How do I get my child to read?

[Janemcdonald]

My problem is not that my son can't read - it's just he doesn't ever want to pick up a book. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I have never managed to get mine to read voluntarily. I'm sad about it because reading is so important to me, but neither child has suffered academically because of it so I try not to stress any more. They are 14 and 18 now

I found the main thing what I gave mine to read. Quite an interesting video about it here

Reating something is better then nothing. Comics and magazines can be a different way in or some children prefer non fiction

Some children like to read, others don't. My mother has four children (me being the oldest). I love reading but my younger sisters hated it! They aren't into books at all!

I have two children. DS isn't really a reader but my DD loves books!

Comics and magazines aren't a book but they are still a great way to get children to read! 😊

Take them to boring places, with some books and magazines. Comics, graphic novels, magazines and leaflets are less intimidating than a whole book.

Find a book they love! Diary of a wimpy kid or tom Gates have lots of pictures and are less intimidating

My ds are more likely to read - comics, we have the Phoenix delivered, the newspaper, we have first news delivered, non fiction books about their current favourite topics, annuals, basically anything with more pictures and short extracts of text!

Go with what they enjoy. Comics, magazines, fact books or even books about Xbox games, YouTubers, Lift flap books, joke books. Anything! We spoke to his school to find books he didn't hate. I think the reading schemes at school can kill the joy of books stone dead in weeks!

We read big books together at nighttime snuggled in our big bed. Just a few pages a night and they love it! We've read things like The Hobbit, Roald Dahl, Alice in Wonderland etc

Take the pressure off. No technology in their bedrooms and we limit time in screens to a couple hours a day. Ds goes to bed 30 minutes before lights out. No toys/games. He has lots of books in his room and a shelf next to his bed (on purpose!) He can read or go straight to sleep. Guess what....he decides to read 😌.

He started slowly but he's just started reading full books independently (he's 10). Captain Underpants, Alex Rider, loads of fact books on space. He hates Micheal Morpurgo books and is developing his preferences which we're really pleased about because he's showing an interest etc. We go with what he likes.

We're reading with our youngest. We snuggle, have fun and read together. I hope she'll pick it up better that DS but the same applies. She can look at her books when she's in bed. She reads to us (she can't read so it's really funny at times). No technology on her room.

Reading can be a chore when it’s still an effort. Don’t force it.... and, as others have said, offer comics- my DS loves The Beano and Robot- a gaming comic.

And read to him- exciting or funny stories to build a love of books.

Then take him to the public library and look for comic books, Lego readers, TV or toy character tie-ins depending on his age, non-fiction on his interests, Tom Gates, x Storey Treehouse series, etc. They all have a track record for engaging reluctant readers- and my son loved Captain Underpants when I said it was the most banned book in American schools!