Reading is an essential skill that opens many doors in life. However, some children struggle with it, leading to frustration and discouragement ─ this can develop into a negative relationship towards reading. Parents and caregivers can support reluctant readers by providing practical tips to improve their reading abilities. In this blog, we will explore various ways parents can help their children increase their reading skills.

Create a Positive Reading Environment 🌿🌸

The environment where children read plays a significant role in shaping their experience. Parents can make reading enjoyable by creating a cozy, comfortable reading corner. A designated reading area can help children develop a positive association with books. It can be a cushioned area with books and good lighting ─ place it where children can access books easily.

A cozy reading corner with books glows in the light

Encourage Reading Habits 🕰️📆

Developing reading habits takes time and effort, but it’s an investment worth making. Encourage your child to read by setting aside time each day for reading. For younger children, consider reading together or having an adult read to them. For older children, give them a choice of books and let them read independently. Let your child choose reading materials that intrigue them. This way, children will find books that engage them and look forward to reading.

A child enjoys a book, sitting on a bench as autumn leaves fall around them.

Make Reading Interactive 🤹📘

Reading can be interactive and fun. Introduce your child to reading games, such as scavenger hunts, puzzles, and word games. There are many reading materials available on the market that is interactive such as books with pop-up images or lift-the-flap sections. Interactive books help engage reluctant readers and make reading an enjoyable experience. Parents can also ask questions about the story to build comprehension and make connections between the story and the child’s life.

A child engaged in an interactive book with a pop-up tree with birds.

Incorporate Technology 🖥️💻

Technology can support children who struggle with reading. Audio books, eBooks, or reading apps can help reluctant readers build their skills. Audio books are an excellent way to allow children to enjoy books while following the story on the screen with the narrator’s voice. EBooks have features like highlighting text and the ability to enlarge scripts, which may be more appealing to certain children. Reading apps can be customized to meet the reading level of your child and can track progress and provide feedback.

A child reading an eBook on a tablet while the text highlights as the narrator reads aloud.

Celebrate Success 🎉🏆

Celebrate your child’s successes no matter how small they might be. Rewards and incentives can help motivate a child to read. Consider a reading chart where a child earns stickers after completing a book or doing a reading activity. Parents can create a reading challenge with a prize at the end ─ it can be as simple as the child choosing their favorite meal or getting to pick the next book for the family to read together.

A child with a big smile awards a thumbs up as they hold their certificate of achievement in reading.

Conclusion 🎓📢

Helping a reluctant reader will take time, patience, and consistency. Parents and caregivers can use these practical tips to support their children as they improve their reading ability. Remember, every child learns at a different pace, and growth can take time. Parents should stay patient and encourage their child to continue reading and explore different genres in their own time.

A mother and her child sit on the floor, reading a book together with smiles and happiness evident in their faces