Figuring out how to get a child to read when they refuse can feel impossible. To help, I’ve listed the most effective ways to get any child excited about reading!

Getting a child to open a book and read when they refuse can feel like an exercise in futility. More often than not they’ll respond with “I hate reading.” And while we all wish our children would love reading, it doesn’t always work out that way.

But, what they’re really saying is that they didn’t like what they read in the past. They either found it confusing or boring—or both. So it’s natural for them to think ‘they hate’ ALL reading – and refuse to read.

Sadly, schools don’t help much either. The approach to teaching reading is sometimes dry and sterile. And worse, the reading material is dull, outdated, or not suited to the reader. If children don’t have other sources of inspiration to love reading, they likely will end up hating it. And it’s not their fault if they’re reluctant to read.

Learn how reading for fun can help improve grades and academic performance!

So, what to do? Fortunately, it’s never too late to show a child how to love reading. And by child, I mean anyone younger than 99 years. Below you’ll find five effective ways, that if combined with time and patience, will bring your refusing reader around and have them excited to read.

Before you get started, I need to remind you that this process will take time. How much time? Well, that depends on your reluctant reader. But, I promise that your investment will pay high dividends!

#1. Find a book they love

This might seem obvious, but it’s not. Finding a book a reluctant reader loves is not easy. And, you may not find it on the first try – in fact, it may mean various trips to the library. But those trips will be worth the effort because once you find the book, your uphill battle will be 1000% easier.

Here are some things to remember:

• Reading a book a child loves means that they will associate reading with fun and with positive feelings.
• It’s important to choose a book that is easy to read and has a high engagement. Hi-lo books (high interest/ low reading level) fall into this category and are a perfect book to hook children of any age who refuse to read.
• Easy-to-read books help reluctant readers feel confident and successful in their reading, which motivates them to read more.
• Be open to different genres. Non-readers may not be familiar with all the options available to them from sports and mysteries to historical fiction and science.
• Guide them towards books that connect them to something they already love. This can be a hobby, a topic, a sport, or even a certain toy. This way they connect reading with something they already enjoy.

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#2. Establish a “Reading Time” at home

This is a time when everyone (or everyone who can) at home sits down to read. Even if it’s only for 10-20 minutes. Reading time can be every day, every other day, or 2-3 times a week. The important thing is to set a schedule (and stick to it!). This sends three key messages to the reluctant reader:

• Reading is important. It must be since it’s scheduled and everyone is reading.
• People they care about, read. This is known as modeling behavior that you want your child to emulate. When children see parents, siblings, and friends reading, then they are more likely to read.
• Reading is a community activity – even though it is something we do on our own.

This last message is important. Children sometimes can feel that reading is isolating. But if family members or friends sit together to read, they feel communal support.

#3. Establish the reading habit

While this is related to #2, it’s also much more. Like almost anything in life, success at reading needs to be a habit. This means not sidelining reading for when there’s nothing else to do. Rather, it’s important to make reading part of daily life.

Establishing a reading habit means reading every day. But, you want to start slow. Maybe even 5-10 minutes if that is all the time your child can focus. And, make sure it’s a fun book they want to read!!

This also normalizes reading by making it a natural, fun part of life. While they may push back at first, soon your child will be reading on their own, and love it!

#4. Language and Behavior: Be positive!

The language we use around reading sends powerful messages to children. Any anxiety or worry you have about a child’s reading level or habits can come across in how you speak about it. Telling a child they “need,” “have,” or “should” read, tells reluctant readers that reading is work.

It also tells them that reading is a problem to be solved vs. a fun thing they get to do.

Change that! Talk about reading the way you talk about a party – as something special. Be excited about your own reading.

Here are some more ideas:

• Make going to the library or bookstore fun! Be excited about finding new books and stories to read. Tie it in with something else special, like stopping for ice cream.
• Ask about their reading. Encourage your child to tell you about what they just read. And listen. Tell them about your book. Sharing makes reading doubly exciting!
• Listen carefully to how your child talks about books and reading. There might be an issue that is causing frustration or a sense of failure. If the language they use is negative, try to figure out where it’s coming from. If it’s coming from school work, talk to their teacher to get a better understanding of what’s happening in the classroom and how you can support your child’s relationship with reading.

#5. Don’t discount listening to audiobooks

Children who refuse to read still love stories. The process of becoming a proficient reader takes time. But listening to stories is easy. Supplementing (not replacing) reading with listening to audiobooks can keep your child connected to the story they’re reading, and lessen frustration. Here are some ways to incorporate audiobooks into your reading strategy:

• Mix it up! Mix reading at home with listening in the car or when you’re out and about. If your child is engaged with the story they’re reading, keep them hooked with the audio version.
• Read and Listen at the same time. This is a strategy that worked well for me in the classroom. For reluctant and slow readers or students with a reading difference (like dyslexia), this worked wonderfully. They would read along while listening to the book. This strengthens basic decoding skills and increases comprehension. And, it improves confidence.
• Listen and start reading. This is a backward strategy best used for the stubborn refuser. The idea is to get them hooked with an audiobook (which accesses the creative center of the brain) and lead them to read to find out what happens next. A word of caution: go slow here. Too fast and you can scare your reader away.

I’m a firm believer that every child loves to read. And if they don’t it’s because they haven’t found the right book yet. I used the above strategies to great success in the classroom. So, I am certain that they will work for you too.

Happy reading!

Have any other great ideas to get kids to read? Let me know and contact me here!