What to Do When Your Child Hates Reading: Homeschool Tips That Work

As a homeschooling mom, I’ll be honest with you—I’ve had my fair share of struggles when it comes to reading with my kids. One of my children loved reading from the very beginning, but the other? Not so much. In fact, saying they “hated reading” might even be putting it lightly. They would sigh, drag their feet, and do anything to avoid sitting down with a book.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many homeschool parents face the same challenge. But the good news is that a dislike for reading doesn’t mean your child will never enjoy books. It just means we need to get creative in how we approach reading, especially in a homeschooling environment where we have the flexibility to meet our children where they are.

In this post, I’m going to share practical, tried-and-true homeschool tips that helped transform reading from a dreaded chore into something my child could finally enjoy. These are strategies that you can try right away, and I promise—they work.

Why Some Kids Hate Reading

Before we dive into solutions, let’s talk about the “why.” Understanding the root of your child’s dislike can make all the difference.

Here are some common reasons kids resist reading:

It feels too hard. If your child struggles with decoding words, keeping up with the text, or understanding what they’re reading, frustration builds quickly.
They haven’t found the right book. Not every child wants to read chapter books or fairy tales. Sometimes they need magazines, graphic novels, or even instruction manuals to spark their interest.
It feels like work. If reading is always tied to tests, comprehension questions, or assignments, kids may see it as something stressful rather than enjoyable.
They’re more hands-on. Some kids are natural kinesthetic learners who prefer to move, build, or create instead of sitting still with a book.

No matter the reason, homeschooling gives us the freedom to adjust and personalize the approach.

Homeschool Tips That Actually Work

1. Let Them Choose Their Own Books

This was the first game-changer for us. When I stopped trying to force “what I thought they should read” and instead let them pick from the library or bookstore, reading became less of a battle.

Don’t worry if they’re reaching for graphic novels, comic books, or even books about video games. Reading is reading! The goal is to build confidence and enjoyment first—academic growth will follow.

Tip: If you’re searching for book ideas, look for “best books for reluctant readers,” “graphic novels for kids,” or “high-interest low-level books.”

2. Incorporate Audiobooks

At first, I felt like audiobooks were “cheating.” But the truth is, audiobooks open up a world of stories without the stress of decoding every word. We would listen together in the car, during quiet time, or while building with LEGO.

Here’s what happened: my child started associating stories with joy and curiosity instead of dread. Later, they wanted to pick up the physical book to follow along.

3. Create a Cozy Reading Environment

Sometimes the environment is half the battle. I set up a “reading nook” with a beanbag chair, soft blankets, and even some fairy lights. We made reading time feel more like a cozy break than schoolwork.

Adding snacks, hot cocoa, or a comfy blanket can work wonders in making reading feel special instead of stressful.

4. Model a Love for Reading

Kids notice what we do more than what we say. I made it a point to sit down with my own book while my kids had their reading time. I’d share interesting things I was reading about, laugh out loud at funny parts, or talk about how much I enjoyed the story.

This showed my child that reading isn’t just for “school”—it’s something enjoyable for life.

5. Pair Reading with Their Interests

When I realized my child wasn’t interested in “traditional” books, I started searching for topics they loved. For example, dinosaurs, space, sports, and even Minecraft! Once I found books on those topics, they were much more engaged.

Homeschool bonus: I even built unit studies around those interests, sneaking in reading as part of the larger learning process.

6. Read Aloud Together

Reading aloud isn’t just for little kids. I found that reading aloud took the pressure off and helped my child enjoy the story without stumbling over every word. Sometimes I’d read a page, then they’d read a page. Other times, I’d do all the reading while they just listened.

Over time, their confidence grew, and they wanted to try more on their own.

7. Keep Sessions Short and Sweet

If your child hates reading, forcing them to sit for 30–45 minutes is a recipe for frustration. I started with just 10 minutes a day. Consistency mattered more than length.

Gradually, those 10 minutes stretched into longer sessions as their interest grew. Think quality over quantity.

8. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

When my child finally finished their first book on their own, we celebrated! We went for ice cream, took a trip to the bookstore, and made a big deal about their accomplishment.

Celebrations don’t have to be extravagant. A simple “I’m proud of you” or letting them share the story with the family at dinner can be enough to boost confidence.

9. Make Reading Interactive

Sometimes kids need reading to feel more hands-on. I used activities like:

Acting out scenes from the book.
Drawing pictures of favorite characters.
Creating “alternate endings.”
Using reading journals to jot down thoughts.

Making reading interactive helps them connect more deeply with the story.

10. Be Patient and Keep Going

I’ll be honest—it doesn’t happen overnight. There were days when reading still felt like pulling teeth. But with consistency, patience, and creativity, my child slowly began to see reading as something other than a dreaded task.

Today, they may not be a full-blown “bookworm,” but they do read regularly without the battles we used to have—and that feels like a huge win.

Final Thoughts

If your child hates reading, remember this: you are not failing, and neither is your child. Every child learns at their own pace, and as homeschoolers, we have the privilege to adjust and try new things until we find what clicks.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the journey matters more than the timeline. Focus on creating positive experiences with reading, and over time, your child’s confidence and enjoyment will grow.

So take a deep breath, try out some of these homeschool tips, and most importantly—don’t give up. Your child can learn to enjoy reading, even if it looks different than you expected.

💬 Now it’s your turn! Does your child struggle with reading? What strategies have worked for you in your homeschool? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your experiences and ideas!

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