Help – What to Do If Your Kid Doesn’t Like Reading
Would you rather read a chapter book or a magazine? As a lifelong book lover, it’s hard for me to imagine not enjoying a good story or losing myself in a book. But as a tutor, I hear it all the time: “My kid doesn’t like reading.” Parents are often frustrated, unsure how to encourage their children without turning reading into a battle. Here’s the good news: most kids who say they don’t like reading simply haven’t found the right kind of material yet. Notice that word yet. Just like finding a favorite food, sport, or hobby, discovering a love for reading takes exposure, experimentation, and patience. Why Your Child Says He or She “Doesn’t Like Reading” If your child doesn’t like reading, it may not be because they dislike stories or learning. Instead, they may have: Only been exposed to one kind of text (like chapter books). Struggled with reading comprehension or fluency. Associated reading with schoolwork or tests instead of fun. Not yet discovered a topic or format that excites them. The truth is, every child can enjoy reading; it’s just a matter of finding the right doorway. Expand the Definition of Reading When we think about “reading,”…