Phonics and reading
My child doesn't like reading: 10 ways to help a reluctant reader
Most children who say they don't like reading are telling you that reading feels hard, boring or like a test, not that they dislike stories. The way to help is to make reading easier and more enjoyable: choose books at the right level about things your child loves, keep reading aloud together, and take the pressure off. The ten ideas below are simple to try at home, and most cost nothing.
- By CurioKids teamHow we write our guides
- Published
- Updated
- 7 min read
Key takeaways
- Reluctance usually comes from reading feeling hard, dull or pressured, so start by finding out which it is.
- If your child stumbles on several words on a page, the book is too hard for reading alone; save it for reading together.
- Any reading counts: comics, joke books, fact books, recipes and game instructions all build skill and confidence.
- Keep reading aloud to your child, even once they can read; it builds vocabulary and keeps stories fun.
- Talk to the teacher if your child avoids reading because decoding words is still a real struggle.
On this page
Why do some children avoid reading?
Usually because reading feels like hard work, or because it hasn't yet connected with anything they enjoy. A child who still has to sound out many words gets tired quickly, and a story told slowly, one word at a time, isn't much fun. Others can read well but haven't found books that grab them, or link reading with tests, reading logs and being corrected.
It helps to watch your child read for a few minutes and ask yourself which it is. Do they stop and struggle on lots of words? Do they read the words but lose the thread of the story? Or do they read fine but would simply rather do something else? Each needs a slightly different kind of help.
Is the book too hard?
Often, yes. A quick check: ask your child to read a page aloud. If they stumble on more than a handful of words, or have to sound out most of them, the book is too hard to enjoy alone. Save it for reading together and find something easier for them to read by themselves.
Easy books are not a step backwards. Reading something comfortable lets your child read smoothly, follow the story and finish the book, which is exactly what builds confidence. If your child reads accurately but slowly, re-reading favourite books is great practice too.
Which books suit a reluctant reader?
The right book is one your child wants to pick up. Start with their interests rather than with what you think they should read. Good options include:
- Comics and graphic novels. The pictures carry part of the story, so there's less text to tackle at once.
- Fact books. Dinosaurs, football, space, animals or vehicles: many children prefer facts to stories.
- Joke and riddle books. Short, funny and made for reading aloud to someone else.
- Series books. Once a child likes one book, the familiar characters make the next one easier.
- Short chapter books with lots of pictures, for children ready to move on from picture books.
- Real-world reading. Recipes, game instructions, menus, signs and messages from family.
If your family speaks more than one language, books in your home language count too. A child who loves stories in Chinese, Malay or Tamil is building the habit of reading for pleasure, and that habit carries over to English. Dual-language books, with both languages on the page, can be a good bridge.
Does reading aloud still help?
Yes, at every age. When you read aloud, your child enjoys stories that are above their own reading level, hears new words used in context, and learns what fluent, expressive reading sounds like. It also keeps reading linked with warmth and fun rather than effort. Many families keep a bedtime story going well into the primary years, and older children often enjoy taking turns: you read a page, they read a page.
What are 10 ways to help a reluctant reader?
Pick two or three of these to start with, rather than all ten at once.
1. Let your child choose
Visit a library or bookshop and let your child pick, even if their choice seems too easy or not “proper” reading. Choice gives children ownership, and a book they chose is a book they're more likely to open.
2. Follow their interests
If your child loves football, find football books, magazines and player stories. A strong interest carries a child through words they would otherwise give up on.
3. Keep sessions short
Ten relaxed minutes beats a long battle. Stop while it's still going well, so next time starts on a good note.
4. Take turns reading
Share the reading: alternate pages, or you read the narration and your child reads what one character says. It halves the effort and keeps the story moving.
5. Re-read favourites
Reading the same book again feels easy, and that ease is the point. Familiar books build fluency and remind your child that they can read.
6. Make it social
Let your child read to a younger sibling, a grandparent on a video call or even a pet. Reading to an audience feels like a job worth doing.
7. Stop correcting every word
If a mistake doesn't change the meaning, let it go. When it does, pause and ask, “Does that make sense?” Constant correction turns reading into a test.
8. Use reading in daily life
Ask your child to read the shopping list, a recipe, the instructions for a new game or a sign on the road. Reading for a real purpose doesn't feel like homework.
9. Be a reader yourself
Children notice what adults do. Let them see you reading books, newspapers or anything else, and talk about what you've read.
10. Praise effort, not speed
Notice the work: “You sounded out that long word all by yourself!” Avoid comparing your child with siblings or classmates, and never use reading as a punishment.
When should I talk to the teacher?
Talk to your child's teacher if reading is still a real struggle after a few months of relaxed practice, if your child gets very upset or anxious about it, or if they read the words but seem to understand very little. Also mention it if your child finds it hard to remember letter sounds, reverses many letters well beyond the early years, or avoids writing as well as reading. The teacher can tell you how your child reads in class and what the school can offer. If understanding is the main issue, our guide on helping a child who reads but doesn't understand may help.
How can CurioKids lessons help a reluctant reader?
CurioKids lessons are live and 1-to-1 for children aged 4–12, 25 minutes each, with a real teacher, lesson slides and games in our online classroom. After lessons, your child's teacher gives feedback, so you know what to practise at home. Read about what phonics is, see our levels, or book a free first lesson from our Singapore or Malaysia page.
Frequently asked questions
Should I force my child to read every day?
Regular reading helps, but forcing it usually backfires. Aim for a short, relaxed daily routine, such as a bedtime story where your child reads a page or two, and let them choose what to read whenever possible.
Do comics and graphic novels count as reading?
Yes. Comics and graphic novels have real vocabulary, dialogue and plot, and the pictures help children follow the story. Many reluctant readers start with comics and move on to other books once they are more confident.
My child only wants to read the same book again and again. Is that okay?
Yes. Re-reading builds fluency and confidence, and children often notice new details each time. Keep the favourite going and offer a new book alongside it, ideally one in the same series or about the same topic.
Are audiobooks cheating?
No. Audiobooks let children enjoy stories above their reading level and build vocabulary and listening skills. They work well alongside, not instead of, reading printed books, and following along in the print version is a good bonus.