Parent guide · Sprouts, ages 7–10
How can I build a reading habit in my 7 to 10 year old?
To build a reading habit in a 7 to 10 year old, make reading easy, enjoyable and daily: let your child choose what to read, including comics and non-fiction, keep books where they can reach them, set aside 10 to 15 minutes a day with no screens, and read alongside them. Children read more when reading feels like their choice, not a homework task.
Key takeaways
- Choice matters: comics, joke books, facts and magazines all count.
- A short daily slot beats a long weekly one.
- Keep books in sight and in reach: in the car, by the bed, near the sofa.
- Read alongside your child: children copy what adults do.
- Talk about books, don’t test them.
Why is building a reading habit worth the effort?
Children who read for fun read more often, and regular reading builds vocabulary, spelling and writing. But reading for pleasure has been falling: in the UK National Literacy Trust’s 2025 survey of over 100,000 children and young people, only about a third of 8 to 18 year olds said they enjoyed reading in their free time, the lowest level in 20 years.1 A reading habit doesn’t happen by itself any more; families have to make room for it.
How do I get my child to want to read?
- Let them choose. Comics, graphic novels, joke books, animal facts and sports magazines are all real reading.
- Start with their interests: cricket, space, dinosaurs, a favourite cartoon character.
- Series help: once a child likes one book in a series, the next one is an easy yes.
- Keep it a little easy: a book your child can read smoothly builds confidence; save harder books for reading together.
How do we fit reading into the day?
- Pick a regular 10 to 15 minute slot, such as after dinner or before bed.
- Make it screen-free for everyone, including adults.
- Keep a small basket of books in the places your child sits.
- Carry a book for waiting times: the car, the doctor, a queue.
- Visit a library or bookshop once a month and let your child pick.
Should I still read aloud to a 7 to 10 year old?
Yes. Reading aloud to your child lets them enjoy stories a little above their own reading level, hear new words and expressive reading, and keeps reading a shared, warm time. Take turns: you read a page, they read a page.
How do I talk about books without making it feel like a test?
Ask questions you’re genuinely curious about: “Who’s your favourite character? Would you want to be friends with them? What would you have done?” Share your own reading too. If your child stops a book they don’t like, that’s fine: choosing what not to read is part of being a reader.
How do Little Lingos classes help?
In Sprouts, our stage for ages 7 to 10, children read short chapter books, retell stories in order and talk about them in live 40-minute classes. Speaking about books in a small group helps children enjoy them more. Try our free reading check to see where your child is now.
Keep reading: helping with English spelling, reading English picture books with your child and teaching the alphabet. To practise this with a trainer, see our reading classes.
Questions parents ask
Questions parents ask
How long should a 7 to 10 year old read each day?
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is a good start. A short daily habit builds more reading over time than a long session once a week.
Do comics and graphic novels count as reading?
Yes. They build vocabulary, understanding and the habit of reading, and many children move on to longer books from them.
Should I reward my child for reading?
Small celebrations, such as choosing the next library book, help. Avoid paying for pages read, which can make reading feel like a chore.
My child only wants to read on a tablet. Is that okay?
E-books are still reading. Turn off notifications and games while reading, and keep some paper books around too, so reading isn’t tied to a screen.
What if my child reads in another language at home?
That’s great. Reading in any language builds reading skills that carry over. Add some English books alongside, chosen by your child.
Sources
- National Literacy Trust (2025). Children and young people’s reading in 2025. literacytrust.org.uk.
Sources checked 3 November 2026. This guide is general information for parents, not medical, psychological or speech-therapy advice.
See how your child reads in a demo class
Book a 30-minute demo class. Your child meets a trainer, plays a few word games, and you get a written level report the same day.
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