If you’re here, chances are you care deeply about your child’s reading — but something isn’t quite clicking.

Maybe they can read, but don’t choose to.
Maybe books feel overwhelming.
Maybe reading has started to feel like another thing they’re “supposed” to do.

You’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.

The good news is that encouraging a child to read doesn’t have to involve pressure, rewards charts, or forcing them through books they’re not ready for. Often, it’s about changing the shape of reading — not pushing harder.

1. Why reading can feel overwhelming for some children

For many children, reading isn’t just about decoding words. It’s about confidence.

Big books can look intimidating. Pages feel endless. There’s an unspoken expectation to finish, to remember what happened, to keep up. For a child who’s still building confidence, that can quietly turn reading into something stressful rather than enjoyable.

Even children who are perfectly capable readers can hesitate if reading feels like a test instead of an adventure.

When that happens, avoidance is a natural response.

If you’re feeling stuck because your child actively avoids reading, this guide on what to do if your child won’t read may help.

2. Why big books can put kids off early

Books are wonderful — but they aren’t always the best starting point.

From an adult’s perspective, a chapter book feels manageable. From a child’s perspective, it can feel like a mountain. Long chapters, dense pages, and unfamiliar vocabulary all stack up.

If a child feels they’ve “failed” to finish books before, they may start to believe reading just isn’t for them.

That belief matters far more than reading level.

3. The power of short, manageable reads

One of the simplest ways to encourage reading is to reduce the emotional weight of it. Short reads:

• Feel achievable

• Have a clear beginning and end

• Give children a sense of completion

When a child finishes something on their own, it builds confidence quietly. No pressure. No fanfare. Just the feeling of “I did that.”

That confidence is what carries them forward.

4. Making reading feel special (not like homework)

Children are remarkably good at sensing when something has become an obligation.

If reading always happens at the same time as homework, or comes with reminders and nudges, it can start to feel like a chore — even if the story itself is good.

On the other hand, when reading feels special or different, children engage with it in a new way. This might mean:

• Reading in a cosy spot

• Reading something that arrives just for them

• Reading in small bursts, without expectation

The goal isn’t more reading — it’s better feelings about reading.

You may also find these reading activities for children aged 7–12 helpful if you’re looking for practical ideas to try at home.

5. Letting children build confidence on their own terms

One of the most powerful things you can give a child is ownership.

When children choose to read — even briefly — it changes how they see themselves. They’re no longer “being encouraged”; they’re deciding. That might look like:

• Reading a few pages and stopping

• Reading silently without discussion

• Reading something unconventional

All of it counts.

Progress in reading confidence is rarely loud or obvious. It’s gradual, internal, and deeply personal.

6. Why anticipation and routine help

Children respond well to rhythm.

When reading becomes something that happens regularly — without being forced — it starts to feel safe and familiar. Add a sense of anticipation, and reading becomes something to look forward to.

This is why weekly rhythms work so well. A little story at a time. Space to absorb it. No rush to move on.

It mirrors how many children naturally engage with stories when given the chance.

7. A gentle example: weekly letters instead of big books

Some parents find that replacing books temporarily with short weekly stories can help reset a child’s relationship with reading.

Receiving a letter addressed just to them.
Reading a few pages instead of a whole book.
Following a story that unfolds slowly over time.

That’s the idea behind Epic Letter Club — not as a replacement for books, but as another tool parents can try when books feel like too much.

Six short letters. One a week. No screens. No pressure. Just story.

8. A final reassurance for parents

If your child isn’t choosing books right now, it doesn’t mean they dislike reading. Often, it means they haven’t yet found a way into it that feels safe and manageable.

Encouraging reading isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about making reading feel possible again.

Small wins matter. Confidence compounds. And sometimes, a gentler path is the one that leads children back to books — in their own time.

How to Encourage a Child to Read (Without Pressure or Big Books)