How to Make Early Years Reading Fun For Children AND Parents!

Recent UK research suggests that many younger parents no longer find reading aloud to their children particularly enjoyable.

A 2025 survey by HarperCollins UK showed that Gen Z parents, born between 1997 and 2012, were more likely than Millennial or Generation X parents to say they view reading as a subject to learn rather than a fun or enriching activity. Similarly, almost 1 in 3 children aged 5 to 13 agreed that reading is more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do.

This matters because enjoyment strongly influences whether reading becomes a lasting habit or something that gradually fades. When reading feels like another task to complete, it’s less likely to happen regularly. When it feels engaging and shared, it’s far more likely to stick.

Why participation matters in early reading

Young children benefit most from reading when it’s interactive. Research shows that language development is strongest not just when children hear stories, but when they actively engage with them - by talking about what’s happening, anticipating what comes next, and connecting the story to their own experiences.

When reading becomes a conversation rather than a performance, adults can enjoy this time getting to know their child. Children will also tend to listen more closely and contribute more language themselves when there are moments for them to be active rather than passive.

How interactive reading supports language development

Interactive reading encourages children to:

• Use language creatively

• Practice prediction and recall

• Develop understanding through discussion

• Build confidence in speaking and sharing ideas

These moments of interaction are where much of the language learning happens.

Simple ways to make storytime more engaging

Small changes can make a big difference:

• Pause and as your child to predict what might happen next

• Ask your child to look for visual clues in the illustrations

• Turn pages into mini “search and find” moments

• Make the story personal by imagining the child as part of it and asking them what they might do next or how they would feel (or indeed read a personalised story where they are the main character!)

These approaches keep parents and children mentally involved and help reading feel playful rather than passive.

When reading feels fun, it's no longer a chore

Enjoyment doesn’t require extra time or expertise. It comes from flexibility - allowing stories to spark conversation, curiosity, and imagination. When reading feels relaxed and interactive, parents are more likely to return to it, and children are more likely to associate books with pleasure.

Shared reading doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. When it’s enjoyable, it becomes sustainable - and that’s what ultimately supports children’s language development and love of reading over time.

My Little Dream Team is designed to include the elements that make storytime fun, Can your child predict what animal will join the game next or spot the hidden worms on each page?