Walk into any Indian home on a Sunday morning, and you will probably observe a scene that tells you a lot about how children learn to read. A grandfather is often seen reading the newspaper and stopping to explain a cricket story. A mother presents her child with a Tinkle comic book or Amar Chitra Katha that she purchased from a bookshop. Or perhaps a teenager curled up with their books, glancing between the page they’ve been working on for an hour and WhatsApp texts.
All of these times are connected to reading. Still, it doesn’t always come easily. Some kids learn it right away, while others have a hard time. Even adults feel like they could read faster or understand what they’re reading better sometimes. That brings us to the bigger question: how can people of all ages and stages improve their reading skills?
You don’t learn this skill once and then forget how to do it. You can improve your reading skills with time, effort, and some help. Let’s examine some effective strategies that parents, teachers, and students can implement. These strategies come from study and real-life situations.
Why Strong Reading Skills Matter
It’s easy to think of reading as “just another academic skill.” But ask any teacher, and they’ll tell you: students who read well almost always learn better. Reading sharpens focus, builds vocabulary, and develops the ability to think critically.
Imagine a child learning science . If they can’t follow the textbook clearly, the concepts won’t make sense, no matter how well the teacher explains it. Or think of a young professional at work. An email filled with jargon or a report full of numbers can feel intimidating without solid comprehension skills.
So, whether you are looking at how to improve reading skills in students at school or how to keep adults engaged in lifelong learning, the importance of this skill cannot be overstated.
1. Build a Habit, Not Just a Task
Reading can’t be forced. If a child is told, “Read for thirty minutes every day,” it quickly turns into a chore. But if the same child is reading a bedtime story that ends on a cliffhanger, they will ask for more the next night.
For little kids, begin with songs and picture books. There are a lot of great, cheap books published in multiple languages by Indian companies like Tulika and Pratham Books.
For bigger kids, read a variety of books, from novels to short stories to newspapers and even comics. That being said, the goal is not to read a long book in record time, but to get used to writing.
For adults: Pick something you really like. It might be a biography, a thriller, or even a blog.
Habits will last longer if they feel like they came naturally.
2. Vocabulary is a Friend, Not a Fear
Children often stumble when they encounter new words. That’s normal. What matters is how we handle it. Instead of scolding them for not knowing, encourage curiosity. Keep a notebook for “new words” or turn it into a family game.
For instance, if the word “astonished” comes up, ask them to use it in a funny sentence: “I was astonished when the dog wore sunglasses.” Learning sticks better when there’s laughter.
Parents often search for how to improve reading skills of a child and worry about heavy grammar drills. But vocabulary grows best when linked to real life—whether at a vegetable market, a cricket commentary, or a favourite cartoon.
3. Read Aloud and Discuss
There is something special about reading aloud. It reduces the tempo, helps you understand the cadence of the language, and enhances your pronunciation. Even older students preparing for exams benefit from this.
Teachers in India often use a method called “read and explain”. After reading a passage, the student is asked to narrate it in their own words. This checks comprehension immediately. Parents can do the same at home: “What do you think the story was about? Why did the character act that way?”
These discussions shift reading from a one-way activity to an interactive one.
4. Create a Reading Environment
Homes where books are visible encourage reading without words. A modest bookcase in the living room, a few magazines on the table, or even a monthly library visit quietly remind children that reading is a part of their daily lives.
And yes, limit distractions. Phones, TV, and background noise compete for attention. A quiet corner with good lighting can turn reading into a pleasurable ritual.
5. Balance Print and Digital
It’s tempting to complain about screens stealing reading time. But screens can also support reading. E-books, story apps, and audiobooks are particularly helpful for reluctant readers. Audiobooks, for example, let children follow the story while listening to tone and pronunciation.
For older students, academic journals and online newspapers expand horizons. The key is balance. Encourage children to see both a printed book and a digital article as valid reading, not opposing camps.
6. Read in Groups
We humans are social creatures. Reading can be social, too. Schools can form book clubs, parents can create small storytelling circles, and teenagers can exchange novels among friends. When children hear peers discussing a story, they often feel motivated to join.
A lovely example: some schools in India run “drop everything and read” sessions, where the whole class spends 15 minutes in silence with a book of their choice. Peer pressure, in this case, works positively.
7. Link Reading to Interests
Every child has a trigger. Some love animals, some love superheroes, and others are fascinated by history. Use that. A child who refuses to touch textbooks may happily devour a book on Virat Kohli or space missions.
Once the interest hooks them, other reading materials stop feeling like punishment. This is one of the simplest, yet most ignored, answers to how to improve reading skills in students.
8. Encourage Active Reading
It doesn’t really help to read passively, which is simply moving your eyes across a page. Interacting with the text through underlining, taking notes, posing queries, and even drawing in the margins is known as active reading.
Making mental maps or encapsulating chapters in bullet points can be extremely helpful while preparing for an exam. These routines improve comprehension and memory.
9. Don’t Hesitate to Seek Support
Sometimes, a child struggles despite all efforts. It might be due to learning differences like dyslexia. In such cases, professional help from reading specialists or therapists is invaluable.
Early intervention matters. The longer a child struggles alone, the more confidence they lose. With guidance, they can catch up and flourish.
Reading is a lifelong companion. Take a look back at your childhood. Maybe it was a story told by your grandmother on a hot summer afternoon. Maybe it was your first Hardy Boys or Famous Five novel, borrowed from a friend. Those memories stay because reading is not just academic—it’s emotional.
Improving reading skills is not about competition or speed. It’s about giving children and adults the joy of understanding, the thrill of discovery, and the ability to connect with worlds beyond their own.
So, whether you are a parent wondering how to improve reading skills of a child or a teacher guiding a classroom full of energetic minds, remember: patience, encouragement, and small daily habits go a long way.
At Kangaroo Kids International Preschool, we know that reading is the seed from which lifelong learning grows. Our play-based approach ensures children meet words in joyful, age-appropriate ways—through stories, songs, and creative expression. When children fall in love with reading early, confidence follows naturally. And with confidence comes curiosity, which is the true mark of a learner for life.
