How to Support a 10-Year-Old Struggling with Reading Blocks

by Skuli | Available on AppStore + GooglePlay

31 May 2025 • 4 min read

“I See the Words, But They Don't Make Sense”

These were the words whispered by a 10-year-old boy as he closed his book in frustration. His mother, sitting beside him at the kitchen table, had seen this scene play out many times—with math, with science, even with jokes in comic books. But reading was the most painful. "He used to love bedtime stories," she said, teary-eyed. "Now he won’t even pick up a book."

If this story feels like your own, you're not alone. Many parents of children aged 10 find themselves facing an invisible wall when it comes to reading. And sometimes, despite your most loving efforts, nothing seems to help. What’s worse—it can affect your child’s confidence in every area of school and life.

Understanding the Reading Block

First, let’s clear up a common myth: if your child struggles with reading at age 10, it doesn't mean they lack intelligence or aren’t trying hard enough. Often, it’s the opposite—they're trying so hard to hide their struggle that they seem disengaged. Reading blocks can stem from a range of issues: undiagnosed dyslexia, attention challenges, language processing delays, or even a series of early discouraging experiences that led to a quiet refusal to keep trying.

It’s also worth remembering that every reading journey is deeply personal. Some children sprint ahead early, while others move at a steady, private pace. If your child is stuck, the goal isn’t to push harder, but to create space where their confidence can reset.

Why Pressure Doesn't Work (and What to Try Instead)

You may have already tried extra reading time, academic support, or bribes and rewards. Maybe you’ve watched other 10-year-olds plow through novels with envy and growing worry. But pressuring a child who’s stuck in reading often backfires. Shame settles in—quiet and heavy—and soon, the very idea of a book becomes the enemy.

Instead of doubling down, take a surprising approach: slow down, and look sideways.

For example, Marie, a mom of three, noticed her son was obsessed with geography but froze during reading assignments. Rather than forcing him through another worksheet, she introduced short, audio-based stories around world cultures. He began asking questions—curious, unpressured—and day by day, his verbal vocabulary bloomed. Eventually, he circled back to print, reading along with the audio, and later requesting books about volcanoes. Reading wasn’t reintroduced as a subject to conquer, but as a tool to go deeper into what he loved.

If your child learns better by listening, you might try turning written lessons into audio—that way, they'll still engage with reading content, but through a format that feels safe and accessible. (In fact, some learning tools, like Skuli, can even convert school materials into personalized audio adventures where your child becomes the hero of the story, using their first name. This not only helps with engagement, but also brings motivation back into the equation.)

Find the Cracks Without Breaking the Spirit

Helping a struggling reader isn’t about hunting down what’s “wrong,” but uncovering what’s possible. Start by tuning in to their strengths. Is your child a master storyteller? Do they love building things or role-playing? These are literacy skills in disguise—narrative thinking, spatial reasoning, empathy. Shine a flashlight on what they do well, not only where they falter.

And don’t go it alone. If the blocks persist over time, it may be worth considering outside evaluations—not with the goal of labeling, but of illuminating the path forward. Teachers, literacy specialists, and psychologists have tools that can identify subtle learning differences and adapt strategies to fit your child’s unique brain.

Meanwhile, build consistency without pressure. Create small rituals where reading becomes a shared (and unstressful) time—ten minutes with a graphic novel, comic strips over breakfast, or following a recipe together. Keep sessions bite-sized and full of connection, not correction.

When School Adds to the Stress

School can often feel like a place where reading difficulties are magnified. Timed assessments, oral reading in front of classmates, and heavy homework loads can stir anxiety that leaks into home life.

If your child is shutting down, it might be time to step in gently. Read our guide on how to support a 10-year-old at school without adding pressure. Liaise with their teacher to make sure they're being assessed in compassionate ways—and that they’re not quietly falling behind while trying to stay invisible.

Sometimes, reluctance to read isn’t even about the words on the page—it’s about fear. One 10-year-old girl confided that she wouldn’t read aloud because classmates always laughed when she stumbled. She preferred appearing lazy over looking slow. When her teacher adjusted expectations and her parents offered new ways to learn quietly at home, her interest slowly resurfaced. She just needed safety, not speed.

Believe in Slow Progress

Supporting a child through a reading block takes patience and presence—not magical solutions. It’s not about overnight breakthroughs, but tiny moments of reconnection: when a child sounds out a tricky word without fear, asks you to read a page again, or recites a line from a beloved audiobook in the car.

If you're not sure how to help your child structure their learning without burnout, read about how to help them organize their study time—especially when reading feels like a hurdle, not a habit.

Most importantly, stay in relationship with the child, not just the skills. Let them know, with your tone, your time, and your trust, that they aren’t broken. They are building—and books will someday be part of that story.