5 Ways to make Reading Time Less Stressful Today
If your child groans, stalls, or outright refuses to read, you’re not alone. Many parents find that reading time—whether for school homework, summer reading lists, or just because it’s important to your family—can turn into a daily battle. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a few simple shifts in how you approach reading time, you can help your child feel more confident, more engaged, and yes—maybe even enjoy it!
5 Practical Tips to Turn Reading Time Into a Positive Experience:
1. Let Them Move While They Read
Not every child is wired to sit still and focus quietly for long periods—and that’s okay. Some kids concentrate better when they’re moving. Try letting your child read aloud while pacing, sitting on a yoga ball, lying on the floor, fidgeting with something in their hands, or even bouncing a foot. Movement can help release tension and improve focus.
Child struggling to pay attention for any length of time? That’s not something to just accommodate and work around—there are things you can do to help them improve focus, memory, concentration, and more. Read more >>
2. Break It Into Smaller Chunks
Instead of setting a timer for 30 straight minutes of reading, break the time into smaller, manageable chunks—like three 10-minute sessions with a short break in between. If your child struggles with reading stamina or attention, this approach makes reading feel less overwhelming. Use a visual timer or sticker chart so they can see their progress and stay motivated.
3. Give Them (Some) Choice
Even if your child has an assigned book, try giving them choices within the assignment. Can they choose where to read? Which chapter to tackle first? Whether you read it to them, take turns, or they read solo? Letting them have some control builds ownership and reduces resistance. For summer reading, letting your child pick the book—even from a limited list—can make a big difference.
4. Use “Popcorn Reading” or Echo Reading
There are lots of collaborative ways to get through reading time that put less pressure on your reluctant reader. Popcorn reading is a fun and flexible way to share the reading load. You and your child take turns reading sentences, paragraphs, or pages. You can say “popcorn!” and let them take over, or let them “pop” back to you when they’re tired or stuck. This approach helps struggling readers avoid fatigue, keeps them engaged, and makes reading feel like a team effort.
Echo reading is a great option to help your child develop fluency and expression. Read a sentence or paragraph aloud, then have your child repeat the same section of text until it’s fluid and they fully comprehend it. While this may take longer to get through a text, it does wonders for helping your child grow their reading confidence!
Read More: Ways to Improve Reading Fluency for Choppy or Reluctant Readers >>
5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Instead of correcting every mistake or pushing for perfect pronunciation, focus on celebrating effort. Did they finish a chapter without complaining? Did they try a tricky word on their own? Set fluid goals and cheer them on! Encouragement builds confidence, and confidence builds readers. A small reward system—like a sticker chart or earning extra bedtime stories or screen time—can add positive reinforcement.
Read More: The Power of Celebrating Small Wins >>
What If They Still Hate Reading?
If reading always feels like a struggle—despite your best efforts—there may be something deeper going on. Many kids who dislike reading actually have underlying cognitive skill weaknesses that make reading hard. Skills like attention, memory, processing speed, and auditory processing are foundational to reading success. When one or more of these skills is weak, reading can feel like climbing a mountain every day.
At LearningRx, we help uncover the real reasons behind learning struggles through a Cognitive Skills Assessment. Our one-on-one brain training programs strengthen the skills that make reading easier—so your child can stop dreading reading time and start succeeding.
