How to Help Your Child Fall in Love with Reading and Listening to Stories

Why Some Kids Struggle to Enjoy Reading

You’re not alone if your child squirms at story time or groans when it’s time to read for school. For many children between the ages of 6 and 12, reading can feel like a chore – especially when it’s tied up with school stress, performance pressure, or learning difficulties. Some kids find decoding text tiring. Others would simply rather be doing something more active. As a parent, watching this disconnect can be frustrating, especially when we know how crucial reading is for imagination, language development, and academic success.

But here’s a gentle reminder: helping a child fall in love with reading doesn’t mean forcing more books on them. It means discovering new paths into stories – paths lit with curiosity, comfort, and connection.

The Power of Stories Beyond the Page

Children are natural storytellers and story lovers – just not always in the way we expect. For a child who finds reading difficult, the magic may lie elsewhere: in listening, playacting, or even drawing their own characters. That’s where audiobooks and oral storytelling can become powerful tools. When kids are freed from the mechanics of reading, they can immerse themselves in the narrative, build vocabulary, and experience the world through someone else’s eyes.

Apps like iOS / Android-based LISN Kids offer a wide range of original audiobooks and audio series designed for children aged 3 to 12. Whether your child enjoys laughs, adventures, or dreamy bedtime tales, the gentle audio format can become a soothing ritual or a motivating companion on car rides or downtime.

Create a Ritual, Not a Task

One of the most effective ways to shift your child’s mindset around reading is to change when, where, and how it happens. Instead of assigning 20 minutes of reading every evening, consider weaving story time into home routines in more sensory and relaxed ways:

• Build a cozy reading nest: A small reading corner with a blanket, pillows, and soft lighting can turn reading into a comforting retreat.
• Pair stories with connection: Read alongside your child instead of sending them off solo. Take turns reading lines or pages, or follow along with an audiobook together.
• Add storytelling to your evening rituals: Discover how evening routines can spark your child’s imagination and set the tone for better sleep and emotional regulation.

When story time turns into shared time, children begin to associate it with warmth, restfulness, and closeness – not just effort or obligation.

Stories Fuel Imagination – Make That a Superpower

Reading isn’t just about books. It’s about ideas. Once we let go of a rigid definition of what reading “should” look like, we can tap into what truly engages our kids: curiosity, creativity, and play. Encourage your child to draw scenes from the books they’ve listened to, imagine alternate endings, or act out their favorite characters with stuffed animals or siblings. These kinds of post-story activities make reading more vivid and personal. You’ll find more inspiration in our guide to screen-free creative activities designed with children’s imaginations in mind.

Stories, especially fairy tales and fantasy, can unlock emotional growth, problem-solving, and resilience. If you’re wondering why this matters, take a moment to explore why nurturing imagination is so crucial during the school years.

Every Child's Reading Journey is Different

It’s natural to compare your child with their peers – especially when other kids are devouring chapter books while yours is still reluctant to pick one up. But reading is not a one-size-fits-all path. Some kids will respond to graphic novels or joke books. Others may fall in love with the world of oral storytelling first, and only later begin to enjoy printed stories. There are many valid ways to develop a love of stories, and all of them count.

Need more ideas for opening up this world? This list of games and creative projects can serve as bridges between play and storytelling, particularly for children who are hands-on learners.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to turn your child into a bookworm, but to offer them the joy of stories. And when you meet them where they are – with patience, playfulness, and a few clever tools – you might be surprised how quickly that door can open.