How can I encourage a reluctant reader?

Reluctant kid readers have lots of reasons for avoiding books: learning challenges, emotional blocks, preference for screen activities, or poorly chosen reading material. When reading is stressful or feels like a chore, some kids will resist it.

Perceptive guidance, book choice, and an inviting environment can go a long way. But some strategies backfire, actually increasing resistance, so avoid forcing kids to read, comparing them to others, or punishing them when they don't read.

Here are some ideas to encourage reluctant readers:

• Encourage reading for fun. Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney says that adults sometimes focus so much on getting kids to read they forget about the fun. Give kids lots of choices, make it a fun break from routine, and stay upbeat.
• Set the scene. Make reading approachable with a comforting environment. Brew tea, grab a snack and a blanket, and play soothing instrumental music while reading.
• Go graphic. High-quality graphic novels and comic books draw in readers with illustrations, short-form text, and engrossing storylines.
• Find other formats. Verse novels, short stories, magazines, and video game manuals are great alternatives.
• Seek out sports. For kids who'd rather be active than read, try books like The Academy Series by T.Z. Layton about a kid soccer star, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander about a struggling basketball player, or other great sports books.
• Fact-check. Books of facts, like Guinness World Records or Ripley's Believe It or Not, entice kids who'd rather not tackle longer stories with their wild stats, striking images, and start-anywhere formats.
• Look for reading opportunities. Reading counts no matter the format. Mix in shorter material—trading card games like Pokémon, product labels, game instructions, recipes—with longer stuff.
• Let them decide. You may not love the potty humor in Captain Underpants or the violence in Wings of Fire, but if that's what your kid wants to read, try to put aside your judgment for the greater good.
• Make it accessible. For kids with dyslexia or other learning differences, reading is just harder. Pair audiobooks with the physical book so they can follow along, or use e-readers that let kids adjust text size, look up words, and hear passages read aloud.
• Find characters who reflect your kid's experience. Kids like to see themselves in the stories they read. Look for books with characters and situations that mirror their lives—kids of color or those with divorced parents or readers with learning or physical disabilities. Identifying with a story keeps kids engaged.
• Add kid-friendly podcasts. They help developing readers build vocabulary and listening comprehension and can spark interest in stories without the pressure of decoding print. Play them during chores or car rides when reading a book isn't an option.
• Read aloud. Keep reading to kids as they get older. It helps them enjoy more advanced stories without the stress of decoding.
• Take turns. With a book your kid picked, take turns reading a page or two to each other. Ask questions along the way.
• Read to pets. Have kids read aloud to their dog, cat, or stuffed animals. Non-judgemental listeners make it motivating and build confidence.