and what they think about it. Which characters stand out? Do they relate to anyone in the story? Would they want to read another book by the same author? These conversations help reading feel personal rather than like another assignment to complete. 

2. Read Together 

Reading together doesn’t have to mean long sessions or formal discussions. Families might choose a shared book each month or set aside short, regular reading time. Reading alongside students creates space to exchange ideas, share reactions, and reinforce that reading is something people do for enjoyment, not just for school. 

3. Help Students Access Books 

Access plays a major role in reading habits. Borrowing books from friends or neighbors, visiting local libraries, or setting up digital library accounts can remove barriers. With a library card and a phone or tablet, students can check out books instantly and explore different genres, making it easier to keep reading momentum going. 

4. Make Reading the Gift, Not the Goal 

Reading routines work best when the emphasis is on consistency rather than achievement. Whether students read one book or many, any reading counts. When progress is acknowledged without pressure, students are more likely to see reading as something enjoyable and personally rewarding, not something tied to points or prizes. 

5. Model Reading Yourself 

Students pay attention to what the adults around them value. Sharing what you’re reading, reacting to a story, or talking about how a book made you think or feel shows that reading has purpose beyond schoolwork. These moments reinforce that reading is about curiosity, connection, and engagement. 

Start Small, Start Now 

The most important step is making time for reading. Even short, regular reading periods add up. When reading becomes a familiar and enjoyable part of daily life, it’s far more likely to become a lifelong habit. 

Encouraging reading doesn’t require perfection—just presence, access, and encouragement. Ask questions, read together, help with access, and model your own love of reading. By doing so, you give students the greatest gift of all: the joy of reading for pleasure. 

See how DCAWI can bring out the reader—and more—in your child.  

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