Does your child typically put down a book halfway through? Not wanting to finish a book can often indicate frustration in striving readers, a loss of interest in the topic, or simply a mismatch altogether. There are a number of reasons why a child may abandon a book, but luckily, there are ways to still nurture a love of reading in your child.
Below are three common reasons for not finishing a book — plus strategies to give your child the tools they need to get to the very last page.
1. Your child may be overwhelmed by the number of words on the page.
Sometimes the sheer number of words on a page can intimidate a young reader, especially if they’re just transitioning to chapter books.
Karen Burke, senior vice president of data analysis and academic planning at Scholastic Education, suggests partner reading: You and your child take turns reading a page aloud to one another and asking questions after each page. This method not only increases your child’s reading stamina, but the conversation you have after each page will help build reading comprehension skills.
Try This: Explore Branches books, which are designed to ease kids from picture books to chapter books. Acorn book series are also a wonderful way to encourage your child to read with characters they'll love to come back to.
2. They may not be able to read all the words on the page.
If your child is struggling to finish a book, it’s possible they don’t understand many of the words they’re encounterting. (You can find the right book for your child’s level using the five-finger rule.)
Try This: To help your child build their vocabulary, Burke suggests using a variety of words in everyday speech with them. Use complex words like “chaotic” and “preposterous” in conversation with your child, talk to them about the meaning of these new words, and then encourage your child to use them, too.
3. Your child may not love what they’re reading.
In most cases, abandoning a book comes down to children not finding books that truly engage and interest them. “Children should be able to truly read for pleasure, and that means they pick the book,” says Burke.
Even if your bookshelves at home are lined with award winners, those books may not pique your child’s interest just yet — or ever! Every child is different, and interests vary and evolve over time. Think about what topics your child is passionate and curious about, and what scenarios they connect with emotionally.
Try This: Explore different books based on what your child is currently interested in. From dinosaurs to animals and beyond, trying different genres and connecting what your child reads to the world around them (like going to the museum to see dinosaur bones after reading a book about dinosaurs together) brings their reading to life!
Start with popular collections, packs, and page-turners for every age below now! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
