Help! My Child Refuses to Read at Home!

Kate Baker
Apr 7
3 min read

Updated: Apr 11

If your child flat-out refuses to read at home, you’re not alone. Many children push back against reading, and often, it’s because they find it really difficult. Let’s be honest - we all tend to avoid things that feel frustrating or overwhelming!

For children with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or other special educational needs, reading can feel like an uphill battle. But with the right approach, you can shift their mindset and create a more positive, low-pressure reading experience. Here’s how.

1. Approach with Compassion

The first step is empathy. If reading is a struggle, frustration and avoidance are natural responses. Rather than pushing them to “just try,” acknowledge their feelings:

👉 “I know reading feels really tough sometimes. Learning to read is a big challenge, and I get why you don’t want to do it right now.”

When a child feels understood, they’re much more likely to let their guard down. They need to know they’re in safe hands - that you’re not going to force them into something uncomfortable, but instead, support them step by step.

2. Make Reading Less Threatening

If the mere sight of a book makes your child groan, ease them in gently - without immediately asking them to read.

Start small: Instead of diving into a book, use phonics cards. Lay out 6 - 8 sounds on the table or floor and tell them all they have to do is point to the correct one.
You do the reading: Say a sound aloud, and let them point to the correct card.
Encourage, don’t correct: If they get it wrong, respond with, “So close! Try again!” and celebrate their success when they get it right: “Amazing! That does say __, let’s keep going!”

There’s no such thing as too much praise for a reluctant reader. Making reading low-pressure and positive is the best way to build their confidence and willingness to try.

3. Ditch the Table & Make It Fun

If sitting down to read feels like a battle, skip the table altogether! Reading and spelling practice can happen anywhere - on the sofa, in the garden, or even while moving.

Try This: The Balloon Game 🎈

One of my favourite ways to engage even the most reluctant readers is with a simple game of throw and catch:

1. Blow up a balloon and toss it to your child while saying a word for them to spell (it could be from their school spelling list). 2. They spell the word, then throw the balloon back to you. 3. Keep it light, fun, and pressure-free!

By making reading and spelling feel like play rather than “work,” you remove the resistance and help your child build skills without even realising they’re learning.

Final Thoughts

If these ideas sound like they might work for your hesitant reader, be bold and give them a try! Every child is different, but making reading feel safe, fun, and achievable can transform their confidence.

Need more guidance? My Reading Skills Workbooks are designed with gamified learning to keep engagement high and frustration low. They provide structured, evidence-based activities to help struggling readers thrive.

👉 Check out the workbooks to start your child's reading journey today!