How Do You Develop a Reading Habit at Home?

Reading is not just a way of passing time, but a way of gaining knowledge and broadening one’s horizons. In this case, the formation of a reading habit can be both useful and fun at home if the time and space are well chosen. If you are interested in the ways on how to read at home, here are some tips and steps that can be taken to ensure that this habit is developed in the long run.

Create a Dedicated Reading Space

In order to read daily, one has to set a special comfortable and quiet place in the home. This could be a small corner in the living room or even a cozy corner in your bedroom, for instance. The concept is to have a room that is dedicated to reading and nothing else, no distractions. Ensure that the environment is lit and has a good chair to sit on and a shelf for the books that you intend to read.

Also, do not be afraid to make this reading nook extra special. You can put some scented candles, soft cushions or even a few plants to make the atmosphere more calm. This is why the right environment is very important when it comes to reading so that you can be encouraged to spend more time with the book.

Set Realistic Reading Goals

Goal setting is one of the best practices that can be used to develop any habit and this also applies to reading. To begin with, it is recommended that you set achievable reading targets that you can accomplish within the time that you have at your disposal. These goals do not have to be very elaborate. For instance, you could set the goal of reading one chapter per day or a fixed number of pages per week.

The idea is to set these goals as realistic as possible, especially in the initial stages, so that you do not get stressed. When you are into the routine of reading, you can set higher targets progressively. It is advisable to set and achieve small achievable targets so that you can develop a positive attitude towards reading in the long run.

Make Reading Fun Through Challenges and Rewards

Another strategy that can be used is to make reading a game or a challenge so that the child would be more interested in reading. Some of them are individual reading goals such as reading a specific number of books in a month or trying out new categories. You could also participate in reading challenges that are conducted online and which challenge the reader. Take a break after a book is done—whether you get a candy or just a break to celebrate the completion of a book.

It is especially useful to apply game-based approach to reading for children or learners who have difficulties with concentration in case of using conventional approaches. By adding play element and accomplishment, the process of reading becomes more enjoyable and fulfilling. An example of this is Literator, which is a reading platform that adapts to the reader’s needs and provides a motivational system in the form of achievements and challenges. It has features that help to monitor the progress, to set goals and achievements, and to complete quizzes that make learning more entertaining.

With Literator, readers can earn rewards, gain achievements, and participate in reading races, so the process of reading becomes exciting. The fun and learning that is incorporated in these books can be very useful in ensuring that the young readers remain interested and continue to read.

Incorporate Reading Into Your Daily Routine

To make a reading habit, it has to become a ritual that one practices every day. Try to set specific time during the day when you will be able to read without any interruptions, for example, in the morning before work, on the way to work (if you use public transport), or before going to bed. Most people prefer to read before going to bed because it is a good way to pass time and get rid of stress after working throughout the day.

It is also possible to schedule certain periods for reading, for instance, 15-20 minutes after lunch or one hour on the weekends. The concept is to approach reading as a routine activity as taking a shower or going to the gym. In the long run, reading will turn into a habit and you will not even think twice before picking up a book than to turn on the phone or the television set.

Explore Different Genres to Maintain Interest

At times, people are bored with reading because they only read the kind of books that they like and are used to. There is always a way to spice things up and one of them is by trying out new genres and styles. If you are a fiction lover, switch to non-fiction, biography, or poetry. On the other hand, if you have been in the habit of reading historical books, try a change and go for science fiction or mystery books.

Reading also exposes you to different ideas and perceptions that you may not have encountered in your everyday life. This makes the experience interesting and one is likely to continue with the reading habit since there is always something to look forward to.

Involve Family Members to Build a Reading Community

It is easier and more fun to read if one is to do so with other people. Engage your family members in your reading process by developing a reading community at home. You can set a time where the entire family reads together or you can start a small family book club where you discuss what you have read in a week.

Influence from parents and siblings is one of the most effective ways of encouraging children to read from books that their parents and siblings are reading. You could also read to the younger members of the family or have them read to you. This way, the habit of reading becomes a social one, where people come together to read and in the process create bonds that are very important in the society.