Making reading fun for struggling readers is key to building confidence and skills. Check out these great ideas to spark joy and a lifelong love of reading

When reading feels like a chore, kids notice. And for struggling readers, it can quickly turn from "a bit tricky" to "I hate reading"...

But do not fear: finding reading hard is normal, and okay.

In reality, many little readers hit bumps in the road. 

And struggling to read could mean an array of issues. Anything from mixing up letters to low confidence, a short attention span, or trouble following the story.

And while it is normal and okay, it’s important that if we suspect our kids are struggling to read, we dial in to what could be the cause.

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Research has shown that if a child is struggling to read at the end of Grade 11, they could still be struggling by Grade 4, since it’s not one of those skills like getting along with others and following the routines of a classroom that resolves itself. 

But we’ve got some good news for you.

When we shift our focus from "getting it right" to "enjoying the ride," something amazing happens. 

In fact, twice as many little readers who read for fun outside of the classroom, read at an above average level compared to those who don't enjoy it. 

So how do we make reading feel fun?

• Play "Wrong Reader": 

Read aloud and sprinkle in silly mistakes to see if your child can catch you out. After a while, they’ll catch on to the game and get locked in, just waiting to catch you out. 

This is great for keeping them engaged, building their attention span, and making sure they read every word along with you, which is a bonus because they also pay closer attention to the pronunciation of words.

• Mix up the format: 

Try graphic novels, joke books, or even reading song lyrics together. This seems “easier” to your little one and a lot less daunting. Plus, there’s an inherent level of entertainment in these formats.

Keep them entertained while still reading words? What a bargain.

• Turn stories into games: 

Act out the scenes, invent new endings, or "cast" family members as specific characters. 

This helps kids understand how stories are put together and, over time, helps them anticipate a story’s structure.

It’s also just a fun way to create reading memories with the whole family - a key ingredient in making reading fun.

• Celebrate effort over outcome: 

Take notice of when they stick with trying to read and pronounce a tricky word, or stay curious about a story.

Celebrating the little wins goes a long way to encouraging and motivating them to read. With enough encouragement, it can turn even the most reluctant or struggling reader into one with a lifelong love for reading.

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Remember: Fun first, fluency later.

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