Answering the Top Questions Parents Have About Their Children's Reading

Here at 2W2L we are BIG fans of reading, but does that naturally mean our kids always have been? Of course not. But with years of experience in teaching we know the tricks of the trade to help encourage them to become happy little book worms. So here are some of your questions answered and our secrets explained…

What does it mean to be a reluctant reader? 

For children, there can be many times when they are reluctant to read or pick up books. This is all part of typical development. It might be the case that one minute you have a toddler who grabs a book for you to flick through at any opportunity, to suddenly realising months have gone by and there is dust on your bookshelf where it has remain untouched. This is common as children discover their interests and move between play schemas. It is also the case that some children can lose interest in reading when they start school as it seems to feel compulsory and more pressured. There can also be a shift as children become older and go from picture books to chapter books, and they find that leap tricky to adjust to. There are many reasons that children might become reluctant to read, but don’t worry we can help you gently encourage them back to the bookshelf willingly! 

Liz's daughter enjoying her reading corner

What’s the different between reluctant and struggling? 

In our 2W2L Guide for Reluctant Readers we talk your though lots of ways children might be reluctant to read but we also talk about how for some, it is more that just reluctance. If they are reluctant, it’s more that they just don’t opt for it as an entertainment option or that they are trying to get out of doing reading at home or not wanting to read the books sent home from school. 

This could be a sign that they are struggling with reading, as a child might be trying to avoid it because they are finding it particularly difficult. It is worth discussing with their class teacher any concerns you might have to see what you might think the reason for their reluctance is, and try to figure out a reason first. Does the teacher feel they are struggling or just that perhaps their confidence is low and they need a little encouragement and support? 

Children might struggle to read for many different reasons. They might have an issue with their sight, they might have dyslexia, they might have other developmental challenges that prevent them from processing the words on the page, they might have an issue with their attention span, or a physical disability that means reading is particularly challenging. These are all worth exploring if your child is really finding reading a struggle, and it is worth speaking to a doctor or health worker if you have any of these concerns. Our guide could be a good place to start in the meantime, as we offer ideas for play-based learning which support all children, no matter their level or challenges. 

For other children it might simply be that they find the school books boring, it isn’t challenging them enough, everything else around them seems a more fun option or they find reading too sedentary an activity as they prefer to move and jump about with all their energy. This is where we come in, as our games intertwine reading with all kinds of explorative play and energetic fun! 

Why do they lose interest? 

Some children lose interest in reading as they get older. This could be for a number of reasons, one of which might be that they have access to different toys or screen time that takes their attention. It might also be that they haven’t found the type of book they really get the most from. For some children, novels and stories just isn’t their thing. They prefer fact books or true life stories. For some children they might prefer magazine formats or comics. For some an audio book or an e-book might be a better fit. It is about finding out what suits them best to bring reading back into their life. We talk about more ways to do this in our guide and our favourite book series that got our own kids into reading for pleasure are linked on our Amazon Shop.

It all counts - even reading signs when out and about!

What are the reading levels and how important are they? 

Primary schools often have reading levels that children move up through as their reading develops. These levels can often be a source of contention or difficulty for parents as we don’t know what they mean or why and when a child is moving between them. Essentially, unless the teacher specifically asks to speak to you about your child’s reading then we really don’t need to know. Children will be regularly read with and assessed as to whether the level of books they are reading is appropriate for them. They will be moved up a level when they hit certain criteria which includes their fluency but also their use of expression and the understanding of the text they read. This is why in our guide we cover reading comprehension, with fun games and activities to encourage them to truly understand what they are reading about. 

There is really no point in comparing your own child’s reading journey with others. They will make progress that suits their own rate of learning. Some children will sit at a level for ages and then suddenly jump three levels in a month. Others will make steady progress. It isn’t a race. The first child to reach the top level doesn’t automatically get offered a place at Oxford University and become the most successful person in the world! It’s just as important to make reading for pleasure as a part of life, as it is to go up the levels, so stop asking Mrs Blogg’s down the road what level her child is on, take the pressure off of you and your child, and instead follow our fun games and activities to make reading a joy for all!