What to Do If Your Child Hates Reading

You sit down with your child to read and it turns into a battle. Groans, distractions, maybe even tears. You're thinking: How can they do well in school if they hate reading?

The truth is, lots of kids don’t love reading at first—and it’s not always because they’re lazy or uninterested. Sometimes, it’s because they’re struggling and don’t want to admit it.

Here’s how you can help:

🔍 1. Get Curious, Not Critical

Ask open-ended questions:

• “What makes reading hard for you?”

• “Is there a part you do like—like the pictures or the story?”

The goal isn’t to force reading, but to understand the resistance.

📚 2. Redefine What “Counts” as Reading

Graphic novels? Audio books? Yes, those count. Let them read cereal boxes, sports stats, song lyrics—anything that keeps their eyes on words.

💡 3. Read With Them, Not Just To Them

Take turns reading every other page. Whisper-read together. Let them follow along as you read aloud. Build confidence without pressure.

💪 4. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Celebrate effort more than accuracy. “You read for 10 minutes without giving up—that’s huge!”

🧠 5. Get a Reading Assessment

If your child avoids reading like the plague, there may be a deeper issue—like decoding trouble or comprehension gaps. A simple assessment can reveal a lot.

💬 Our Take:

Reading should feel empowering—not like punishment. Whether they’re behind or just discouraged, our team at TagTeam Tutoring helps readers reconnect with the magic of words.

If reading time is turning into war time, let’s talk.📅 Book a literacy consultation at tagteamtutoring.com📱 Or text OPEN to 469-747-3477