Supporting Reluctant Readers at Home

1. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment

Ensure books are always available and visible in your home. According to a study by Evans et al. (2010), homes with books positively influence children’s academic outcomes, regardless of socioeconomic background. Consider creating a “reading nook” or simply have books and magazines in shared spaces.

Example: Visit the library together and let your child choose books or graphic novels that interest them. Reluctant readers often respond well to visual storytelling formats like comics.

2. Model Reading for Pleasure

Children mimic behaviour. If they see you reading for enjoyment, they’re more likely to view reading as a positive activity rather than a chore.

Example: Set aside 20 minutes after dinner for “family reading time.” Choose your own book while they read theirs. Discuss what you’re both enjoying.

3. Use Technology Positively

Research by Baron (2021) shows that e-books and audiobooks can be effective tools for engaging reluctant readers. Audiobooks, in particular, improve listening and comprehension skills while building vocabulary.

Example: Suggest listening to an audiobook together during car journeys or while doing chores. Pair it with the physical book to reinforce word recognition.

4. Choose High-Interest, Accessible Texts

Many struggling readers benefit from texts tailored to their interests or ones written at an appropriate reading level. Experts like Louise Rosenblatt highlight the importance of “reader response,” where engagement with texts is enhanced through personal connection.

Example: If your child loves football, try sports-themed novels like Kick by Mitch Johnson or non-fiction like You Are a Champion by Marcus Rashford.

5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Acknowledging small wins helps build confidence and motivation. Educational psychologist Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset demonstrates that praising effort and progress fosters resilience.

Example: If your child finishes a book, or reads consistently for a predetermined amount of time each week, reward their achievement with a special activity at the weekend or during the holidays. 

6. Read Together—At Any Age

Even older children can benefit from shared reading experiences. Reading aloud fosters bonding, models fluency, and enhances comprehension, as shown in research by Trelease (2013).

Example: Take turns reading chapters aloud. Discuss characters or predictions to make it interactive and engaging.

7. Link Reading to Real-Life Experiences

Show your child how reading connects to their world. Contextual learning improves comprehension and helps make abstract concepts tangible.

Example: If you’re planning a holiday, explore travel guides together. If they enjoy cooking, encourage them to read and follow recipes.

8. Build Vocabulary in Everyday Life

Expanding vocabulary through natural conversation supports literacy development, as supported by Beck, McKeown, and Kucan’s work on vocabulary instruction.

Example: Discuss new words from books or everyday experiences. Play word-based games like Scrabble or Bananagrams as a fun alternative.

9. Encourage Peer Recommendations

Peers often inspire reluctant readers more than adults, according to Guthrie and Humenick (2004). Organise or join book clubs where children can share recommendations and discuss books.

Example: Ask if the school has a reading club, or encourage your child to swap books with friends.

10. Seek Guidance and Resources from School

Schools often have resources and expertise to support struggling readers. Working together ensures a consistent approach.

Example: Speak to your child’s teacher about their progress. They may suggest tailored resources or interventions like paired reading programmes.

Final Thought

Every child has the potential to become a confident reader. With patience, encouragement, and the right strategies, you can help them unlock their love of reading. Remember, every small step counts!

Stretching and Challenging High-Ability Readers

1. Introduce Advanced and Diverse Texts

Encourage your child to explore a wide range of genres, authors, and perspectives to broaden their literary horizons. Exposure to diverse texts builds critical thinking and empathy, as shown in research by Louise Rosenblatt’s transactional theory of reading.

Example: Suggest classic novels like Jane Eyre or modern literary fiction such as The Kite Runner. Non-fiction options like biographies or historical accounts can also offer intellectual stimulation.

2. Foster Critical Analysis

Challenge your child to question and interpret texts at a deeper level. Encourage them to think about themes, context, and authorial intent. This aligns with Bloom’s taxonomy, which emphasises higher-order thinking skills.

Example: Discuss why a character made certain decisions or how the author’s context shaped the narrative. Ask them to write or present their own analysis of a book.

3. Encourage Cross-Disciplinary Reading

Link reading to other areas of interest. Reading widely across subjects enhances cultural capital and prepares students for complex interdisciplinary thinking, as emphasised by the Sutton Trust.

Example: A science enthusiast might enjoy The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, while a history fan could delve into Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.

4. Promote Independent Reading Projects

Allow your child to take ownership of their reading by creating independent projects. Research by Vygotsky highlights the importance of self-directed learning in extending understanding.

Example: They could explore a theme like “representations of power” by reading multiple texts across genres and producing a written or creative response, such as an essay, artwork, or presentation.

5. Introduce Literary Criticism and Theory

High-ability readers often benefit from exposure to literary theories to deepen their understanding of texts. This can help them engage with literature at an A-level or even degree level.

Example: Suggest beginner-friendly guides to literary theory, such as How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster. Apply concepts like feminism or post-colonialism to books they’re reading.

6. Encourage Creative Responses

High-ability readers often enjoy expressing their ideas creatively. Writing stories, poetry, or alternative endings to novels can deepen engagement while building writing skills.

Example: If they loved a book, encourage them to write a diary entry from a character’s perspective or a short sequel to the story.

7. Facilitate Discussion and Debate

Research by Alexander (2020) shows that dialogic teaching, where students engage in structured discussions, improves critical thinking. Extend this to your home by fostering discussions about books.

Example: Host a family “book club” where everyone reads the same book and discusses their interpretations. Debate themes like justice, morality, or the role of technology in society.

8. Integrate Technology Thoughtfully

Digital platforms can help stretch readers by providing access to challenging materials and communities. Use technology to supplement, not replace, traditional reading.

Example: Join online literary forums or book clubs, such as those on Goodreads, or explore apps like Blinkist, which summarise non-fiction texts for further exploration.

9. Connect Reading to Real-World Experiences

Encourage your child to see the relevance of reading beyond academic success. Real-world connections build deeper understanding and curiosity.

Example: If they read To Kill a Mockingbird, visit a local courthouse or discuss historical examples of social justice. For a non-fiction text on wildlife, visit a nature reserve or zoo.

10. Support Writing and Research Skills

Stretching high-ability readers often means encouraging them to create their own content. Researching and writing about topics of interest builds independent thinking and intellectual curiosity.

Example: Encourage them to write reviews, start a blog, or enter essay competitions like the Orwell Youth Prize or Foyle Young Poets.

Final Thought

Your role is to nurture a love of literature while encouraging intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. High-ability readers flourish when challenged to see the world from multiple perspectives. By offering diverse and meaningful opportunities, you can help them achieve their full potential.

10 Ways Parents Can Help Their Child’s Reading at Home

1. Read Together

Set aside time to read aloud together, alternating pages or chapters. This models fluent reading and creates a shared experience, reinforcing that reading can be enjoyable and social.

2. Discuss What They’re Reading

Ask questions about the book’s plot, characters, or themes. Engage in discussions that encourage them to think critically and connect with the material. This deepens comprehension and reflection.

3. Set Realistic Reading Goals

Help your child set small, achievable reading goals, like finishing a chapter or a few pages per day. Small successes will build their reading stamina and confidence over time.

4. Provide Access to Audiobooks

Use audiobooks alongside the printed version of the text. This helps struggling readers follow along, improving their fluency, comprehension, and familiarity with difficult words.

5. Choose High-Interest Books

Select books that align with your child’s personal interests—whether that’s sports, history, science fiction, or graphic novels. The more engaged they are with the content, the more motivated they’ll be to read.

6. Create a Reading-Friendly Environment

Make a quiet, distraction-free reading area in your home. A comfortable and inviting space dedicated to reading encourages them to focus.

7. Use Reading Apps and Tools

Encourage the use of interactive reading apps or e-readers, like Kindle or BorrowBox, which offer features such as built-in dictionaries, making reading more accessible and engaging.

8. Break Reading into Small Chunks

If your child finds it hard to focus for long periods, suggest reading for short intervals (10-15 minutes) multiple times throughout the day. This prevents overwhelm while gradually increasing reading endurance.

9. Talk About Vocabulary

Focus on expanding vocabulary by discussing unfamiliar words encountered in reading. Use a dictionary together and integrate new words into daily conversations. Help them keep a vocabulary journal to track their progress.

10. Celebrate Progress

Regularly acknowledge their reading milestones—whether it’s finishing a book, understanding a tricky passage, or learning new vocabulary. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and makes reading feel rewarding. Link their progress to tangible rewards, such as earning a special treat or activity at the weekend if they meet their reading goals for the week.

Literacy Terminology

Comprehension

• Definition: Comprehension is the ability to understand the text’s meaning, including details, ideas, and deeper messages.

• Examples:

  • Ask questions that connect the story to real life: “The boy in the story was nervous about going to school. Have you ever felt like that? Why do you think he felt that way?”

  • Have your child summarise the story: “Can you tell me what happened at the beginning, middle, and end of the book?”

  • Encourage connections: “This character loves animals—do you remember another character from a different story who also loves animals?”

Fluency

• Definition: Fluency is reading smoothly with correct pacing and expression, similar to speaking naturally.

• Examples:

  • Model reading by showing how your voice changes with punctuation. Try reading a sentence with a question mark or exclamation mark with appropriate intonation, then have your child try.

  • Use a favourite story and ask them to read a paragraph several times, aiming to sound smoother and more expressive each time.

  • Try “echo reading,” where you read a sentence and your child repeats it, focusing on pace and expression.

Decoding

• Definition: Decoding is recognising letters, groups of letters, and their sounds to figure out how to read a word.

• Examples:

  • For short words, sound them out together: “Let’s look at the sounds in ‘sand’—/s/ /a/ /n/ /d/. Now, put them together!”

  • With longer words, show them how to break down syllables: “Read this part of the word first. Now, read the second part, like ‘dis-’ and ‘cover.’”

  • Point out familiar letter patterns like “-ing” or “-tion” and ask, “Can you find a word with the ‘-ing’ sound?”

Vocabulary

• Definition: Vocabulary is the set of words a child understands and uses, which helps them express thoughts and understand others.

• Examples:

  • Encourage them to describe things in detail: “Instead of ‘big,’ what other words could you use to describe that dog?”

  • Point out new words in everyday situations: “The flowers are wilting in the heat. Do you know what wilting means?”

  • Reinforce words by using them in different sentences: “That’s a huge building! The building we saw yesterday was also huge, wasn’t it?”

Inference

• Definition: Inference involves drawing conclusions from clues in the text rather than directly stated facts.

• Examples:

  • If a character is hiding behind a door, ask, “Why do you think they’re hiding? How are they feeling?”

  • For non-fiction, if an article mentions a farmer checking the sky, ask, “What do you think he’s looking for? What might he want to know about the weather?”

  • When the author describes a cold, dark room, ask, “What kind of mood does this create? How might the character feel in that room?”

Phonemic Awareness

• Definition: Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds in words, an essential skill for decoding.

• Examples:

  • Play a game with rhyming words, like “bat” and “hat.” Ask, “Can you think of another word that rhymes with ‘bat’?”

  • Clap out syllables with words: “Let’s clap to ‘sunshine’: two claps, ‘sun’ and ‘shine.’ How many claps does ‘elephant’ have?”

  • Practice changing sounds in words, like saying “cat” and then changing the first sound to make “bat.”

Phonics

• Definition: Phonics is the understanding of the relationship between sounds and their written letters, enabling word recognition.

• Examples:

  • Identify sounds together: Point to the letters “sh” in “ship” and say, “This makes a ‘sh’ sound. Can you find other words with this sound?”

  • Play “word hunts” where they find words starting with the same sound in a book: “Let’s find words that start with ‘b’ on this page.”

  • Use games with letter tiles to create new words, like changing “mat” to “bat” by swapping letters.

Prediction

• Definition: Prediction is the skill of guessing what might happen next, helping children think ahead and engage with the text.

• Examples:

  • Before turning a page, ask, “What do you think will happen next?” For instance, in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, before the bears come home, ask, “What might they think when they see someone ate their porridge?”

  • For non-fiction, ask what they think the section might explain based on the heading: “This says ‘How Bees Make Honey.’ What do you think we’ll learn here?”

  • When reading about a problem a character faces, ask, “What would you do in their situation?”

Context Clues

• Definition: Context clues are hints within the text that help readers figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.

• Examples:

  • In a sentence like “The arid desert had no water for miles,” point out words like “desert” to help understand “arid” means dry.

  • If the sentence says, “She skipped to the park joyfully,” ask, “What does joyfully mean? How does she feel about going to the park?”

  • For challenging words, read the whole paragraph together and see if they can make an educated guess about the word’s meaning based on surrounding sentences.

Summarising

• Definition: Summarising is retelling the main points of a story briefly, helping children organise and remember information.

• Examples:

  • After a story, ask, “What happened in just a few sentences? What was the most important thing that happened?”

  • For non-fiction, have them summarise the main ideas: “What were the three things we learned about lions?”

  • After each chapter, ask for a summary to reinforce what’s happened so far, helping them keep track of the plot.

Text Structure

• Definition: Text structure is how information is organised in a text, including things like headings, chapters, or sequence.

• Examples:

  • Point out chapters in a book: “The book is divided into chapters to show different parts of the story. This one is about how the character first finds the map.”

  • For non-fiction, look at headings and subheadings: “This section is called ‘The Life Cycle of a Butterfly’—so it’s all about different stages.”

  • Use a cookbook to show a “step-by-step” structure and explain why each step must be followed in order.

Retelling

• Definition: Retelling is when a child describes the story back in their own words, showing that they’ve understood and remembered the details.

• Examples:

  • After reading a story, have them tell it to you or to a sibling: “Can you tell me what The Three Little Pigs was about?”

  • For a chapter book, ask for a retelling after each chapter: “What just happened with the main character? Why is this important?”

  • For non-fiction, after reading a section, ask them to explain the main points: “So, how does a caterpillar become a butterfly?”

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOUR CHILD DEVELOP THEIR READING

THE BBC'S 100 GREATEST CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Non-fiction links

Penguin book list links

The BBC's Greatest 100 Children's books

Waterstones Book List

Whole list or one word?

Life of Pi by Yann Martel (recommended by Miss Brough)

I loved Life of Pi because it masterfully combines a unique storytelling structure with profound philosophical exploration. The philosophical issues raised—like the nature of faith, survival, and truth—were thought-provoking, and the way it is paired with a child's humorous narrative made it a unique read. Pi's extraordinary resilience and ingenuity in the face of impossible odds were inspiring, showcasing the strength of the human spirit. The relationship between Pi and the tiger, Richard Parker, was especially compelling—both a tense struggle for dominance and a profound connection born out of their shared plight. Together, these elements made the book not just a survival story but a deeply moving and unforgettable exploration of life's mysteries. 

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (recommended by Miss Price)

This whole series of books is my favourite of all time. The complete flip of historical social ideas really leave you thinking and is so powerful to consider just how divisive the world can be. However in all of the unhappiness and inequality, there are still people willing to fight for the rights of all people and that is so important. There are connections to the past throughout but so many of the storylines are relevant for the modern day too. They are such a well written collection of stories, brilliantly paced and you get so attached to every single character.

Pet Semetary - Stephen King (recommended by Mr Dixon)

I was first recommended Pet Semetary as a young teenager, a small while after a bereavement in my family. A fairly short horror book at its face covering loss, grief, and nature. Its suspense kept me engaged and the fairly casual, conversation-like writing of Stephen King made it easy to read. It ended up teaching me a lot about the natural path of life along with teaching me through some of its deeper messages about treasuring what you have and looking after it. 
 

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep - Phillip K Dick (recommended by Mr Dixon)

I've always been a fan of science fiction and this book was pivotal in its development. I think the Science fiction genre in books, TV, and film really has a unique way of questioning human morality, and this book has that at its core. A lot of science fiction tends to question morality by showing a very pessimistic view of humanity but I think Phillip K Dick writes a lot of positive examples within this book. It keeps you constantly questioning who is more human, and why. The book explores a constant need to connect to people and feel empathy, while maybe ignoring the other negative feelings of greed and desire. 

Cycling is my life- by Tommy Simpson (recommended by Mr Newman)

Tommy Simpson was the first British pro rider to make his mark in the cut throat world of professional cycle racing back in the late 50's and 60's. He was something I wanted to aspire to when I started racing in my teenage years but sadly never did.

The book charts his early life enjoying amazingly long rides in the Yorkshire, Durham countryside, easily riding over 100 miles on a Sunday and he was only 16! Later on, he progressed to become an international cyclist for the British Team representing his country at the 1956 Olympics in the Team Pursuit. With only 2 bikes and a suitcase in later years while only in his early 20's travelled to France, not speaking a work of French forged a successful career as professional rider.

Winning several of the "monuments" races and holding the yellow jersey in the Tour de France. His career culminated in winning the world road race championships in 1965 in a race-soaked race in Spain. The book finishes at this point but Tom went on to win many more races. I was fascinated by his single mindedness and his desire to win. 

06:20 by David Baldacci (recommended by Mr Newman)

Following a decorated career in the USA armed forces Travis Devine leaves the Army in mysterious circumstances. He now faces a different challenge swapping fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda for a different danger in the cut-throat world of high finance.  

His regular 06:20 commute by train into New York's financial district to his new job as an analyst at Cowl and Comely, an investment bank takes him into a new world where greed, power, jealousy and ambition result in the financial abuse of the masses and enrichment of an elite few. 

Travis’s combat skills come in very useful in situations he never envisaged. A gripping end and thoroughly absorbing read.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (recommended by Mr Wison)

As a child, I was captivated by the magic of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. Lewis has a gift for creating worlds that feel both enchanting and real, and the vivid names—like Cair Paravel and Aslan—sparked my imagination in ways no other book had before. The varied settings, from the snowy forests of Narnia to the grandeur of the White Witch’s castle, made me feel like I was embarking on a new adventure every time I opened the book. Beyond the magic, this is a story about courage, redemption, and the power of friendship. Even now, I marvel at Lewis’s ability to transport readers to a world where ordinary children become heroes. 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (recommended by Mr Wilson)

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a masterclass in storytelling, combining poetic prose with a sense of urgency that mirrors the restless energy of the 1920s Jazz Age. The novel’s exploration of ambition, identity, and disillusionment resonates on so many levels, making it as relevant today as when it was first published. I’m always drawn to the contradictions in Gatsby himself—his relentless hope and the tragic fragility beneath his glittering facade. For me, the final page is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking conclusions in literature, encapsulating the novel’s central themes with unforgettable precision. It’s a book that challenges you to reflect, not just on the characters, but on the world around you.

Shock Headed Peter by Heinrich Hoffman (recommended by Mrs Richards)

Streuwwelpeter or, Shock Headed Peter, is a beautifully illustrated collection of rhyming morality tales which I read and reread, growing up. The stories were originally published in German, in 1845, by doctor Heinrich Hoffman, who wrote and illustrated them for his three year old. I read these stories and still remember the shock of the protagonists who will not correct their behaviour and meet with untimely ends like ’Augustus, Who Would Not Eat His Soup’ and ‘The Dreadful Story of Harriet and the Matches’. While we definitely think about behaviour differently today, the stories in Shock Headed Peter are a piece of macabre history which many children will find fascinating! 

A Black Boy at Eton by Dillibe Oneyama (recommended by Mrs Richards)

Published in the 1970s, this autobiography covers the experience of a young Nigerian man and the racism he experienced at one of the UK’s most prestigious boarding schools, Eton College. It gives us an insight into both the Hogwarts-esque world of the boarding school… all the strange phrases and codes and style of teaching.  A powerful insight into institutional racism which made a huge impact on me. 

This is going to hurt - Adam Kay (recommended by Mrs Graham)

I absolutely loved this. Completely devoured it in about 6 hours one day on holiday. It has the perfect balance of being funny, informative and emotional and shows us a totally different perspective to the difficulties of working in the NHS. It's certainly made me a little more understanding when waiting for a GP appointment or to see someone in A&E as those professionals are working so hard, in sadly, a broken system. Adam is an excellent writer and because it's written in a diary style, it's very accessible and a total page turner. Highly, highly recommend!

The Hunger Games series (recommended by Mrs Lake)

Was absolutely hooked. Had watched the films so decided to read the books and they were so much much better! The characters were so well described and you really felt you knew them all individually by the end! A great read for a fantasy, adventure lover!

The Friday Murder Club series (recommended by Mrs Lake)

I couldn't put these books down and read them all within 1 week which is very quick for me! They were such an easy read, were extremely funny and even made me cry in the last one. An absolutely must read for a murder mystery lover, or someone who wants a good giggle with some great English humour!