Some children take to reading quite naturally. Others need a bit more encouragement, especially when they come across words they don’t recognise or books that feel a little too difficult.

And that’s OK. Not every child is going to love reading straight away.

Building reading confidence takes time. It’s often the little things that make the biggest difference, rather than anything particularly complicated.

The good news is that there are plenty of simple things parents and schools can do to help. Most don’t cost anything either.

Step one: start with what they’re interested in

If your child loves football, they’re probably going to be far more interested in reading something about their favourite team than a book you’ve picked out because you think they should read it.

And that’s absolutely fine.

Reading doesn’t always have to mean sitting down with a storybook.

Comics, magazines, football match reports, recipes and even instructions for building something all count.

The important thing is getting children interested in reading in the first place.

Once they find something they enjoy, they’re more likely to keep going, even when they come across words they find tricky.

Step two: keep reading aloud together

It’s easy to assume that once children can read independently, they don’t need you to read to them anymore.

But there’s no reason to stop.

Reading aloud gives children the chance to hear how words are pronounced, how sentences flow and how a story comes to life.

Plus, it’s a nice way to spend a bit of time together.

You don’t have to read for ages either. Even a chapter at bedtime or a few pages when you’ve got a spare ten minutes can make a difference.

And if your child still enjoys being read to, there’s really no need to rush them into doing everything on their own.

Step three: don’t make a big deal of tricky words

We’ve all had those moments when a child gets stuck on a word and starts getting frustrated.

It’s tempting to jump in straight away, especially when you’ve been sitting there for what feels like ages waiting for them to work it out.

But try giving them a little time first.

If they’re learning phonics, encourage them to sound out the letters and blend the sounds together.

And if they’re really struggling, help them with the word and move on.

The last thing you want is for reading to turn into something they dread because they’re worried about getting things wrong.

Mistakes are part of learning, after all.

Step four: make reading part of the routine

Sometimes the hardest part of getting children to read is actually getting them to sit down and do it.

Especially when there are a hundred other things they’d rather be doing.

Having a regular reading time can help.

It might be ten minutes before bed, after school or whenever works best for your family.

It doesn’t have to be a big thing. Just something that becomes part of the day, a bit like brushing their teeth.

Schools can help with this too, by making time for reading during the school day.

And if parents and teachers keep each other updated about what children are reading and how they’re getting on, it’s much easier to spot when they might need a bit of extra support.

Step five: chat about what they’ve read

Reading isn’t just about being able to recognise the words on a page.

Children also need to understand what they’re reading.

But that doesn’t mean you need to start giving them questions or worksheets every time they finish a chapter.

Sometimes a simple chat is enough.

Ask them what they thought of the story. Which character they liked best. Or what they think might happen next.

You might even find they have quite strong opinions about what a character should or shouldn’t have done!

It all helps children think about what they’ve read, without making it feel like another school task.

And for children who aren’t particularly keen on reading, having someone interested in what they’ve read can be a good reason to carry on.

Step six: let the school help too

Helping children become confident readers isn’t something parents have to do entirely on their own.

Schools play a big part too.

From library time and reading activities to using books across different subjects, there are lots of opportunities for children to build their skills during the school day.

Teachers can also pick up on things that might not be quite so obvious at home.

Perhaps a child is happy reading aloud but struggles to understand what they’ve read. Or maybe they understand everything but feel nervous about reading in front of other people.

Having that support at school can make a real difference.

For families looking for a supportive environment that nurtures a genuine love of reading, it’s worth looking at how reading is encouraged throughout the school day.

Willow Park Senior School is one example of a school that sees reading as an important part of learning across different subjects, rather than something that only happens during English lessons.

And when schools and parents work together, it can help children feel more confident about reading both at home and in the classroom.

Step seven: celebrate the little wins

Finally, don’t forget to notice the progress they’re making.

Maybe they’ve managed to read a whole chapter without asking for help. Finished a book they chose themselves. Or started picking up books without being reminded.

Those things are worth celebrating.

It doesn’t need to be a big reward or anything fancy.

Sometimes just saying, “You read all of that on your own!” is enough to give them a little confidence boost.

Because the more children start to see themselves as someone who can read, the more willing they may be to give something a go.

And really, that’s what it’s all about.

Helping children feel comfortable with reading, rather than making it another thing they have to get right.

There’ll be days when they’re not interested, or a book turns out to be a bit too difficult. That’s normal.

But with a little encouragement, plenty of practice and support from both home and school, reading can gradually become something they feel more confident doing.

And hopefully, something they actually enjoy too.

For more about how a school can support reading and wider learning, visit https://www.willowparkschool.ie/.

This article was contributed by the team at Willow Park Senior School, an independent school in Dublin committed to strong academic foundations and a lifelong love of learning. Willow Park Senior School supports pupils through a broad curriculum, dedicated pastoral care and a reading culture that runs across different subjects.

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