Reading is the Gateway to Learning: Here’s how to get your child interested in reading.

Incorporate these reading tips into your routine, and you’ll be on your way to fostering a love of reading in your child.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 18, 2022

Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community

Learning to read is foundational to every educational experience. A child who develops a love of reading from a young age will be able to tackle whatever subject they want. Yet not all kids dive head first into books. For every three-year-old toddling around quoting Dr. Seuss, there’s no shortage of older kids who clench their teeth every time someone suggests it’s reading time.

The reasons for this reluctance vary. Some little ones struggle with phonics because of Dyslexia or ADHD, while others just need a little more time to be developmentally ready. Others may associate reading with tedious early readers or simply have yet to find the spark that sets their imagination on fire.

If your child is struggling to become an enthusiastic reader, you’ll want to get personalized advice from as many expert adults as possible — ideally who know your child and their situation, whether it’s their classroom teacher, tutors, other family members or caregivers. But these are some common ways we find can help kids get over the typical obstacles to developing a love of reading.


Let them choose their own books

The only way a child will put in the hours necessary to become a strong reader is if they want to read. Follow your child’s interest from an early age, and it won’t be such a strain to convince them to pick up a book.

Thanks to the renaissance in children’s books over the past few decades, there are more choices than ever for getting a child reading — happily. Comic books and graphic novels have become a resource: they engage kids with visuals along with words, provide a point of entry into important subjects kids grapple with, and excite the imagination, all while getting children comfortable with spending time poring over pages.

Think outside the box, and invite your child who loves baking to read cookbooks, or give instruction manuals to your child who loves to build. Help them discover that they can read for pleasure and use it as a tool to get them where they need to go.

Make sure they’re at the right level

In addition to their free choice reading materials, kids should be guided towards books at — or even slightly above — their reading level. Don’t just go by your child’s age: There are several different free testing options available to get a sense of their level, including the lite version of easycbm.com and freckle.com.

If your child isn’t showing interest in reading, it could be because of a mismatch: either struggling to read above their level or not being stimulated by books below their level. Resist the urge to push them straight into Harry Potter if they aren’t ready for chapter books.

But by the same token, don’t worry if an older child still likes picture books that seem too young; just also get them to try out books that push them to learn new words and grow as a reader.

Read aloud to them (and ask them to read to you)

Bedtime stories aren’t just for young children. Older kids can also benefit from a reading bedtime ritual — a great way to bond with your child and wind down the day. For kids who are really resistant to reading, this could be a perfect time to let them relax and hear a story without any expectation that they read along.

But if they’re up for a little challenge (and aren’t too sleepy), you can use bedtime reading as an opportunity to get them to read aloud to you, maybe by alternating pages or having them read the first sentence of every chapter. As they read to you, keep corrections to a minimum, so you both can focus on the pleasure of the story, and make sure to celebrate their effort when they’re done.

Again, don’t forget to let them pick the book every night!

Schedule regular reading time (and then join in)

Sometimes all a reluctant reader needs is a schedule. Set the expectation that they read books  at a certain time of day, every day, even if it’s initially for a very short period. Like any habit, reading habits can be built slowly. Consistency is key!

It might also help if they use you as a reading role model: If you’ve been meaning to make more time for reading yourself, try creating family reading time when everyone gathers in the same room, reads a book of their choice and then shares what they’ve read.

Incorporate a regular outing to the local library to make the ritual more dynamic: get them a library card, have them check out their own new books, and you’ll be more likely to get their buy in.


Lean on technology (wisely)

With all the influx of technology into our daily routine, it can be easy to create oppositions between reading and screens. But technology has a role to play in building readers; like it or not, our children are digital natives, and they’ll learn to read in a different way than we did. Technology can be a force for good in helping them love reading, for example:

  • Let them listen to audiobooks (in addition to reading physical books). Even if they aren’t doing the work of decoding, listening to books familiarizes them with storytelling, builds their vocabulary, and excites their imagination. Just ask them to read along with a copy of the book as they listen (at least some of the time) so they can build their reading skills as well.
  • For young readers who need a foundation in phonics, there are high-quality AI apps that listen to children reading books aloud, coaching them through any challenging words, and cheering them on when they get it right.
  • For kids with an interest in real life current events who aren’t quite ready for the New York Times, a service like Newsela provides access to news stories at a range of reading levels. Make reading the news together one of your family activities!

98% of parents are confident that Prisma is preparing their child for their adult life.

Want to learn more about how Prisma can empower your child to thrive?

Talk with usTalk with us

More from our blog

Meet Lizzie Thompson

Middle School Curriculum Designer Lizzie uses her diverse experiences: studying Literature at Harvard, leading outdoor adventure expeditions, and teaching high school English, to help Prisma learners find their voices.

Emily Veno
• 
September 25, 2023

What's the Difference Between Homeschool and Online School?

The pandemic has made homeschooling easier than ever before with a boom of online options from curriculum, to part-time programs, to full-time schools. But which is best for your family?

Emily Veno
• 
September 23, 2023

Meet Trevor Baker

Prisma High School’s Launchpad Program will prepare learners to tackle their next phase, be it college, training, or an exciting career. Trevor Baker, our LaunchPad program designer, describes how he sets learners up for success.

Emily Veno
• 
September 14, 2023

Decision Making for Kids

You might have to jump in at first. But eventually, with the right modeling and practice, kids can develop the skills to make thoughtful decisions.

Emily Veno
• 
September 13, 2023

Meet Gabe DellaVecchia

Middle School Curriculum Designer Gabe, an expert in interdisciplinary learning with a PhD from the University of Michigan, explains how he designs themes that blend together STEM and literacy.

Emily Veno
• 
September 7, 2023

Activities for Homeschoolers

One of the most fun parts of being a homeschooling parent is creating fun learning experiences for your kiddos! In this post, we share our favorite at-home activities and online resources.

Emily Veno
• 
September 6, 2023

Meet Helen Reinecke

Our Head of Middle School Curriculum explains how her team blends core subjects and real-world topics to design “hard fun” cycle themes.

Emily Veno
• 
August 31, 2023

Emotional Intelligence for Middle and High Schoolers

One of the reasons our team wanted to develop a new kind of school was because we felt traditional schooling doesn’t put enough emphasis on developing emotionally intelligent kids. But what is emotional intelligence and how do you develop it?

Emily Veno
• 
August 30, 2023

Meet Carolyn Ruffin

"Carolyn is a miracle worker in math. Piper's attitude towards math has improved so much this year. It's never been her favorite subject but Carolyn's patience and encouragement has made such a positive impact." -Alexia A., Prisma parent

Emily Veno
• 
August 24, 2023

Media Literacy for Kids

Media literacy is touted as one of the most important “21st century skills” for kids to master, in line with creativity, communication, and grit. Thinking through the amount of time most of us spend interacting with some form of media each day makes a good case for this.

Emily Veno
• 
August 23, 2023

Meet Lauren Green

“Lauren is fantastic and has struck a nice balance of connecting with Cooper and keeping him on task. I'm impressed to see real growth in Cooper around self awareness, reflecting on his “glows and grows,” and goal setting.” -Kym J., Prisma parent

Emily Veno
• 
August 17, 2023

Meet Kimberly Harlan

“I've seen growth in my kids, and most importantly a solid relationship between them and their coaches. We feel so grateful for these amazing humans that have entered our kids' lives. My kids' words exactly: ‘These teachers actually want to be here. They really care!’ ” -Katie M., Parent in Kimberly’s Cohort

Emily Veno
• 
August 14, 2023

How to Teach Your Child about Investing: Empowering Through Financial Literacy

By introducing these concepts at home, you're setting your child up to be more financially responsible and savvy, giving them the tools to navigate an increasingly complex financial world.

Emily Veno
• 
August 8, 2023

Meet Javi Bernatas

“I’m so happy to have an opportunity to call out Javi. As a math educator myself I am really impressed with how he presents math concepts, differentiates for and challenges learners as needed. From a social-emotional perspective he is so kind, patient and invested in the kids as a whole. I am so happy he is Brynn’s math coach.” -Chandra S., Prisma parent

Emily Veno
• 
July 31, 2023

How to Help a Child with Frustration

The ability to tolerate frustration is not merely about weathering the storm of the moment, but about instilling the persistence, adaptability, and resilience that set your child up for future success.

Emily Veno
• 
July 28, 2023

Meet Angie Foucher

“We are eternally grateful for Prisma and the wonderful people who work there - especially the coaches - whose patience and expertise make our kids feel seen and heard and loved while also coaching them to learn knowledge and skills.” -Ashley S., Parent in Angie’s cohort

Emily Veno
• 
July 25, 2023

Prisma earns Cognia accreditation

We are thrilled to announce that Prisma has earned accreditation from the Cognia Global Education Commission.

Emily Veno
• 
July 24, 2023

Best Homeschool Writing Curriculum

Online program? Good old-fashioned workbooks? A mix? Let’s help you unpack the options.

Emily Veno
• 
July 21, 2023

Meet James McManus

"Thank you for the bottom of our hearts for showing Story what it means to show up and do the hard work.” -Jenna W, Prisma Parent

Emily Veno
• 
July 18, 2023

Neurodivergent Parenting: Honoring Your Needs While Raising Great Kids

Your unique way of processing the world brings with it challenges and rewards that color your parenting journey.

Emily Veno
• 
July 14, 2023

Meet Kristi Hertzog

“Kristi sent Madeline a little note saying how much she likes seeing Madeline everyday, and Madeline grinned from ear to ear. Certainly a nice reminder of how different the relationship has been between coach and student compared to what we saw in public school.” -Pamela D., Prisma Parent

Emily Veno
• 
July 13, 2023

Challenges Gifted Kids Face

Many people assume advanced intellectual ability sets kids up for success in school, so when gifted kids struggle, it can be confusing for educators and parents.

Emily Veno
• 
July 7, 2023

Meet Anne McHugh

“Despite Levi’s frustrations with science in the past, he had the most ambitious projects for Anne’s class. I love that she was able to inspire him!” -Joy J., Prisma parent

Emily Veno
• 
July 5, 2023

Meet Cindy Wong

“Cindy is AMAZING! I’m so blown away by her accommodations, reprioritizing Parker’s to do lists, and always providing tons of encouragement. I’m knocked off my socks everytime I overhear her doing anything, really.” -Priscilla W., Prisma Parent

Emily Veno
• 
June 29, 2023

Matilda, Henry & Jessica’s Prisma Story

The first big surprise for me was the amazing team I would get to help me. I didn’t feel so alone when it came to supporting my kids' academic education.

Jessica Fox
• 
June 28, 2023

Meet Natalie Bragg

“Natalie is so amazing and Karl has become very close with her. This year has seen Karl expand in his learning very much." -Anna H., Prisma parent

Emily Veno
• 
June 20, 2023

Meet Gwyn Gaafary

“Gwyn has been so wonderful to Jack. She is so relatable and authentic and really kind. She immediately bonded with him, and has really given him the freedom to be creative and take risks. She has made education and the whole "school experience" a safe place for him. With her support and encouragement, she has really made him thrive.” -Wren W., Prisma parent

Emily Veno
• 
June 16, 2023

Service Learning Projects for Kids

How do you make sure the projects you design for your learners or homeschoolers are more than just volunteering, but meaningful learning opportunities?

Emily Veno
• 
June 14, 2023

School Refusal: What It Is and How to Help

In this blog post, we’ll explain what “school refusal” really means, possible causes of school refusal, and why rates might be rising. We’ll also share concrete strategies you can try if your child is struggling. You are not alone!

Emily Veno
• 
June 9, 2023

Executive Functioning Skills for Kids

All kids need to learn these important cognitive skills, but kids with ADHD and autism might struggle more

Emily Veno
• 
June 6, 2023

Goal setting for kids

Our favorite processes and activities for helping kids achieve their dreams

Emily Veno
• 
June 2, 2023

Entrepreneurship for Kids

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” -Milton Berle

Emily Veno
• 
May 31, 2023

Design Thinking for Kids

How kids can design projects that solve real-world problems

Emily Veno
• 
May 26, 2023

Best Homeschool Math Curriculum

The Homeschool Math Struggle

Emily Veno
• 
May 19, 2023

Best Homeschool Science Curriculum for Middle School

Falling in Love with Science

Emily Veno
• 
May 18, 2023

How to Make Friends When Homeschooled

There are plenty of ways that homeschoolers make friends and engage with their peers, while still reaping the benefits of a homeschool education.

Emily Veno
• 
May 12, 2023

Growth Mindset Questions for Kids

Tools to build self-awareness and resilience

Emily Veno
• 
May 9, 2023

AI in the Classroom

Best practices for this new technology

Emily Veno
• 
May 5, 2023

Interdisciplinary learning

The real world isn’t divided into school subjects. Learn how we design our interdisciplinary curriculum.

Emily Veno
• 
May 3, 2023

Online school burnout

Why it happens and how to avoid it

Emily Veno
• 
April 27, 2023

How to Explain the Importance of Education to a Child

Explore the importance of education for children’s overall development and get practical tips for convincing your kids of its importance.

Emily Veno
• 
April 25, 2023

Curiosity in Learning

The Superpower that Turns Kids into Lifelong Learners

Emily Veno
• 
April 20, 2023

Real world education

What would it look like if school prepared us for life?

Emily Veno
• 
April 18, 2023

Does it Matter if Your Child is Over-Scheduled?

Why is it that in a world of unprecedented technological advances and time-saving innovations, we seem to be busier than ever before?

Emily Veno
• 
April 13, 2023

Imagination for kids

Imaginative play isn’t just for preschoolers. Here’s how to spark your child’s imagination.

Emily Veno
• 
April 11, 2023

How to craft a homeschool cooking curriculum

Engaging kids in the kitchen goes beyond food preparation. Here’s how to incorporate cooking into your weekly lesson plans.

Prisma Staff
• 
April 6, 2023

Helping your child choose a career path

The job landscape is shifting before our eyes. Here’s how to help kids navigate future career choices.

Prisma Staff
• 
April 4, 2023

“Is high school fun?”

If your child has doubts, here’s how to help them get to a “yes.”

Prisma Staff
• 
March 30, 2023

7 tips to deal with high school burnout

With adolescent mental health in crisis, here’s how to support your high school student’s well-being.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 28, 2023

Why is Creativity Important in Education?

At its core, creativity is the expression of our most essential human qualities: our curiosity, our inventiveness, and our desire to explore the unknown.

Emily Veno
• 
March 24, 2023

How to develop critical thinking skills in students

The concept of critical thinking can seem vast and abstract. But one of the most meaningful ways you can start to tackle it is by rethinking the role of the teacher.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 23, 2023

Worldschooling: Our Complete Guide to Getting Started

Imagine your child exploring new countries, meeting people from different cultures, and gaining a deep understanding of the world in a way that simply isn't possible in traditional education.

Emily Veno
• 
March 22, 2023

Writing prompts for middle school students

Unstick your child’s creativity, stretch their thinking, and improve their writing skills with topics that tap into their passions.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 21, 2023

Cora & Caitlin's Prisma story

I never expected to find a family within my child’s school, but the leadership, teachers, parents and kids have become friends for life

Caitlin, Cora's mom
• 
March 21, 2023

Homeschool Burnout: How to Take Care of Yourself in Your Journey

Homeschooling can be overwhelming for parents. Here's how to recognize the signs of burnout & concrete solutions.

Emily Veno
• 
March 20, 2023

Why is school so boring?

What’s behind your child’s complaint — and what to do about it.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 17, 2023

What to do when your child has no friends

If building social skills has been a bumpy road for your kid, here’s how to help them form healthy friendships.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 14, 2023

How to make homeschool fun

The homeschool day can be quite efficient, compared to a typical public school day. Then, their school work completed, kids have plenty of time for extracurriculars, hobbies, unstructured play and generally... fun.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 9, 2023

My child hates school. Should I homeschool?

Possibly. But here’s what to do first.

Prisma Staff
• 
March 7, 2023

Teaching nutrition to high school students

To instill life-long healthy eating habits, take a hands-on approach

Prisma Staff
• 
March 2, 2023

The secrets of building a sense of community in online learning

Distance learning doesn’t have to be a drag. Here’s how Prisma creates a community-centered online learning environment.

Prisma Staff
• 
February 28, 2023

How does online high school work?

Distance learning is gaining popularity. Here’s what you need to know about online learning for high school students.

Prisma Staff
• 
February 23, 2023

How to build strong study habits for middle school

A bridge into high school, middle school is the time to prepare for independent learning. Here’s how to set the stage.

Prisma Staff
• 
February 21, 2023

How to help an easily distracted child

ADHD is only one reason for a short attention span. Find the cause, then try these tips for helping your child focus.

Prisma Staff
• 
February 16, 2023

How to help your child find their passion

There’s no roadmap to develop a true passion — but here are ways to make the journey more fruitful.

Prisma Staff
• 
February 14, 2023

Meet Kristen Shroff

Kristen Shroff is an experienced educational leader who has been with Prisma from the very beginning, first as a Founding Curriculum Designer & then as Head of School. Now, as CEO, she will lead Prisma into its next stage of growth.

• 
February 10, 2023

Meet Claire Cummings

Meet Claire Cummings, our Head of Middle School. Claire started out as a beloved Learning Coach in our middle school program before transitioning to the Head of School role in January 2023! She is based in Detroit, Michigan.

• 
February 10, 2023

How to teach life skills for teens

From making a meal to balancing a budget, here’s how to help teens learn to thrive in the real world.

Prisma Staff
• 
February 9, 2023

Meet Emily Veno

In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Emily Veno, one of Prisma's Founding Curriculum Designers. After two years focused on building Prisma's middle school curriculum, in her new role as Head of Learning Innovation she works across both the middle & high school programs.

• 
February 8, 2023

Meet Leena Williams

In our Meet the Team blog series, you’ll get to read more about the innovative thinkers behind Prisma. Next up is Leena Williams, the Lead Coach & Curriculum Designer in our new high school program.

• 
February 8, 2023

Motivating students who don't care

Get to the bottom of your child’s apathy and help them find their ‘why.’

Prisma Staff
• 
February 7, 2023

Major & Latasha's Prisma Story

At Prisma, we believe the families and learners who like to call themselves Prismarians—are our ‘secret sauce’! Here we highlight one of our favorite stories from the Prisma community

Latasha, Major's mom
• 
February 6, 2023

How to incorporate educational family trips into homeschooling

From national parks to beach vacations, design an in-the-field learning experience the whole family will enjoy

Prisma Staff
• 
February 2, 2023

How to switch to online school

Online learning takes many forms. Decide why you want to go remote — and the rest will fall into place.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 31, 2023

What are the benefits of homeschooling with ADHD?

Here’s how parents of ADHD children can set themselves up for successful learning at home.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 26, 2023

How to stay focused during online school

Online learning doesn’t have to be distracting. These tips can prime your child to thrive at home.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 24, 2023

Learning activities for gifted children

From early childhood through high school, homeschooling provides the ideal setting to facilitate a gifted child’s learning. Here’s how.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 20, 2023

What challenges do students with learning disabilities face?

And how can you support them in the classroom?

Prisma Staff
• 
January 17, 2023

What are the benefits of child-led learning?

From fostering a love of learning to developing problem-solving skills, child-initiated learning is a pillar of a successful homeschooling journey. Here’s how to get started.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 12, 2023

How to get your child interested in math

Focus on number sense and you’ll help your child add math skills to their toolkit.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 10, 2023

How to keep kids healthy & active during remote learning

Combine fun with a pinch of self-discipline, and you’ll be well on your way to a wellness routine your child wants to follow.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 5, 2023

How to get your child to open up

Kids need to develop their own world as they mature. But the stereotype of the zip-lipped pre-teen doesn’t have to be your reality.

Prisma Staff
• 
January 3, 2023

How to homeschool and work from home

It’s not easy to juggle full-time work and homeschooling — but it is possible. Here’s what we’ve learned about how to thrive.

• 
December 29, 2022

What language should my child learn?

Learning languages opens doors, offers connections and inspires new ways of thinking. Here’s some advice about which one(s) to pick.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 27, 2022

How to teach your child to be a critical thinker

Critical thinking matters for academics, work and relationships. Here’s how to lay the foundations at home.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 22, 2022

Life of a Prisma learner: Aaron

Read about the hands-on learning opportunities one Prisma high schooler tackled in the Secrets of the Biosphere theme

Emily Veno
• 
December 22, 2022

How to help your kids be more creative

Creative thinking is the key to problem-solving. Here’s how to foster creativity at home.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 20, 2022

Considering alternatives to college?

Traditional four-year college is only one option. Here’s how to inform your decision.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 15, 2022

What does Montessori homeschooling look like?

The Montessori approach focuses on early childhood. Here’s how the popular pedagogical method can lend itself to home-based learning for all ages.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 13, 2022

Is Roblox educational?

Here’s what parents need to know about the popular social media network.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 9, 2022

Don’t develop healthy habits for kids — do it with them.

Here’s what every parent should know about facilitating a routine that works for the whole family.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 5, 2022

‘Learning styles’ are a myth (part 3) — What is a kinesthetic learner?

Hands-on learning benefits all students. Here’s how to incorporate it into your homeschooling.

Prisma Staff
• 
December 1, 2022

‘Learning styles’ are a myth (part 2) — characteristics of an auditory learner.

There’s no evidence to confirm the validity of these popular labels. But here’s how auditory learning strategies can benefit everyone.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 29, 2022

‘Learning styles’ are a myth (part 1) — characteristics of a visual learner.

Although no studies link these popular labels to academic achievement, here’s how visual learning helps everyone.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 24, 2022

Is Discord safe for kids?

Here’s what parents need to know about the free, popular chat app.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 22, 2022

Holiday, winter and Christmas art projects for kids

Ready to Deck the Halls? Here are projects to engage kids of all ages—and tackle your seasonal shopping with DIY keepsakes.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 16, 2022

What is the Socratic Method for Kids?

More than just asking questions in the classroom, the Socratic Method helps learners test their own ideas in a real-life context.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 10, 2022

What is the best homeschool curriculum?

Here are some guidelines to help sift through the infinite options.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 8, 2022

What is self-directed learning — and what are the benefits?

When students set the conditions of their learning experience, they show more creativity, passion and sticktuitiveness.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 3, 2022

How is Minecraft Educational?

With built-in lesson plans, educational tools, and endless problem-solving opportunities, Minecraft: Education Edition can help motivate kids in coding, science, language arts, and more.

Prisma Staff
• 
November 1, 2022