How can parents make reading feel as rewarding as gaming for a reluctant child? 

Parenting Perspective 

For a child accustomed to the instant rewards of gaming, books can feel slow and difficult. To compete with the appeal of a screen, parents can reframe reading as an exciting and immersive adventure. 

Choose Books That Feel Like Entertainment 

The right book is the first and most important step. Start with topics your child is already passionate about, whether that is mystery, space, or football. Visually engaging graphic novels, comic books, or books with short, action-packed chapters feel less intimidating and position reading as a fun escape, not a chore. 

Add Game-Like Rewards and Challenges 

Appeal to the same motivations that games do by introducing a sense of progress and reward. You could create a reading ‘achievement chart’ where they earn points or stickers for each chapter finished, “levelling up” towards a special privilege, like choosing the family meal or getting extra time at the park. 

Turn Reading into a Shared Adventure 

Reading together transforms it from a solitary task into a bonding experience. Use different voices for characters, act out the exciting scenes, and discuss cliffhangers with anticipation: ‘Wow, what do you think will happen next?’ This shared excitement and connection makes reading feel just as engaging and social as a multi-player game. 

With the right books and a little creativity, parents can help a child’s brain rediscover the slower, deeper, and ultimately more satisfying joy of a good story. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam is a faith founded upon the command to read, and the pursuit of knowledge is considered one of the highest forms of worship. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Alaq (96), Verse 1: 

‘Read in the name of your Sustainer, Who has created you.’ 

This was the very first command revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is a powerful reminder for a child that reading is not just a school subject; it is a sacred act that lies at the heart of our faith. It is how we begin to understand our Creator and our purpose. 

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further emphasised that seeking knowledge is a duty. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, 224, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.‘ 

This hadith elevates reading from a simple hobby to a religious responsibility. It teaches children that by opening a book, they are fulfilling a sacred obligation and taking a step on the path to becoming an honourable, intelligent, and successful believer in the sight of Allah. 

By infusing reading with joy and purpose, parents help their children discover that the rewards of knowledge are far more lasting and valuable than any offered by a game.