The Kid Who Hates Reading

We all know them… the kid who hates reading and is very vocal about it. Do they really hate reading? Or have they just not found the right book?

That’s a very simplistic answer, but for the most part, anti-readers just haven’t found their jam yet. That could mean they haven’t found something interesting, or their attention wasn’t grabbed immediately. It could mean they haven’t found a comfortable place, or they’re too antsy to sit still.

Reading as a pleasure pursuit is like any other hobby. You have supplies and space requirements. For me personally, nothing in the world is like reading in a low-light environment with a blanket. I can read at a desk or on a couch, but I’m looking around at what other things may need my attention. I need a cozy space to tell my body and my brain that it’s ok to relax and get lost in the story.

What’s funny is that writing is the same for me. I’m sitting here at a desk and typing maybe a sentence before getting distracted. At this rate, I’m just another kid who’s struggling to get into the zone.

So what can we do to help?

Sometimes minimizing distractions isn’t actually the answer. This is either a duh-I-know or a duh-how-did-I-not-think-of-that suggestion. Sensory kids and ADHD kids do well with fidgets, sensory strips or stickers, slime, etc. Anything that helps them get that energy out of their fingertips and lets their brains get lost in the story can be a significant helper.

Obviously, cozy and comfy spaces are at the top of the list. Did you ever have a hammock? Have you ever read on a floatie in the pool? Snuggled up in bed with a book light? All of those are vibes, and kids are just like us when it comes to setting the stage for their recreation.

Next, think about topic, genre, reading level, and format. All of these are things that parents and educators often look at to determine if kids are reading at the appropriate level. I’m going to take a different approach, though. Reading levels for education serve a different purpose than reading for entertainment.

Most kids are probably not fascinated by the short paragraphs that they get in school to learn context, topic, protagonists, antagonists, etc. Those are written to educate, not to entertain. Reading for fun needs to be about subjects that grab their attention… and keep it.

Who knew that the Titanic would be the hottest topic in the bookstore? I have books for every age and in multiple genres and formats about the Titanic. I mean, think about it… Leo and Kate kept us rapt for over three hours, over and over and over.

Whatever that subject is that tickles their fancy, I promise there’s a book about it. Weird science? Absolutely. Dragons and fantasy? Goes without saying. Stolen art? Plenty. Video games, politics, fashion, books about books? Yep, to all of them.

Lean into your kid’s interest, and you’ll see them pick up that book.

Funny story, in fact. When my oldest was a child, he refused to let me read to him. Outright hated storytime. I was not prepared for that! One night, I made him sit down and let me read Dragons Love Tacos, because who doesn’t love that book? When I closed it, he rolled his eyes and said, “Oh, thank goodness! That was RIDICULOUS!”

That’s when I learned that my child wanted nonfiction, and nonfiction only. He taught himself to read just before kindergarten so that he could learn about… wait for it… the Titanic.

The last things I’ll touch on for helping your kid find their lane are reading level, format, and series. They get plenty of at-level and challenging reading material at school. At home, when you’re teaching them to love it, let them read what they enjoy.

It sounds simple, but think about what you read or watch at the end of a long workday. We literally tell our kids that school is their job, and then we want them to come home and work some more? Let them read Dog Man for the eight millionth time.

For that matter, let them read graphic novels. Reading a graphic novel requires them to interpret the pictures alongside the text in order to understand the story. It literally isn’t all spelled out for them. Don't believe me? Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy has an excellent (and easily digestible) overview of the research on graphic novels and young learners, linked here:  https://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/blog/research-behind-graphic-novels-and-young-learners

And in terms of rereads, look to books that have a series or are loosely related to each other, or authors that they enjoy. When a book has crossover characters, settings, or tone, it takes some of the work out of reading. Recognizing those elements is something we have honed over years of reading, but that kids still work to understand. Taking some of that work away lets them escape into the story faster.

All of this is to say that I don’t believe that some people “just aren’t readers.” I believe that they didn’t learn how to read to relax and enjoy themselves.

Almost everyone will sit still for a story, whether it’s one they have to read themselves or it’s being read to them. Hello, audiobooks.

If your kid finds a story in any format that is engaging, encourage that. That is the truest way to raise a lifelong reader.