My Kid Doesn’t Like To Read – Making ELA Engaging

By Emma Guy

As parents and educators, it can be hard to watch your learner struggle with reading, especially if you know they’re capable of it but just don’t want to. Maybe you’ve tried picking out fun books for their free time or even rewarding them for reading on their own. But no matter what you do, they just don’t seem to enjoy reading. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! 

It’s very common for children to associate reading with school, seeing it as work or a chore. If students only read books while learning, it’s harder to make it a fun activity they seek out. So, how do you get their interest and make reading for pleasure actually fun? Here are some tips that might turn reluctant readers into bookworms.

Follow Their Lead

Let kids choose what they read.

Whether it’s graphic novels, magazines, or joke books, letting kids read what interests them will encourage them to choose the activity and keep reading. As adults, we often have an idea of what we want our children to read, and it’s easy to think they should be reading “grade-level” texts. But if you force them to read something they don’t want to, they may never see reading as fun. 

Even books you might consider below their level are valuable. 

A comic book with only a few words on a page is building their skills of inferring through images. The baseball picture book they’ve read a thousand times is strengthening their background knowledge and supporting their fluency. All reading is valuable. One of the best ways to foster ownership over reading is to let kids read what they enjoy. 

Engage with them about what they’re reading.

Once you’ve got a sense of what your learner enjoys, don’t stop there! One great way to do this is to simply ask questions. Showing genuine interest in what they’re reading invites them into an interactive process. You can try: 

• Starting a conversation on what the book is about and what their favorite parts are.
  • If they seem eager to talk about it, keep listening! 
• Suggesting extension activities that will keep them engaged with the material.
  • For example, with a science fiction book about robots, give them opportunities to explore more. Build robots from recycled materials, learn about coding, or take a trip to the local science museum. 

The opportunities are endless! If your learner shows interest in something, run with it.

Create a Reading Routine (And Model It!)

In a world full of screens and distractions it’s not surprising that kids might prefer to do almost anything than pick up a book. With a routine and a dedicated, distraction-free time to read, you can set them up for success. One time that works well for a lot of families is before bed. As your family winds down, consider making this reading time for everyone.

Let your learner see other family members reading for enjoyment. 

An important part of a reading routine is seeing reading modeled by adults. Like with many other things, children love to follow in the footsteps of the people they look up to. If you model reading and participate with them, they’ll likely want to follow the routine too. Make it a family affair, and remember to let them pick what you read together and what they read on their own! 

One of the best ways to foster a love of reading is to read aloud to your learner. 

Even if they’re older and independently reading, reading together is great for modeling fluency and exposing them to stories that may be above their independent reading level. It’s also a great way to work in engaging conversations about what you’re reading. Your routine might even have solo reading time at one point and read-aloud time at another. You may have to experiment to find what works naturally for your family’s routine.

Make Text Available

One huge barrier to children reading for enjoyment is a lack of access to books they’re interested in. Even if the books from your own childhood line your shelves, they may not spark your learner’s interest. Luckily, books are becoming more and more accessible to families, and many options are free. 

Take trips to the public library and let students explore the shelves to see  the abundance of books all within their grasp. Most libraries also have online catalogs of ebooks and audiobooks that just need a library card. Kids are more likely to read for fun with easy access to books. 

It’s also important to remember that reading doesn’t just happen within books. Try sparking an interest through magazines and online articles as well. There are many websites and magazines with nonfiction texts for children. These are easy entry points for reluctant readers since they  usually have vibrant pictures, fun text features, and sometimes even games or videos to extend learning. 

This tip is vital for helping your student naturally continue their reading routine on their own. If there aren’t books they like nearby, they can’t reach for one when the mood strikes. In text-rich environments, you increase the chance they read in their free time.

As you try these ideas, keep in mind that change usually happens in small steps. You don’t need your child to love chapter books overnight for real progress. “Liking to read” doesn’t always look how we expect. Some kids become lifelong readers because of graphic novels. Others love audiobooks, manuals, or sports articles. Your goal isn’t to force a specific kind of reading but to help your child build a positive relationship with words and stories. The more reading feels like theirs, the more likely it is to stick.

How To Make Reading Fun for Kids With Miacademy

If your child is just learning to read or is finishing chapter books left and right, Miacademy is a great way to level up their reading skills in an engaging, creative way! 

Our Learn to Read courses build early fluency skills in a way that feels natural, encouraging curiosity through songs, games, and creative storytelling. For older students, our Reading Comprehension courses have a wide variety of readings in every genre. With adjustable difficulty levels and interactive activities, Miacademy makes reading fun for struggling readers and bookworms alike.

Want to see how Miacademy can help your young reader? Connect with our friendly customer service team or explore our award-winning reading curriculum firsthand with our $1.99 trial!