Make Reading Enjoyable: Pull, Don’t Push

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’s easier said than done. Some children haven’t found the joy in reading yet, so they’d rather spend their time elsewhere. Maybe they’re struggling with reading, have dyslexia, or would just rather do something else. Learning how to make reading enjoyable, rather than 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’s usually where we start to see kids 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’re sparking their interest and making reading more appealing. When you push reading on a child, it tends to feel like a chore instead, making it even less appealing. Below are a few ways to pull your child into reading, along with some things to avoid.

3 Things You Can Do to Pull Your Child Into Reading

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’re likely to enjoy. They might love a comic strip, graphic novel, or magazine, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. The Scholastic Book Wizard 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 to them.

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 genuinely encourage them to want 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 rather than something to enjoy.

2. Choosing Books That Are at the Wrong Level

Giving your child books at an appropriate level for their skills matters. A book that’s too simple can feel boring, while one that’s 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 rather than mid-sentence interruptions. Use your judgment on how many corrections your child can handle in one sitting without feeling discouraged.

We’re Here to Help

For more ways to build a love of reading, check out our post on books for pre-reading skills. If you have questions about your child’s reading development, contact our team at ETLC.