Learning at home

How to get your child to read

How to turn reading from a chore into a habit: choice, routine, reading together, and what to do with a reluctant reader.

Updated 4 min read By the AI Tutor Vault team, written with the help of an AI assistant

On this page
  1. Why some children don’t want to read
  2. Let them choose
  3. Make it a small daily habit
  4. Keep reading aloud together
  5. Talk about books, don’t test them
  6. Be a reading role model
  7. Ideas for reluctant readers
  8. By age
  9. Common mistakes
  10. Frequently asked questions
  11. Next steps

Children read more when reading feels like a choice, not a chore. Let them pick what they read — including comics, magazines and non-fiction — make reading a small daily habit, keep reading aloud together for longer than you think, and show them that you read too. Here’s how, with ideas for reluctant readers of every age.

Why some children don’t want to read

  • It’s hard for them. If reading is slow and effortful, it isn’t enjoyable.
  • The books don’t interest them. School-set books aren’t always what a child would choose.
  • Screens are easier. Reading has strong competition.
  • It feels like homework. Logs and questions can drain the joy.

If reading seems genuinely difficult — lots of guessing, very slow progress, avoiding reading aloud — talk to the teacher. Early support makes a big difference.

Let them choose

All reading counts: comics, graphic novels, joke books, magazines, sports facts, gaming guides, recipes, non-fiction about their favourite animal. Take them to the library and let them pick freely. Interest is the strongest motivation.

Make it a small daily habit

  • Ten to twenty minutes a day, at a regular time — bedtime works for many families.
  • Books everywhere: in the car, the bathroom, by the bed.
  • Audiobooks count as reading experience and can rekindle interest in stories.

Keep reading aloud together

Many parents stop reading aloud once children can read alone. Keep going. Reading aloud lets children enjoy books above their own reading level, hear expressive reading and build vocabulary. Take turns: you read a page, they read a page.

Talk about books, don’t test them

Swap quiz questions for genuine conversation: “What do you think will happen?” “Would you be friends with this character?” Our guide to reading comprehension at home has more questions that build understanding without feeling like a test.

Be a reading role model

Children copy what they see. Let them see you reading — a book, a newspaper, anything — and talk about what you’re enjoying.

Ideas for reluctant readers

  • Series: once they like a character, the next book sells itself.
  • Short chapters and books with lots of pictures.
  • Books linked to films or games they love.
  • Non-fiction about their passions.
  • Reading to a younger sibling or a pet — no judgement.
  • A reading den — a special cosy corner.

By age

  • 5–7: picture books, phonics books from school, lots of reading aloud.
  • 8–10: early chapter books, series, comics; keep reading aloud.
  • 11–13: let them follow their interests; audiobooks for long books.
  • Teens: respect their choices; talk about books and articles as equals.

Common mistakes

  • Only allowing “proper” books.
  • Using reading as a punishment.
  • Stopping reading aloud too early.
  • Constant questioning after every chapter.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my child to read more?

Let them choose what they read, make it a short daily habit, keep reading aloud together, and let them see you reading.

Do comics and graphic novels count as reading?

Yes. They build vocabulary, comprehension and enjoyment, and often lead to other books.

Should I force my child to read?

A regular reading time is fine, but forcing particular books usually backfires. Focus on choice and enjoyment.

What if my child is behind in reading?

Talk to the teacher about where they are and how to help. Read together daily and use books at a comfortable level.

Next steps

This weekend, visit the library and let your child choose freely. Set a regular reading time and read aloud together, even if they can read alone. For spelling support, see how to help your child with spelling.

Subject guides How to help your child with reading comprehension at home When they “read it” but can’t tell you what happened: the questions to ask before, during and after reading, by age. Learning at home How to help your child with spelling Why copying words out doesn’t work, the methods that do, and a weekly routine for spelling tests. Learning at home Fun learning activities for kids at home Thirty low-cost activities that build reading, maths, science and thinking skills — with almost no preparation. School life and motivation Questions to ask your child about school Better questions than “how was school?” — for little ones, tweens and teens — and the timing that actually gets them talking.