From bedtime stories to teddies as eager listeners, Bookworm Dubai shares simple, joyful ways to help children fall in love with reading
Want to raise a confident, curious reader early on? It all starts long before school.
Every book opened in childhood is a doorway to new ideas, places, and possibilities — and a lifelong love of learning.
What really matters isn’t just teaching children how to read but helping them want to read.
When children find joy in books, they gain more than literacy skills: stories fuel imagination, build empathy, and spark curiosity.
So how can parents make reading feel like a treat rather than a task?
The team at Bookworm Dubai share their favourite reading tips for parents, from turning teddies into eager listeners to spotting words out in the wild. These simple ideas help weave books naturally into family life, so children grow up not just able to read, but eager to.
Bookworm Dubai’s top tips for developing early readers
Take it in turns
When sharing books together, taking turns to read and turn the pages is a powerful tool not only for building children’s confidence but also for adults to model expectations.
Reading in this sense doesn’t have to necessarily be the words on the page, especially with younger children. Instead, the child may enjoy sharing their own version.
Reading to different audiences is also encouraged — teddies are very good listeners!
Make reading part of your daily routine
Having clear, consistent routines is important for child development, and incorporating reading into daily life will have a positive impact.
For many families, this happens before bedtime. The reading experience can be led by an adult reading a story, or it can be more interactive as the child gets older.
Always having books with you when out and about is a good idea, and recognising reading opportunities in the environment, such as signs and menus.
Voice and choice
Just like adults, children are usually attracted to books with themes and topics that interest them. While it can be difficult to change subject matter (for example, if they love dinosaurs), you could vary the type of book they read, such as switching from fiction to non-fiction.
Let children choose and encourage them to share what they enjoy reading. There will be many opportunities as they grow to diversify, but this is essential to fostering a lifelong love of books from an early age.
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Utilise props and pictures
Children’s books are beautifully curated texts, and much thought goes into not only the words but also the illustrations. The pictures usually enrich the narrative, so spend time discussing them with your child and pointing out details.
You could also enhance story time with props, such as related small toys or puppets, to encourage interaction. Varying voices for characters also helps.
Create a comfortable environment
Where possible, it is advisable to share a book in a distraction-free environment. This helps children fully immerse themselves in the experience, enabling them to concentrate and engage. This may also support the amount of time they can focus.
Be a reading role model
Children thrive on copying adult behaviours, and reading is no exception. Be mindful of how you demonstrate reading in your home — whether from printed books or digital devices — and show that it is an enjoyable, everyday activity.
Lots of adults now read on screens; a child could misinterpret this as something else, so intentional actions are recommended.
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