What do I do when my kid just does not like to read? Parents ask educators this constantly, and honestly, educators ask it of themselves too. Before anything else, it helps to separate two different problems: a child who can read but does not want to, and a child who avoids reading because it is genuinely hard. This post is about the first. If you suspect the second, skip to the end.
Four things that reliably help:
1. Read Yourself
Children mimic what they see from the very beginning of their lives and this continues through school. If your child sees you taking time to read, perhaps instead of turning on the TV or scrolling through your phone, they will see that and want to emulate it. Better yet, create a routine in which everyone in the family carries a book with them everywhere. The doctor’s office waiting room, the backseat on a long trip, or even in the grocery cart at the grocery store are all great opportunities to get into a book.
2. Read With Them
Many people know that this is a good idea to read to your child before they can read themselves, but continuing to read aloud even after a child can read on their own is beneficial as well. Not only does this model what a fluent reader sounds like but it can allow your child to read books of interest that may be beyond their reading level as well as create conversations around books and stories. Reading to your child has many other benefits, too, including larger vocabularies, advanced comprehension skills, and cognitive development.
3. Go to the Library
Set aside time (once a week or twice a month) to take a trip to the library. Prioritizing book selection and time spent around books is important. It also gives your child a variety of books to choose from.
4. Choice
Independent choice is important. It’s okay if they choose to read graphic novels, it’s okay if they choose to read all the books in a series over and over, it’s okay. If a child is allowed to read what they want, they will be more likely to be invested.
A caveat from years of doing this work: none of the above fixes a skill gap. If you have done all of these things and your child still resists reading, the resistance is probably information, not stubbornness. Reading may simply cost them more effort than it costs their peers. A free dyslexia screener or a consultation can tell you whether something is getting in the way.