Some children devour books. Others would rather do anything else. A reluctant reader is common, and with the right approach many come to enjoy it.
Find out why
- Reading is hard for them. If decoding words is a struggle, books feel like work.
- The books don't interest them. School books may not match their passions.
- Other things are easier. Screens offer instant entertainment.
What helps
- Let them choose. Comics, graphic novels, joke books, football magazines and non-fiction about their passions all count as reading.
- Keep reading aloud. It keeps the joy of stories alive while their own skills catch up.
- Take turns. You read a page, they read a page.
- Make time and space. A cosy corner and a regular reading slot, with screens off.
- Be a reading role model. Let them see you read for pleasure.
- Visit the library. Free, endless choice, and no pressure to finish a book they don't like.
- Connect books to life: the film, the museum, the trip.
What to avoid
Using reading as a punishment, forcing books they hate, or turning every page into a test.
When to get help
If your child struggles to sound out words, reverses letters a lot after age 7, or reads much more slowly than classmates, talk to the teacher. Early support for reading difficulties such as dyslexia makes a real difference, and they have nothing to do with intelligence.
Read more: reading aloud to your child. For a short daily thinking habit alongside reading, try the Smart Kids Club.