The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

What can you do if your child hates reading?

  • Written by Genevieve McArthur, Professor at the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy, Australian Catholic University



During Book Week, we will see countless photos on social media of happy kids dressed as characters from their favourite books, while schools hold daily events celebrating the joy of reading.

It’s a fun time for many children, who relish the chance to dress up as Hermione from Harry Potter or Dog Man and talk about books with their friends and teachers.

But what if your child doesn’t like reading?

It’s a growing challenge in many parts of the world. A 2023 survey[1] found more than 50% of eight- to 18-year-olds in the United Kingdom do not enjoy reading in their spare time. In the United States[2], only 14% of 13-year-old students report reading for fun almost every day.

In Australia[3], it’s slightly better – but about 30% of Australian children aged five to 14 say they do not read for pleasure.

If you have a child who’s reluctant to read, what can you do? A good first step is to find out why.

Why is it important for kids to enjoy reading – or at least not hate it?

It might be tempting to give a kid a “pass” if they don’t like reading, but this will not help them in the long term. Most jobs rely on reading and writing – even those that are more practical. For examples, trades involve lots of forms, instructions and certification.

Once a child has been taught to read, they need to practice to get good at it – or at least good enough. This is why liking reading, or at least not hating it, is important. It gets children to practice.

Rows of children's books at a library.
Research suggests many kids do not read for pleasure. Doublelee/Shutterstock, CC BY[4][5]

What’s the reason?

There are several reasons[6] a child may say they hate reading:

  • they might not be as good at reading as other kids in the class, so they form the impression – from their own observations or feedback from others – they are not good at reading

  • this may make them worry or even fear reading, particularly in front of other people

  • so they avoid reading to simply to stop feeling bad.

But even if a child has no problems with reading, they still may not like it.

Perhaps they have other interests (for example, computing, sport or music). Or they can’t see the point of reading (“what does it do for me?”).

Read more: Some kids with reading difficulties can also have reading anxiety – what can parents do?[7]

How can you work out the root cause?

A good place to start is think about what your child says about reading, or what they have said in the past.

Is there a chance they are struggling with reading at school? Do they think they are “bad” at it? Does reading make them feel worried or “switched off”? Do they try to actively avoid reading? Do they find it hard to find something to read that interests them?

If nothing comes into mind, you could try to talk to your child – in a gentle way – to see if any of these things are an issue for them. If you are worried this might end up in an argument, or with them saying “I don’t know, I just hate it”, ask their teacher.

Their teacher should know where your child sits within the class in terms of their reading ability and feelings about reading, and if they try to avoid reading for some reason.

A young girl looks at books on a shelf in a library.
Some children avoid reading because they feel like they are not good at it. JGA/ Shutterstock, CC BY[8][9]

A second opinion?

If you need another opinion, you may wish to take your child to a reading specialist. Before you book a session, ask if they can assess your child’s confidence, engagement and emotions around reading as well as their skills. These all play a role[10] in how well your child reads and how much they enjoy reading.

Also make sure the specialist can provide recommendations about next steps based on the results, rather than give you a result with no further action.

What can you do at home?

First, help your child find books or articles on topics that genuinely interest them[11]. Perhaps take them to the local library or bookshop so they can choose their own book. Or search through your local street libraries[12] together on a walk. Show an interest in their interests.

Second, help your child find a meaningful goal[13] for their reading. Are they determined to read all the books in a series? Or do they have more practical goals (“I need to learn how to fix my bike”)? Show an interest in how they are tracking towards their goal.

Third, support your child’s reading self-efficacy[14], which is their perception they can meet their reading goals. Try to avoid showing disappointment if their progress is slow. Take an interest in what they are learning through their reading.

Two mums and a young child read together. They are surrounded by fairy lights.
Encourage your child to read something on a topic they are interested in. Anna Stills/Shutterstock, CC BY[15][16]

A final consideration

At some point, you might find your child is discouraged because they have chosen a text that is too easy (which is boring) or too hard (which is demoralising).

In the first case, you can say their reading is “far too good for this book, so let’s find something more interesting tomorrow”.

In the second case, you can offer to help them read every second page, or the bits they feel they cannot manage. That way you can get through the book together.

In time, you will both learn how to find texts that are not too easy and not too hard.

References

  1. ^ survey (literacytrust.org.uk)
  2. ^ United States (www.nationsreportcard.gov)
  3. ^ Australia (australiareads.org.au)
  4. ^ Doublelee/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  5. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  6. ^ several reasons (www.tandfonline.com)
  7. ^ Some kids with reading difficulties can also have reading anxiety – what can parents do? (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ JGA/ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  9. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  10. ^ all play a role (link.springer.com)
  11. ^ genuinely interest them (link.springer.com)
  12. ^ street libraries (streetlibrary.org.au)
  13. ^ meaningful goal (link.springer.com)
  14. ^ reading self-efficacy (link.springer.com)
  15. ^ Anna Stills/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  16. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/what-can-you-do-if-your-child-hates-reading-236494

Times Magazine

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

The Times Features

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifes...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-b...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value ...

Smart Ways to Earn Passive Income from Real Estate

Imagine making money without doing much work. You get paid even while you sleep, travel, or do fun things. This is called passive income. Indeed, real estate has great ways to do...