What if your child's biggest reading obstacle isn't their skills, but their belief about themselves as readers?

Many children struggle with reading not because they lack the fundamental abilities, but because they've developed a negative reading identity. When kids say "I'm not good at reading" or "books aren't my thing," they're revealing something profound about how they see themselves in relation to text. This identity shapes everything—their willingness to try, their persistence through challenges, and ultimately, their reading success.

This episode dives deep into three transformative strategies that rebuild a child's reading confidence from the inside out. First, we explore the surprising power of genuine book choice—why letting children select anything that excites them (yes, even those "too easy" graphic novels or Minecraft manuals!) creates the autonomy essential for developing reader identity. You'll hear a poignant bookstore story that demonstrates how well-meaning adults can inadvertently crush a child's reading enthusiasm, and learn how to create a "Yes Shelf" that rebuilds reading confidence through easy wins.

We also challenge the myth that read-alouds should stop once children can decode independently. Continuing to read to older children provides them with rich language exposure without the pressure of performance, creates positive emotional associations with books, and strengthens your connection. The final strategy transforms reading from something kids passively endure into something they actively do through makerspace thinking—building, creating, and problem-solving their way into stories.

Ready to help your child discover the reader within? Download our free STEM story station resource and join us on this journey to create joyful, confident readers—one page at a time. Subscribe for weekly tips that bring connection and confidence back to reading, because helping a child believe they're a reader doesn't start with fluency—it starts with how they feel about books.

🎁 Grab my FREE Communication STEM Story Station to Bring a Book to life!
👉 https://trina-deboree-teaching-and-learning.kit.com/280adbdf11
🔔 Subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

Reading battles don't have to be your nightly reality. Behind every "I hate reading" declaration, focus struggle, or mechanical page-turning lies an opportunity for transformation.

Remember that little girl who proudly announced she hated all books? Two years later, she left my classroom as an enthusiastic reader. What changed wasn't her ability—it was her experience. When children resist reading, they're rarely rejecting stories; they're avoiding feelings of inadequacy or failure. The shift begins when we respond with "I get it, reading can feel hard sometimes" instead of frustration or disappointment.

This episode walks you through practical solutions for three common reading frustrations. For the reluctant reader, we explore how offering choices (graphic novels, joke books, audio books) creates low-pressure wins. For the fidgeter who can't sit still, learn how breaking reading into micro-chunks, allowing intentional movement, and changing environments (reading forts, park visits, trampoline bouncing) can dramatically improve engagement. And for children going through the motions without connection, discover how makerspace thinking transforms passive reading into creative adventures.

The beauty of these approaches lies in their simplicity. You don't need special materials or educational degrees—just a willingness to shift perspectives and prioritize joy. Try tonight's challenges: read anything your child chooses with zero corrections, build a reading fort with a flashlight and snacks, or turn a story into a hands-on project using the free Communication STEM Story Station resource.

Reading struggles aren't roadblocks—they're invitations to try something different. Your child deserves to love books, and you deserve peace at story time. One small change today could spark the reading breakthrough you've been waiting for.

🎁 Grab my FREE Communication STEM Story Station to Bring a Book to life!
👉 https://trina-deboree-teaching-and-learning.kit.com/280adbdf11

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly tips to help kids love reading—for life!

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

What if raising a reader didn't require battles, bribes, or boredom? What if the secret wasn't about forcing more reading minutes, but about transforming how your child feels about books?

This eye-opening episode reveals three deceptively simple daily habits that turn reluctant readers into book lovers. As both an experienced teacher and parent, I share research-backed strategies that make books a natural, joyful part of children's lives rather than another task to check off their to-do list. The approach focuses on creating environments and rituals that foster a love of reading, helping children develop lasting reading identities that extend beyond school assignments.

We examine how traditional approaches often backfire, rendering reading a chore rather than a pleasure. I share personal stories from my classroom and home that demonstrate the power of no-pressure reading rituals, modeling genuine reading enjoyment, and making books interactive experiences. Parents frequently tell me they are primarily concerned with test scores and academic performance. Still, I challenge this perspective by showing how children who love reading naturally excel without the relationship-damaging battles that can arise from forcing them to read.

You'll learn specific, actionable strategies you can implement today, including creating cozy reading moments without rigid rules, making books visible and accessible throughout your home, and transforming reading into a social and interactive experience rather than a solitary task. I also share my "Five-Minute Reading Fix" for busy parents who need quick solutions that actually work.

Ready to raise a child who reaches for books by choice? This episode provides the blueprint for growing readers who not only know how to read but genuinely want to do so. Subscribe now and join our community of parents creating confident, joyful readers one page at a time!

Five Minute Reading Fix

Subscribe and Review:

Are you subscribed to my podcast? If you’re not, I want to encourage you to do that today. I don’t want you to miss an episode. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the mix, and if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out on those. Click here for iTunes.

Now, if you’re feeling extra loving, I would be really grateful if you left me a review over on iTunes, too. Those reviews help other people find my podcast, and they’re also fun for me to go in and read. Click here to leave a review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. Thank you!