A common mistake some parents and teachers make is pushing reading on a child. We all know the best way to improve reading skills is simply to read, but for some kids that is easier said than done. Some children haven’t found the joy in reading yet, so they would rather spend their time elsewhere. Maybe they struggle with reading, have dyslexia, or would just rather do something else. Learning how to make reading enjoyable, instead of something to dread, can make all the difference.
When reading feels like a chore, children often read less than they need to strengthen their skills, and that is usually where kids start to fall behind their peers. The best advice for encouraging your child to read is to pull rather than push. When you pull your child in, you spark their interest and make reading more appealing. When you push, reading tends to feel like a chore. Below are a few ways to pull your child into reading, along with some things to avoid.
3 Things You Can Do to Make Reading Enjoyable
1. Let Them Choose
Offer a variety of options, whether from your own shelves or a trip to the library. You know your child better than anyone, so consider their interests and guide them toward books they are likely to enjoy. They might love a comic strip, graphic novel, or magazine, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box. A school or public librarian can also help you find titles that match your child’s interests and reading level.
2. Get Siblings Involved
It can be fun and exciting for a child to take charge of reading to a younger sibling. They watch you read bedtime stories to the family, and getting to pick the story and read to everyone before bed can feel like a huge deal.
3. Lead by Example
Children look up to their parents, whether it’s wearing mom’s makeup or dad’s boots, and reading is no different. If they see the adults in their life reading for fun, it can encourage them to try it too. You could even pick a book to read aloud together as a family.
3 Things to Avoid So You Don’t Push Reading on Your Child
1. Using Reading as a Threat or Bargaining Chip
Avoid using reading as a threat (“If you don’t finish your dinner, you have to read for 30 minutes”) or a bargaining chip (“If you read for 30 minutes, you can watch TV”). Both approaches frame reading as something negative instead of something to enjoy.
2. Choosing Books at the Wrong Level
It matters that books match your child’s skills. A book that is too simple can feel boring, while one that is too difficult can feel frustrating and discouraging.
3. Over-Correcting Mistakes
Reading should feel fun and relaxing, which is hard to maintain if a child is constantly interrupted and corrected. Helping your child read accurately and fluently is important, but it’s best done during natural pauses and not mid-sentence. Use your judgment on how many corrections your child can handle in one sitting without feeling discouraged.
Make Reading Enjoyable With a Monthly Reading Challenge
A reading challenge can add some fun, and March, which is National Reading Month, is a great time to try one. Busy schedules and end-of-day energy levels can get in the way of reading with your child, but even 20 minutes a day can help build skills.
To motivate your child, try a calendar with a reading activity to complete each day. Activities like reading in a tent with a flashlight, or reading jokes to a friend, can make reading feel like play. Rewards can also motivate children, so consider a small reward at home for finishing the daily activity, such as choosing the next book or picking a family movie night.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make reading enjoyable for a child who says they hate it?
Start by letting them choose what to read, even if it is a comic book or a magazine. Also, keep sessions short and low-pressure, and read together so it feels like time with you and not a task.
Should I reward my child for reading?
Small rewards can help, but avoid turning reading into a bargaining chip. Try rewards that are connected to reading, like choosing a new book or a special reading spot.
When should I be concerned that it’s more than dislike?
If your child avoids reading, is frustrated even with easy books, or isn’t progressing, an evaluation can help. Dislike of reading is sometimes a sign of a reading difficulty like dyslexia. Our post on a child struggling with reading explains what to look for.
How ETLC Can Help
For more ways to build a love of reading, see our post on books for pre-reading skills. If you have questions about your child’s reading development, our team is here to help. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about dyslexia and reading therapy at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
You may also find these pages helpful:
- Reading the Same Book Repeatedly
- Audiobooks for Struggling Readers
- How to Choose a Book for Your Child: 6 Helpful Tips
About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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