It’s 9 pm. You suggest a book before bed, and your child groans as if you’ve asked them to tidy the whole house. Five minutes later, you find them under the blanket, scrolling through short videos on a tablet. Sound familiar?

Most parents know that reading matters. It builds vocabulary, sharpens concentration, and makes every other subject easier to follow. The hard part isn’t convincing ourselves. It’s convincing a child who has a screen within arm’s reach.

At Ridge Valley School, considered by many families to be the best school in Gurgaon for raising curious learners, we spend a lot of time thinking about how children become readers. In this blog post, we’ve explained why some children drift away from books, what actually helps them come back, and how school and home can work together. Read on.

Why Do Children Stop Reading?

Reading Starts to Feel Like Homework

When every book comes with a worksheet, a summary to write, or a test at the end, reading slowly turns into a chore. Children begin to link books with being checked rather than being entertained.

The Books Are the Wrong Fit

A book that is too hard is frustrating, and one that is too easy is boring. Sometimes, the problem is simply the subject. A child who loves cricket may have no patience for a fairy tale but will happily read a player’s biography.

Screens Win the Competition

A video asks nothing of a child. A book asks them to imagine, concentrate, and wait for the story to unfold. Without some screen-free time in the day, books rarely get a fair chance.

Reading Aloud Stops Too Soon

Many parents stop reading to their children once they can read on their own. But listening to stories, especially ones slightly above their reading level, keeps children interested and introduces them to richer words and ideas.

What Actually Helps a Child Enjoy Reading?

1. Let Them Choose

Comics, graphic novels, joke books, magazines, and non-fiction all count. At this stage, the goal is enjoyment. Once the habit is in place, most children move on to more challenging books on their own.

2. Keep Books Within Easy Reach

Keep a small shelf or basket of books in your child’s room, in the living room, and even in the car. A book that is close at hand is far more likely to be picked up.

3. Read Where They Can See You

Children copy what they see. If they watch you reading a newspaper or a novel, reading starts to look like a normal, grown-up thing to do.

4. Talk, Don’t Test

Instead of asking, “What was the moral of the story?”, try asking, “Which character would you want as a friend?” Conversations about books should feel like sharing, not like an exam.

5. Protect a Little Reading Time Every Day

Even 15 minutes before bed adds up over a year. A fixed time helps reading become a routine rather than something that depends on mood.

What Should a School Do to Build Readers?

Children spend a large part of their day at school, so the reading culture there matters just as much as the one at home. When you visit a school, look beyond the size of its main library. Ask whether younger children have book corners in their classrooms, how often they bring books home, and whether there is time in the week simply to read for pleasure.

It’s also worth asking how reading connects to the rest of school life. Storytelling sessions, book weeks, and writing competitions give children a reason to care about words. India’s National Education Policy 2020 places strong emphasis on school libraries and on building a culture of reading, so this is a fair question to put to any school.

Building a Reading Culture at Ridge Valley School

At Ridge Valley School, DLF Phase IV, books are never far away. Our library holds around 25,000 books, including fiction, reference books, and encyclopedias, along with magazines and journals. From Nursery to Grade X, every classroom also has its own library, and each child is issued a book from it every fortnight. This way, reading becomes a regular part of school life rather than an occasional trip to the library.

Our corridors have reflection areas with mini libraries, where children can settle down with a book during a quiet moment in the day.

We also give children reasons to write their own stories. Our students have taken part in the Katha Utsav National Writers Workshop and Competition, which encourages young writers to find their voice. Our teachers, too, use stories as a teaching tool. They have attended a workshop on Storytelling as a Pedagogy, conducted by the TISB Training Academy, so that stories find their way into lessons across subjects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. My child only reads comics. Is that a problem?

Not at all. Comics and graphic novels build vocabulary and help children follow a story. Keep other books around, but don’t take away what they enjoy.

Q. Should I still read aloud to a child who can read independently?

Yes. Reading aloud lets you share books that are slightly above their level, and it gives you time together that many children quietly treasure.

Q. Do e-books and audiobooks count as reading?

They do. Audiobooks are especially handy on long drives or for children who find reading tiring. That said, printed books are free from the distraction of notifications.

Q. How much should my child read every day?

There’s no fixed rule. A short, regular habit of 15 to 20 minutes a day usually works better than long sessions once in a while.

Q. My child is a slow reader. Should I be worried?

Children develop at different speeds. If the difficulty continues for several months, or if your child avoids reading altogether, speak to their class teacher.

Conclusion

Children don’t become readers because they are told to. They become readers when books feel like a pleasure, when there’s time to enjoy them, and when the adults around them show that reading matters.

At Ridge Valley School, we work towards this every day, with books in every classroom, quiet corners to read in, and teachers who bring stories into their lessons. It’s one of the reasons parents see us as the best school in Gurgaon for children who love to learn. When families keep the habit going at home too, children have every reason to keep turning the page.

To find out more about life at Ridge Valley School, call our admissions team on +91-9650090345 or write to info@ridgevalleyschool.org.