With a high number of students learning online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of time children spend in front of screens has greatly increased. As a parent, you’ll want to encourage your children to take a break from their devices to reduce physical and mental fatigue. One activity you can encourage them to do is reading, however, it is often the last thing most high school-aged kids want to do. There are a number of ways parents can encourage their teens to get excited about cracking open a book. If your child is a reluctant reader, try following these tips.

How to Get High School Teens to Read

1. Give Them the Freedom to Choose

One of the best ways to nurture your child’s interest in reading is to allow them to choose material they find interesting. This could include a comic book, young adult series, nature magazine, or Greek mythology book.

As long as it’s age- and content-appropriate, don’t discourage them if they select a genre or subject matter that’s not your favorite. The point is to get them reading, and they’re much more likely to do so on their own if they can read about topics that excite them.

2. Find Books at the Right Reading Level


Look for books that are specifically recommended for reluctant readers. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) regularly publishes selections for reluctant young adult readers. They also have a helpful Teen Book Finder Database. There are other pro-literary organizations and educational publishers that offer suggestions, including Story Shares and Saddleback.

3. Initiate Discussions About Their Reading Materials

Encouraging your teen to talk about the books they are reading will help them develop key critical thinking skills. Ask them what they like best about the story or subject matter, and who their favorite characters are and why. You could also have your child read a short passage before sitting down to dinner and then discuss the material over a meal.

4. Be a Good Role Model

Even if it doesn’t always feel like it, teens look up to their parents and often take cues from what they do and say. The more a child sees you read, the more likely they are to pick up a book themselves. In addition to your own favorites, fill the home’s bookshelves with reading materials your children enjoy. 

If you’re looking for an education that will excite your child about reading, consider Hawaii Baptist Academy High School in Honolulu. This private Christian school was established in 1949, and its progressive curriculums feature credits in core studies, world languages, physical education, and art. To learn about the school’s admissions process, visit their website. Call (808) 536-6830 for more information about kindergarten through sixth grade, or dial (808) 595-7585 to speak with a staff member about middle and high school.