Cultivating a Love for Reading in Every Filipino Child
In a nation rich with oral tradition, folktales, and vibrant literature, it’s worrying that the Philippines is facing a literacy crisis.
According to international assessments like the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Filipino students rank among the lowest in reading comprehension. Many children struggle with basic reading skills. This is an alarming reality that affects not just kids’ school performance but their future opportunities in life. Yet there is hope, and it begins where every child’s life is rooted: at home.
The home plays a crucial role in turning this tide. It’s in the comfort of bedtime stories, playful tongue twisters, or discovering exciting books during a rainy afternoon, where the seeds of a love for reading are planted.
Encouraging reading in kids isn’t only about improving academic performance; it’s about opening doors to different scenarios, introducing them to diverse characters, and helping them make sense of real life.
The Benefits of Reading for Kids
Learning how to encourage reading in kids isn’t just about filling free time. Reading offers practical ways to support a child’s overall development. It enhances language skills, strengthens vocabulary, and boosts imagination and empathy.
Through an interest in books, children learn new words, explore different genres, and understand real-life situations through fiction. Reading also promotes good reading habits that help with school readiness and lifelong learning.
Young children who enjoy reading often grow up to be avid readers, and older children who continue to read become more confident, creative, and emotionally intelligent. Whether it’s flipping through picture books or laughing at silly tongue twisters, the act of reading connects a child with family, friends, and the world.
Practical Ways to Cultivate a Love for Reading at Home
1. Start Early and Read Aloud Daily
For many young children, a good reading journey begins when parents read aloud to them. This builds not only a literacy foundation but also a bonding experience.
Reading books written for younger readers out loud brings joy and comfort. When you make reading a daily routine, even just 10 minutes a day, it becomes a natural part of a child’s life.
2. Make Reading a Fun Way to Play
Treat books like educational toys. The pages should be something to explore, flip through, and play with.
Use silly voices, dramatic pauses, or games tied to the stories. Ask your child to act out their favorite characters or guess what happens next in the new story. Making reading fun is key to making it stick.
3. Let Them Choose Their Books
Empower your child by letting them pick their own reading material and books. Whether they prefer comic books, fiction, or picture books, the goal is to let their interests lead the way. Even rereading the same book over and over is okay. Children love the familiarity and comfort it brings.
Of course, you’ll need to be responsible for providing them with book options appropriate for their age.
4. Dedicate a Reading Corner at Home
Design a cozy corner at home where your kids can sit, relax, and read books. Fill it with cushions, good lighting, and easy-to-reach shelves. Having a designated space tells your child that reading is a valued part of your family life.
5. Use the Power of the Library
Getting a library card is an exciting milestone. Public libraries are treasure troves filled with so many books and even free story time sessions or reading challenges.
Exploring the library teaches children to explore different interests and genres without the pressure of buying every book.
6. Make It Part of the Bedtime Routine
Replace screens with story time or book reading before bed. It signals calm, encourages language development, and creates lasting memories.
Read together every night, alternating between fun tongue twisters, heartfelt stories, and books that make your child laugh, think, or talk through any questions they may have.
7. Lead by Example
Your child learns by watching you. When they see you read books, have a real love of reading, flip through a magazine, or browse a literature website, it sets an example.
Share what you’re reading. Talk about characters, plot twists, or how a story connects to their own experiences. It tells them that reading isn’t just for school, it’s part of life.
8. Join or Start a Family Book Club
Start a book club at home or with neighbors. Invite friends and family.
Pick a new story or book each week and talk about it over snacks. Ask your child to draw scenes, write a review, or invent a sequel. For older children, let them take turns choosing the book. It becomes a fun way to bond and discuss ideas.
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9. Incorporate Writing into Reading
Reading and writing go hand in hand. Encourage your child to write letters to fictional characters, start a journal, or develop their own book (ensuring that the book-related activities are age-appropriate). These activities help children develop not only a love of reading but also communication skills (through writing and speech) and imagination skills.
Reading will come alive when they start creating their own pages.
10. Celebrate Books in Real Life
Bring books to life by linking the words to your child’s reality. After reading about space, visit a planetarium. Read about animals? Take a trip to the zoo. Offer reading material that tackles interpersonal relationships, and you can talk about your kids’ relationships with their friends.
This connection between literature and actual life makes the experience tangible and lasting.
Good Books to Begin With
Don’t know where to start? There’s no need to worry since there are books published for kids of every age and every interest.
Here are some good children’s books and middle-grade books that Filipino families love:
- “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” – for toddlers learning repetition, rhythm, and new words
- “Go Away, Big Green Monster!” – for young children learning about fear and courage
- “Alamat ng Ampalaya” – a local tale with moral lessons
- “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” – perfect for older children transitioning to reading longer texts
- “The Magic Tree House” series – for kids who love reading books about history and fantasy
- “Trese” – a modern Filipino comic book that teens and even adults will enjoy reading
The Story Continues
Helping children love reading and books doesn’t require expensive tools or special skills. It takes parents who are present, books that match a child’s age and interests, and a home that celebrates stories.
Every reader starts somewhere, often with a family member who takes the time to read stories, laugh at tongue twisters, and create moments around the pages of a book.
In a world with many distractions, reading remains one of the most powerful gifts we can give to kids. The story begins at home, and with every word, every story time, and every trip to the library, we’re raising not just better students, but better humans.
So the next time you pick up a book, remember: you’re not just reading. You’re lighting the way for your child to enter a different world, filled with possibility, empathy, and endless adventure.
A Home Designed for Focus and Learning in Camella
At Camella, we believe every Filipino child deserves a space where imagination thrives. That’s why our homes are thoughtfully designed to support your child’s learning journey. From quiet, well-ventilated bedrooms perfect for reading and studying, to open living areas where the family can gather for story time, Camella homes create the ideal environment to nurture a love for reading.
Whether it’s building a cozy reading nook by a window or having enough room for a mini library, Camella gives your child the space to grow, explore, and fall in love with books. Discover how Camella can help you create not just a house, but a true home for learning and discovery.
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