What Are the Best Ways to Motivate a Child Who Doesn’t Like to Read

Understanding Where the Resistance Comes From

If you have a school-age child who groans at the sight of a book, you're not alone. Many children between the ages of 6 and 12 go through periods where reading feels more like a chore than a joy. You may wonder: Is it laziness? Attention span? Lack of practice? But in most cases, the reluctance to read reflects a deeper emotional or educational roadblock—one that, with patience and creativity, can be softened.

Reading is not just decoding letters; it’s imagining, inferring, and sometimes wrestling with information. This can be overwhelming—especially for kids still building their confidence. If your child has ever said, “This is too hard!”, you may want to revisit this guide on handling frustration. It’s not just about making reading easier—it’s about making it matter to them.

Start With Their World—Not Yours

A parent recently told me, 'He’ll read Minecraft manuals cover to cover, but won’t touch his school reading log.' This isn’t avoidance—it’s personal preference, plain and simple. And preference is the foot in the door.

The key is to treat any reading—yes, even video game instructions—as valid. If your child is interested in facts about snakes, comic books, or sports statistics, lean into that. Let their curiosity guide the experience rather than leading them directly toward “what they should be reading.” Over time, their tastes will likely broaden. But if you plant the seed of enjoyment now, they’ll seek out other genres on their own.

The Power of Story—Especially When They're the Hero

Sometimes it’s not that a child hates reading—it’s that they haven’t yet met a story that grabs them. When you give them a story where they’re inside the adventure, the rules change. That’s part of what makes personalized experiences so powerful. For some kids, printed pages just aren’t engaging enough. If that’s your child, consider integrating audio adventures where your child’s name and preferences are part of the journey. (The Sculi App, for example, allows you to transform lessons into customized audio adventures that make your child the main character.) Immersion makes children care. Caring makes them finish the story.

Make Reading a Shared, Not Solitary, Experience

Children often associate reading with isolation. Imagine being asked to sit quietly, by yourself, and do something you’re not very good at. That wouldn’t feel fun for you either.

Try turning reading into a social experience:

• Read aloud together—even if your child is older. Take turns reading pages, or alternate between you reading one day and them the next.
• Let your child read to younger siblings or even to a pet. The audience makes it meaningful and reduces pressure.
• Start a casual family "reading time," where everyone (including you) reads their own books at the same time. The shared quiet transforms it into a family ritual.

These small shifts create emotional safety. When kids don’t feel alone in the process, their resistance often eases.

Match Their Learning Style

Some children are visual readers; others process best when they hear words spoken. If your child comes alive when listening to an audiobook or a podcast, don’t fight it. Harness it.

Together, search for audiobooks of the same titles assigned in class. Or go broader and find stories related to their interests in science, fantasy, or real-life adventures. If homework assignments feel stale, apps like Sculi allow you to turn written school lessons into fun, high-quality audio, which can be savored during car rides or bedtime routines. The goal is to reduce friction while still exercising their comprehension skills.

If you're trying to build reading into a daily routine, a child who loves sound-based learning might naturally weave it into those pockets of time when a book might otherwise be dismissed.

Keep the Pressure Low, and the Encouragement High

It's heartbreaking to see a child already labeling themselves as “bad at reading.” That label doesn't just hurt—it can shadow their entire approach to learning. Praise effort over progress. Celebrate small victories—"I noticed you read for ten minutes without stopping!"—rather than forcing longer sessions.

To build a long-lasting reading habit, focus on positivity over performance. If the nightly reading log is causing stress, try reframing it. Could it be a shared moment rather than an isolated task? Could the book selection be theirs rather than chosen by you or the school?

This nurturing approach mirrors what we described in this deeper dive into confidence-building. Learning isn't about ticking boxes—it’s about helping kids believe they are capable and resilient.

What to Do When You Feel Burnt Out

Let’s be honest: motivating a reluctant reader can exhaust even the most patient parent. Some nights you might feel like giving up, and that’s okay. Your frustration doesn’t make you a bad parent. It means you care. You want your child to feel confident, competent, and curious.

When you're running on empty, remember you don’t have to do it all perfectly. Experiment. Forgive the rough nights. And if you're wondering how to engage your child in ways that don’t drain you, you might appreciate reading this guide on making learning fun again or this look at rethinking homework help.

The goal is progress, not perfection. And every time you pick up a book, try something new, or just sit with your child during a hard moment—you’re making progress.