Engaging Reluctant Readers
Tired of the nightly reading battles? Struggling to get your child to open a book because they refuse to read at all costs? Maybe they can read but just don’t want to, or perhaps they struggle with the basics, making reading feel frustrating and exhausting. Or maybe books just can’t compete with screens, sports, or other distractions. No matter the reason, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not failing as a parent.
Welcome to Engaging Reluctant Readers—the podcast for book-loving moms raising reluctant readers. Hosted by Ellen Westbrook, a Literacy Coach (and recovering reluctant reader herself!), this show is here to help you transform your child’s reading journey from dread to must-be read and rediscover family reading fun along the way.
As a mom of two high-energy boys with a degree in Elementary Education, Ellen gets it—the frustration, the worry, and the endless search for ways to make books click for your child. She’s here to bridge the gap between your love of reading and your kiddo’s resistance, helping you understand why they struggle and, more importantly, what actually works.
You won’t find complicated reading strategies or one-size-fits-all advice here. Instead, Ellen shares real-life strategies that fit into your busy days and make reading feel fun instead of forced. From creative ways to build stamina, confidence, and reading skills to strategies that make books more engaging and spark a genuine love of reading, every episode is designed to help you make real progress—without the fights, tears, or frustration.
Each episode is under 30 minutes, packed with actionable tips, and released every Thursday—so you can get quick wins without adding more to your already-full plate.
Because reading should feel fun, not like a chore—and every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode, and let’s rediscover family reading fun—together!
Engaging Reluctant Readers
How to Build Your Child's Reading Stamina (Without the Battles!)
Does your child fidget, rush through books, or lose focus after just a few pages? You're not alone—and no, your child isn’t lazy or “bad at reading.” The real challenge may be reading stamina—and the good news? It’s a skill they can build!
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares practical, low-pressure strategies to help kids stay engaged with books longer—without battles, bribes, or burnout. From choosing the right books to using tools like tag-team reading and timed sprints, you’ll discover how to make reading feel doable and even fun again.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ What reading stamina is—and why it matters for lifelong learning
✔️ How to spot signs your child is struggling to stay focused
✔️ Simple strategies like tag-team reading and sprints to boost endurance
✔️ Why the right book (hello, cliffhangers!) makes a big difference
✔️ How to use e-books, audiobooks, and apps like Epic! to support stamina
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
[00:01:16] What reading stamina is—and how it grows like a muscle
[00:02:10] Why stamina is essential for school and life
[00:02:58] Red flags your child might need more stamina support
[00:04:09] Tag-team reading to share the load
[00:05:01] Reading sprints to boost focus over time
[00:06:25] Why book choice matters (even if it’s Dog Man—again)
[00:07:15] Short chapters and cliffhangers = stamina superstars
[00:08:11] When to push, and when to pause
[00:08:49] Tech tools that support reading without pressure
[00:13:24] Celebrate effort, not just page count
[00:14:30] Shared reading, sibling influence, and modeling
[00:16:32] Sneak peek: Making reading feel like play (coming next episode)
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/06/23/reading-stamina-strategies/
📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/rtUV59YurJ4
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Reading Stamina Tracker Kit—three fun, printable tools to help your child build reading endurance without the battles.
👉 Get it here → https://bit.ly/RSTrackerKit
Grab your Reading Bucket List Bundle with 164 creative reading ideas!
📥 Get it here → https://bit.ly/RBLBundle
🎧Love the podcast? Hit the 5⭐to leave a rating & review!
It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
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[00:00:00] Welcome to the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast. I'm Ellen Westbrook, your host and Recovering Reluctant Reader. Together, we'll tackle reading roadblocks with personalized strategies and out of the box ideas, all while rediscovering the joy of family reading fun. Ready to transform your child's view of reading from dread to must be read?
[00:00:18] Let's dive into today's episode.
[00:00:25] Just a heads up, I wanted to let you know that each episode comes with a full blog post packed with extra tips and resources, so just check the episode description below for the link.
[00:00:34] Have you ever noticed your child losing interest just a few pages into a book or skipping reading altogether? Maybe they start strong, but after a few minutes they're suddenly so thirsty or too tired or absolutely need to tell you something right this second? And honestly, sometimes it's not even an excuse, they really are struggling to stay focused If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
[00:00:53] When you have a reluctant reader, this is totally normal. But here's the good news. Reading stamina isn't something that they either have or don't have. It's something that they can build over time.
[00:01:01] Today I'm breaking down what reading stamina actually is, why it matters, and sharing simple low-pressure strategies to help your child focus longer without turning reading into a chore. Instead of battling through reading time, let's talk about ways to make it easier without the frustration. For both of you.
[00:01:16] So what exactly is reading stamina? Simply put, it's your child's ability to stick with reading for a little longer over time. Kinda like building endurance in sports. Think of it like getting back into the gym after a long break. At first, everything feels tough. You're out of breath, your muscles ache, and you wonder, how did you ever do this before? But the more you show up and the more effort you put in, the easier and more natural it becomes.
[00:01:36] You can't expect them to jump from five-minute reading sessions to an hour-long deep dive overnight. Every extra page, every extra minute, it all adds up. And I get it. When your child's struggling with stamina, it can feel like pulling teeth just to get through a few pages. You might be wondering, does this even matter? My kid can read, so what if they only want to read in short bursts?
[00:01:55] I'm here to tell you that yes, it does, and here's why. Right now, a lot of reading in school is done together as a class. But as they get older, that shifts. Teachers start assigning more independent reading. And by high school and college, they'll be expected to get through several chapters on their own outside of class.
[00:02:10] And it's not just about academics. Reading stamina helps kids push through tricky texts in any subject, not just language arts. The longer they can stay engaged in a book, the better they'll comprehend what they're reading, instead of skimming through and missing details. Not to mention, stamina teaches patience and focus, which, let's be honest, our kids could use more of in a world where everything is instant.
[00:02:30] In fact, the whole reason that reading stamina matters reminds me of that scene in Legally Blonde. You know the one where Elle Woods walks into her first day of law school and the professor immediately starts grilling students on several chapters of reading that were somehow assigned before class even started? And she's the only one who, didn't get the memo.
[00:02:45] Now, obviously, our kids aren't in law school, but the concept's still the same. Eventually, they'll need to be able to read and retain longer texts on their own without someone guiding them through every step. The more stamina they build now, the more confident and capable they'll feel later on.
[00:02:58] So how can you tell if your child's reading stamina could use a boost? Maybe they avoid reading altogether or lose interest after just a few pages. You sit down to read and within minutes they're fidgeting, glancing around the room, or suddenly remembering something very important that they have to do right this second. Or maybe they stick with the book, but they're not really engaged. They're skimming, skipping parts, and by the time you ask them about what they just read, they have no idea. Some kids try to work around it by only picking books that are way below their reading level. This way they can just fly through them and be done as quickly as possible. And hey, I get it. If something feels difficult, of course they're going to look for shortcuts.
[00:03:32] But here's something important to keep in mind. If you've been working with them to build stamina and you're still seeing these same struggles, there might be something more going on. Maybe they're dealing with a learning difficulty that hasn't been identified yet. Maybe they need glasses. Or maybe they just haven't found books that actually spark their interest. That's why paying attention to these little signs matters. It's not about pushing them past their limits. It's about recognizing when they're struggling so you can support them in a way that actually helps.
[00:03:55] So now that we know why reading stamina matters, let's talk about how to build it. Because like anything else, it takes time, practice, and the right approach. The key here is starting where they are and slowly stretching their ability to focus without making reading feel like work. If you push too hard too fast, it's going to backfire.
[00:04:09] One of my favorite ways, to start, tag-team reading. If reading alone feels overwhelming, take turns. You read a paragraph. a page, or even a whole chapter. Then they take over and do the same. This makes reading feel less like a chore, more like something that you're doing together. It takes off the pressure and keeps them engaged without overwhelming them.
[00:04:25] This is how JD started building his stamina. We started with just a few pages, then half a chapter, then a full chapter, and eventually he started reading past his turn because he wanted to know what happened next and wasn't going to be patient enough waiting for me to start. That was a huge shift because before that he was constantly checking how much he had left, trying to rush through it. But once we found a rhythm, he stopped counting pages, and he just started reading.
[00:04:45] I'll tell you what made a big difference for him, the right book, the "Dragon Master" series, worked really well because each chapter ended with a small cliffhanger. That little push to turn the page helped him keep going. And once he started the next chapter, it only made sense to finish it. Books like that make a big difference when kids are still building their reading endurance.
[00:05:01] Now, for kids who really struggle with focus, another great tool is reading sprints. Just set a timer for however long they're already comfortable reading, even if that's only three minutes. Then, over time, you gradually increase it, just a little at a time. Some days they'll surprise themselves by reading longer than expected. Other days they might barely make it through. But both are steps forward.
[00:05:19] If your kid's competitive, they might like sneaking glances at the timer and pushing themselves to keep going. But if the countdown stresses them out, keep the timer out of sight and just track it yourself.
[00:05:28] Another thing that can help, background noise. Now I know that sounds counterintuitive. Like, shouldn't they be reading in silence? But for some kids, absolute quiet is distracting. If I can hear every little noise in the room, my brain starts focusing on that instead of what I'm reading. That's why audiobooks have always worked really well for me. For kids who get antsy with silence, just try playing some low instrumental music in the background. Nothing too distracting, something that fills the space a little. It doesn't have to be classical music, just something they find pleasant.
[00:05:53] Another great approach is personalized reading challenges. This is perfect for kids who thrive on earning rewards. You work with them to set a goal that feels slightly out of reach. Not impossible, but something they have to work toward. Let's say the goal is 300 minutes of reading in a month, which sounds like a lot, but if you break it down, it's only 10 minutes a day. If that still feels too big, start smaller. And if your kid likes tracking progress, make it fun; sticker charts, checklists, reading logs, whatever keeps them engaged. Every time they hit a milestone, whether it's reading for a certain number of minutes, finishing a book, or sticking with a longer chapter, you celebrate it.
[00:06:25] For JD, graphic novels made a big difference. And as much as I hated that he only wanted to read "Dog Man" and "Captain Underpants" I eventually just had to let it go. Because at the end of the day, Reading is reading. And the moment I stopped fighting it and let him read what he liked, his stamina started building on its own.
[00:06:40] And that's the biggest takeaway I want you to have here. Meeting your kid where they are and helping them take small steps forward. Building reading stamina isn't just about encouraging kids to read longer. It's about setting them up for success, so reading doesn't feel like an uphill battle. That starts with picking the right books and knowing when to gently push them forward and when to give them space.
[00:06:56] If your child's struggling with stamina, the books they're reading matter a lot. Ideally, you want books that give them quick wins so they can see their own progress. Nothing kills momentum faster than feeling like they've been reading forever and barely making a dent in a book. That's why books with natural breaks, short chapters, built in illustrations, or even just more white space on the page can make a big difference.
[00:07:15] And here's a little trick. Cliffhanger's work wonders. You ever tell yourself, I'm just gonna read one more chapter before bed and then suddenly an hour later you're still reading? Because every chapter ends on a, but what happens next moment? Yeah, kids feel that too. That's why books like "Dragon Masters" or "Magic Treehouse" series are great. They leave just enough unanswered at the end of each chapter to make kids want to turn the page.
[00:07:35] And if you can find a series they love, even better. When kids get attached to a certain character's, storylines, they naturally want to keep reading and that's what we're aiming for.
[00:07:42] And here's something parents don't always think about. Rereading favorite books can actually help build stamina. When your child wants to read the same book for the fifth time, it's tempting to say, can we try something new? But rereading actually has huge benefits. They're already familiar with the story, so they don't have to work as hard to follow along. That means they can focus on reading longer, instead of getting bogged down and decoding every word. And sometimes they pick up on new details they missed before, so even though it's the same book, they're still learning. So, if they want to read the same book, let them. It's all part of the process.
[00:08:11] Now let's talk about knowing when to push and when to pause. There's a fine line between encouraging them to read longer and pushing too hard to the point where they shut down. If they're tired, hungry, or just not in the right headspace, pushing them to read more is only going to make things worse. That's when you gotta let them take a break, take a step back. But if they're just mildly resistant, that's when you push a little, like "Hey, let's just do one more page and then we'll stop." Those little moments where they stretch just beyond their comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed are what help build stamina over time.
[00:08:39] The second reading starts to feel like a chore, they're gonna resist it. So instead of focusing on how much they're reading, focus on the experience. Make reading something they actually look forward to, not something they have to get through.
[00:08:49] Which brings me to one of my favorite tools for reluctant readers. Technology. I know, some parents hesitate when it comes to using technology for reading. I totally get it. there's this idea that reading should be a traditional experience with a physical book in hand. And if that's what works for your kids, awesome! But for some kids, especially reluctant readers, technology can make reading feel more accessible and less like work.
[00:09:10] Take e-books for example. If your child struggles with stamina, holding a big, heavy book can actually be tiring. E-readers let them adjust the font size, see fewer words per page, which can make reading feel less overwhelming. One cool feature with Kindle is WhisperSync, which lets kids sync an audiobook with the e-book so they can listen and follow along with the text at the same time. This is kind of like training wheels for reading, helping them build confidence and stick with longer books without getting frustrated. Now I will say, that is going to require you to purchase both the audiobook and the e-book, so, it is a bit more costly.
[00:09:40] If you have an Echo Dot, you can actually have Alexa read aloud from your Kindle books, and this can obviously be a cheaper alternative to WhisperSync. You just have to enable the feature and give them access to the books.
[00:09:50] Now let's talk about Epic! because this is hands down one of our favorite reading tools in this house. We've been using Epic! for years and there's so much to love about it. First of all, there are thousands of books to choose from which means no more, " I don't have anything to read." They have read-to-me books and audiobooks for when they need a break from decoding but still want to engage with the story. And that's a huge part of why Epic! works so well, the read aloud and audiobook options make it easy for kids to follow along. Instead of having to tackle the process of decoding every time they read, learning to enjoy stories for just the gripping content is half the battle. Once they realize they actually like getting lost in a good plot, become invested in what happens to their favorite characters, it makes working on their decoding and other reading skills feel more worth the effort.
[00:10:29] And one of the best parts, they gamify the experience. Kids earn badges for reading different books, unlock new reading buddies, and eventually they can customize those reading buddies as they hit new milestones. It keeps them engaged, and let's be honest, a little competition never hurts.
[00:10:42] Also, I love that it tracks what they read. It keeps a record of reading time and lets us save favorites, so we don't have to go searching for them again. And since I can set up multiple profiles, both my kids have their own space to track progress. The recommendations even grow with them based on their age. So, they're always getting books at the right level.
[00:10:57] The search function is another feature we use all the time. If JD finds a series he likes, we can easily find the next book, or search for another book on a similar topic. And I really appreciate that all the videos are educational, so I don't have to worry about them wandering into content that's not exactly what I want them to be watching.
[00:11:12] The only downside is that some of the more commercial series, like "Percy Jackson" or "I Survived," aren't available. But there's still a huge variety, so we found plenty of books to keep coming back to. It's a subscription-based app, but honestly, for what it offers, I think it's totally worth it. If your child's school uses Epic! you might be able to get access for free through their classroom account. Otherwise, the free version gives you one book per day, which is still a great option if you're just looking to test it out.
[00:11:35] Now another great app is Skybrary. Skybrary takes interactive storytelling to the next level. The illustrations aren't just static, they actually move as the story is read aloud. If you have a reluctant reader who loves video games or animated shows, this is a great way to bridge the gap and get them engaged with books in a new way.
[00:11:50] And of course, audiobooks are another great tool for reluctant readers. We love Audible for road trips and listening to the "Harry Potter" series as a family has been one of our favorite ways to enjoy books together without it feeling like reading time. Audiobooks still count as reading, and they can help build listening comprehension and vocabulary even when kids aren't actively decoding the words.
[00:12:08] Tools like e-books and audiobooks can make reading more approachable, but they won't erase resistance entirely. If your child's still pushing back, that doesn't mean they're never going to enjoy reading. It just means there's something else going on beneath the surface and figuring out what that is can make all the difference.
[00:12:21] As a book lover, I know how frustrating it can be when your child pushes back on reading. It's hard not to think, why can't they just sit and read like I did? But here's the thing. We can't expect kids to love reading if it constantly feels like a struggle. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that resistance doesn't always mean that they hate reading. Sometimes they're just tired. Sometimes they're overwhelmed and sometimes they just haven't built up the stamina yet, which is exactly what we're working on. That's why it's so important to normalize the frustration they might be feeling. Instead of jumping in with, "Come on, just read a little more," try acknowledging their struggle first. " I know reading feels tough sometimes, but that just means we're building our reading muscles." Just like with new sports or learning a new instrument, reading stamina takes time. The more they do it, the easier it'll get. But that doesn't happen overnight.
[00:13:02] When JD first started working on reading longer books. He'd groan before even opening the book. He'd sit there flipping pages just to see how many were left instead of actually reading. I had to keep reminding him, this isn't about rushing through as many pages as possible. What matters is staying with the story a little longer than last time. And honestly, it helped. He started focusing more on the effort instead of the page count. And eventually he stopped tracking how much was left and just got into the story.
[00:13:24] That's exactly why we have to celebrate effort, not just results. If they read it a little longer than they did last time, that's progress. If they stick with the book they might have given up on before, that's progress. The goal isn't reading as much as possible. And we need to make sure they know it. "Wow, you stuck with that book for 15 minutes, that's awesome!" They need to hear, that their effort's paying off, especially when they can't see it yet in themselves.
[00:13:44] Leading by example is another great way to build their reading stamina. Let them see you reading. Kids pick up on what we do way more than what we say. If they see us scrolling on our phones while we tell them to go read, they're going to feel like it's a forced activity, something they have to do instead of something people want to do.
[00:13:58] Talk to them about your own experience with reading. "You know, I wasn't always able to read long books either. It took me a while to build up to it, but the more I read, the easier it got." Let them know that reading longer books takes time for everyone. Not just them. Share a time when you had to push yourself to keep going. Maybe a book that felt endless at first but ended up being worth it. Because the truth is, kids don't always see that struggle is part of the process. They just think, I'm not good at this, and give up. Showing them that even as adults, we have to work through challenges, can help them realize that it's not about being bad at reading. It's about practice.
[00:14:30] Another way to keep them motivated. Make reading a shared experience. If they're struggling to read on their own, try turning it into a family activity. What if we all read the same book and talked about our favorite parts over dinner? Kids who feel like they're the only one who has to sit down and read are going to push back a lot more than kids who see it as something that everyone does.
[00:14:46] If they have siblings, get them involved. Even the younger ones. JD used to read "School of Monsters" to Hunter, and that was the first time Hunter really sat through a longer book. He wasn't reading on his own yet, but just hearing JD read made him excited about books, which is exactly what we want.
[00:14:59] And honestly, that's the whole goal here. Building reading stamina isn't just about reading longer, it's about helping kids enjoy stories, so they actually want to keep going.
[00:15:07] Here's what actually helps.
[00:15:08] Choose books that keep them engaged. Books with shorter chapters, clear stopping points, or cliffhangers can make a huge difference and help keep them invested and more likely to push through.
[00:15:16] Try creative strategies to build stamina like tag-team reading, reading sprints, and personalized reading challenges to build their stamina up over time.
[00:15:23] Encourage but don't force it. Some resistance is normal, but if they're exhausted, frustrated, or mentally checked out, it's okay to pause and try again later.
[00:15:30] Don't be afraid to use technology to remove barriers. E-readers, audiobooks, and apps like Epic! and Skybrary can help kids access stories in ways that feel more approachable and opens the opportunity to just follow along, so they can just stick with books longer without frustration.
[00:15:42] Talk about books. Help shift the way they see reading from something they have to do to something they get to do for fun.
[00:15:48] Now before you go, I want you to take action. I want you to pick one strategy from today's episode and try it with your child. If it works, fantastic. If it doesn't, no big deal. You can adjust and try again.
[00:15:57] And if you're feeling stuck, let's chat. Send me a DM over on Instagram @engagingreluctantreaders, all one word, and let's figure it out together. Tell me what's working, what's not, and what your biggest struggle is right now. Because no two kids are the same, and sometimes finding the right approach is just a matter of trial and error. So keep going, keep experimenting, and most of all, keep reading together.
[00:16:15] The more we help them build stamina in a way that works for them, the more they'll start to see reading as something they actually want to do, not something they have to endure.
[00:16:22] Reading doesn't always click right away, and let's be honest, if it feels like work, kids are going to tune out fast. But what if story time didn't just feel like sitting down with a book? What if it felt more like play?
[00:16:32] In the next episode, I'm sharing fun, creative ways to make reading more interactive without adding more to your already full plate. Whether it's bringing characters to life with silly voices, turning your living room into a mini stage, or switching up where, how, and who you read with, these simple ideas can make reading something your kids actually look forward to. No complicated crafts, no elaborate prep, just easy engaging ways to turn story time into something that sticks.
[00:16:54] Looking for more details? There's a full blog post with extra tips and resources for each episode. You'll find the link for this week's episode in the description.
[00:17:00] Thanks so much for tuning into today's episode. If you're loving the Engaging Reluctant Readers podcast, I'd love it if you could leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, so these strategies can be shared to take more kiddos from dread to must-be read.
[00:17:14] Are you ready to spark some reading inspiration?
[00:17:16] Head on over to bit.ly/RBLBundle to get your free Reading Bucket List Bundle. With 164 inspiring ideas, you can give your child the power to choose where, what, and how they embark on their reading adventures and embrace reading on their own terms. No more pulling teeth, just excitement and a genuine love for stories anytime, anywhere.
[00:17:38] By snagging your bundle, you'll stay in the reading groove and never miss out on upcoming episodes. Until next time, this is Ellen Westbrook wishing you, happy reading!