Reading Role Models: Why They Matter and How to Be One (For Parents and Teachers)

Reading Role Models: Why They Matter and How to Be One

Reading can play a huge part in a child’s development, wellbeing and learning. But helping children develop a love of reading isn’t always about telling them they should read. Often, one of the most powerful things we can do is simply show them that reading is something worth enjoying. Research has highlighted the important role parental involvement can play in children’s literacy development, whether that’s sharing bedtime stories, talking about books or simply having reading material around the home. Teachers can have a similar influence in the classroom.

When children see the adults around them reading, talking about books and enjoying stories, reading starts to feel like a normal and enjoyable part of everyday life.

So, what does it actually mean to be a good reading role model? Below, we explore why reading role models matter and share some simple, practical ideas for parents and teachers.

Why Reading Role Models Matter

Being a reading role model is about much more than encouraging a hobby. Reading can help children develop their vocabulary, concentration, creativity and empathy, while giving them opportunities to discover new ideas, experiences and worlds.

And children notice what the adults around them do.

When they regularly see parents, carers and teachers choosing to read themselves, it can help shift the way they think about reading. Instead of something they are simply expected to do for school, reading becomes something people choose to do because they enjoy it.

The good news is that you don’t need to be someone who reads several novels a month to be a positive reading role model. Small, everyday behaviours can make a difference.

And when positive attitudes towards reading are encouraged both at home and at school, they can help create a wider culture where reading feels valued, shared and enjoyable.

How Parents Can Be Reading Role Models

Let your child see you reading.

Let your child catch you reading, or reading to unwind - even a lunch-break novel or an evening magazine sends the message that reading is something adults genuinely enjoy, not just a task for children.

Widen what counts as "reading".

Books, non-fiction, comics, magazines - it's important that your child understands all reading material has equal value if they're reading it for pleasure. Joining a local library, borrowing from school, or setting up a book swap with other parents are all easy ways to widen access.

Keep reading aloud - even as they get older.

Reading together can still be enjoyable once children are confident readers. It’s a lovely chance to share a story, discover new vocabulary and chat about what you’ve read.

Make space and time for it.

Create simple reading rituals, like a bedtime story, quiet reading after school or a weekend book and biscuit. A cosy reading spot can help too, but it doesn’t need to be anything fancy.

Turn reading into a conversation.

Share your thoughts on what you're reading, discuss characters, or debate a theme. This models critical thinking and helps children learn to articulate their own opinions about books.

Offer recommendations - but let them choose

Ask your child's teacher or other parents what their children have enjoyed recently, or ask for recommendations at your local library, bookshop or even explore personalised recommendations on Pageticker - but always let your child make the final choice of what to read.

Create a little room away from screens.

A bit of screen-free time can naturally make space for books and other enriching activities. Sometimes simply leaving children to choose how to fill a quiet moment can encourage them to pick up a book.

Celebrate reading milestones.

Whether it's finishing a challenging book or reading for several days in a row, celebrating progress fuels a child's motivation to keep going. You can use the free Pageticker app to track your child's reading, set targets and win badges for reaching a new reading milestone.

How Teachers Can Be Reading Role Models

Teachers have a wonderful opportunity to shape the way children see reading. Of course, we also know how busy the school day can be, so becoming a reading role model doesn’t need to mean adding lots of extra activities to an already packed timetable.

Often, it’s about making reading a little more visible within the routines you already have.

Make reading something the whole class shares.

Try reading aloud together for 10–15 minutes, perhaps after playtime or at the end of the day. It can create a calm moment while showing that stories are there to be enjoyed together.

Join in with literacy activities.

If pupils are writing poems, sharing stories or choosing books, join in where you can. Seeing their teacher participate helps show that reading and writing are for everyone.

Make your own reading visible.

Bring in a favourite book, display what you’re currently reading or try a staff “shelfie”. Small glimpses into teachers’ reading lives can make a big impression.

Talk about books naturally.

Mention a book you enjoyed, recommend a title to a colleague or tell pupils what you’re reading at the moment. These everyday conversations can encourage children to share their own recommendations too.

Help every child see themselves as a reader.

Celebrate comics, graphic novels, magazines, non-fiction and audiobooks as well as traditional novels. You could also give less confident readers roles such as Reading Ambassador or let them help choose new classroom books.

Make reading social.

Give pupils opportunities to recommend books, share favourite passages or chat about what they’re reading. Reading can feel much more inviting when it becomes something children share with each other.

Bring parents into the conversation.

Share simple reading ideas, book recommendations or invite families to informal reading sessions. When home and school both celebrate reading, the message becomes even stronger.

Track your own reading too.

If your pupils use Pageticker to log their reading, why not join in? Sharing what you’ve read that week can be a simple and fun way to show that everyone in the classroom is a reader.

Bringing It All Together

Becoming a reading role model doesn’t require a perfect reading routine, an enormous bookshelf or hours of spare time.

It’s often the smaller things that children notice: seeing you pick up a book, hearing you talk enthusiastically about a story, sharing ten minutes of reading together or asking them what they thought about something they’ve read.

Over time, those moments add up.

By showing children that reading is something to enjoy, explore and talk about, parents and teachers can help create an environment where reading feels like a natural part of everyday life.

And that can be an important step towards helping every child discover a lifelong love of reading.

How Pageticker Can Help

We built Pageticker, our digital reading record, to make life easier for teachers doing exactly this kind of work. It allows teachers to track, log and inspire reading and has features such as being able to loan out books to pupils, create and view pupil reading logs, spot pupil reading milestones and to be able to celebrate them with printable certificates.

For families, it's just as useful: parents/carers and pupils can leave comments and ratings on books, explore personalised book recommendations, set reading reminders, and celebrate reading progress together. And for both teachers and families, it's a much easier way to log reading than a paper diary.