Kick Off the School Year with Reading Inspiration ✨ Date Tue September 9, 2025

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Excerpt:

7 Conversation Starters for When Your Child Says “I Don’t Like Reading”

It happens in so many homes. You hand your child a book, hopeful they’ll curl up and get lost in a story—and instead, you hear the dreaded words:

“I don’t like reading.”

As a mom, my heart sinks in that moment. I love books, and I want my child to love them too. As a literacy expert, though, I also know this: those words don’t mean your child is destined to dislike reading forever. Often, it’s just frustration talking. Maybe the text feels too hard, maybe they haven’t found the right stories, or maybe reading has become tangled up with stress instead of joy.

The good news? A simple conversation can shift the mood and keep the door open to reading. With back-to-school season in full swing, here are some gentle conversation starters you can use when your child pushes back on reading.

1. “What’s the hardest part about reading for you?”
Instead of jumping in with, “But reading is so important!” try getting curious. Kids often know exactly what feels tough—sounding out words, keeping track of the story, or worrying about being slower than classmates. Naming the struggle together helps your child feel heard, and gives you clues for how to support them.

2. “If you could read about anything, what would it be?”
Sometimes kids think “reading” only means chapter books or school-assigned texts. In reality, reading is everywhere—comics, cookbooks, video game guides, even sports stats. By asking this, you’re helping your child connect reading to their passions. Once they realize books can be about dinosaurs, space, or soccer, the resistance often softens.

3. “Can I read to you, and you just listen?”
Kids don’t outgrow read-alouds—ever. Even my middle schooler still enjoys being read to. Taking the pressure off and letting them listen builds vocabulary, comprehension, and a positive emotional connection to stories. Pair it with a cozy blanket or snack, and suddenly “reading” feels like quality family time.

4. “Want to take turns reading a page each?”
For kids who get tired or anxious reading alone, this turns reading into teamwork. It also models fluent reading, while giving them breaks. A game-like approach can transform something overwhelming into something doable.

5. “What do you think will happen next?”
If your child is restless, spark curiosity. Stopping mid-story to predict what comes next makes reading interactive and fun. Kids realize it’s not just about decoding words—it’s about getting pulled into a world of imagination.

6. “Would you rather read together here, or while we’re driving, or before bed?”
Choice is powerful. Kids resist less when they feel in control. By giving them options, you’re signaling that their preferences matter—and reading can fit naturally into different parts of the day.

7. “Can you teach me something new you learned from this book?”
Kids love being the “expert.” Framing reading as a chance to teach you flips the script and makes them more invested. Even short passages can lead to big conversations when your child feels proud of sharing knowledge.