Start by measuring your child's current reading stamina. Time how long they can read comfortably without losing focus or getting restless—5 minutes? 10? 20? Don't judge, just record it. That's the baseline. Discuss why building reading stamina matters: longer books become accessible, school assignments get easier, comprehension improves, and stories get more enjoyable. Together, set a realistic goal: if they can read 10 minutes now, aim for 20 minutes in three weeks. If they can do 15, shoot for 30. Write the goal down and post it where they'll see it daily. Explain that building reading stamina is like building athletic endurance—you start small and gradually increase. Celebrate that they're about to level up their reading skills.

Set up a dedicated reading space that minimizes distractions and maximizes focus. Choose a quiet spot—cozy chair, bedroom corner, library nook—away from TV, loud siblings, and foot traffic. Make it inviting: good lighting (natural light or a reading lamp, not dim or harsh), comfortable seating (not so comfy they fall asleep, not so stiff they squirm), and accessible books (shelf or basket nearby so they don't have to hunt). Remove digital distractions: phones off or in another room, no tablets unless they're using an e-reader for this purpose. Add cozy touches: pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, bookmark. Explain that athletes train in the right environment (gym, field), and readers need the right space too. Practice a quick reading session here to test it: 'Does this feel good? Do you need anything adjusted?' Tweak as needed.

Now the training begins. Every day, your child reads in their space for a set time. Start at baseline or slightly above: if baseline is 10 minutes, start practice at 12 minutes. Use a timer. When it goes off, they can stop—no pressure to keep going. After 3-5 days of success at that duration, increase by 2-5 minutes. Keep stepping up every few days as long as they're comfortable. If they struggle (can't focus, restless, frustrated), hold at the current time for a few more days before increasing. The key is consistency: daily practice, same time if possible (after school, before bed), same space. If they miss a day, no guilt—just resume the next day. Track progress on a chart: fill in a square for each successful reading session, with minutes noted. Celebrate streaks: 'Five days in a row—you're building the habit!'

As your child progresses, mark milestones: 'You just read for 20 minutes—that's double your baseline!' Celebrate these wins: special dessert, extra screen time, praise in front of family, sticker on the chart. After each reading session (or every few days), briefly discuss what they read: 'What happened in the chapter today? Who's your favorite character so far? What do you think will happen next?' This reinforces comprehension and makes reading social instead of solitary. Talking about books deepens engagement and makes them want to keep reading. If they're struggling with a book (too hard, boring, doesn't match their interest), give permission to switch. Persistence doesn't mean suffering through a bad book—it means staying engaged with reading in general. Help them choose the next book: visit the library, browse online reviews, ask teachers for recommendations. Keep the momentum going.

After 2-3 weeks, reassess: time your child reading without telling them, then reveal it. 'You just read 28 minutes without even noticing!' Compare to the baseline: 'You started at 10 minutes and now you're nearly triple that—incredible growth!' Discuss how it feels: 'Is reading easier now? Do you get lost in books more? Are you finishing books you would've given up on before?' Celebrate the achievement: they've built real, measurable reading stamina. Discuss next steps: do they want to tackle longer books, harder books, or just keep reading for fun? Commit to maintaining the habit—don't let the practice stop now that the challenge is over. Set a new baseline expectation: 'From now on, you read at least 20 minutes a day—that's your new normal.' Make it part of the routine, like brushing teeth. Explain that reading stamina is use-it-or-lose-it; keep practicing to maintain the skill. Congratulate them on becoming a stronger, more capable reader.