Kids who read widely build vocabulary, background knowledge, and empathy. They also tend to do better across all subjects—not just English. Reading feeds every learning domain.
But forced reading kills reading. A child who reads books because you make them is learning to hate reading, not love it. That's the opposite of the goal.
Before Year 1: Read aloud every single day. Not for learning letters. For the fact that stories are magic. Your voice, the sounds, sitting together. That's the neural pathway for loving books.
Primary years: Keep reading aloud even after they can read. Shared books are connection. Plus they hear story-like language that improves their writing later.
Let them choose. Comics, graphic novels, manga, "easy readers," fantasy, non-fiction. Doesn't matter. If they're reading, it's working.
"I don't like reading" often means: "I can't read easily" or "I've never found a book I care about" or "I don't want to do schoolwork disguised as pleasure."
Diagnose first. If they can't read fluently, that's a skill issue (phonics, sight words). Get support from the school. Pushing harder builds shame, not skill.
If they can read but won't: books in surprising places. Comic strips in the toilet. Graphic novels on the coffee table. Manga at the sofa. Audiobooks on car rides. No discussion, no "you should read." Just access.
Teenagers reading less is normal. They're busy, social, and have phones. Fighting that is exhausting.
What works: letting them find their niche. Sci-fi, fantasy, romance, non-fiction (sports memoirs, true crime for older teens). A teen who reads fantasy obsessively is still a reader, even if it's not "literary".
Audiobooks count. Podcasts with transcripts count. Graphic novels count. The goal isn't a specific format—it's engagement with stories and ideas.
Your local library probably has: books (obvs), graphic novels, audiobooks, DVDs, magazines, computers. Many have teen programs and events. Some have access to ebook platforms (Libby is free in Australia).
Let your child get their own library card and choose their own books. Ownership and independence build investment.
No overdue fines at many Australian libraries now. That's great—less guilt, more visiting.
