October is here, which means pumpkins on porches, kids plotting their costumes, and more candy wrappers than your trash can can handle. However, it’s also the perfect season to cozy up with your child and a good book. The only catch? Not every child thinks reading is as exciting as trick-or-treating. Some see it as a chore - maybe necessary but far from exciting. 

For many families, reading time feels less like a cozy bonding moment and more like a bedtime battle. You’re tired, they’re distracted, and suddenly books feel like another item on the to-do list instead of something fun. Getting your child excited about reading doesn’t always come with the same level of enthusiasm as getting them dressed in spooky costumes or seeing them watch their favorite TV show. 

But here’s the good news -  with the right approach, reading doesn’t have to feel like homework. In honor of National Book Month, let’s talk about the three biggest hurdles that children face when learning to read - decoding fluency/phonics, comprehension, and poor vocabulary and how you, as a parent, can turn those challenges into fun, even spooky, opportunities to raise confident, lifelong readers.

The Struggle with decoding fluency/phonics

Decoding phonics is all about matching letters to sounds, and it’s usually the first bump in the road when your child starts learning to read. 

How do you solve this? 

Phonics doesn’t have to feel like homework. You could try turning it into a game: 

• Spooky Word Hunts: Write Halloween words (bat, web, ghost, pumpkin, candy) out and hide them around the house. Each time your child finds one, they sound it out. 

• Silly Voices: Have them read new words in their best zombie or witchy voice. You’ll soon realize that mistakes don’t feel so heavy when everyone’s laughing.

• Letter Potions: Toss some letters into a bowl and let your child “brew” them. When they read them out loud, it feels more like magic than practice.

Children need lots of decoding practice, but when you mix in fun, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like play. Give it a try today. 

Comprehension 

Your child reads the words fine, but when you ask, “So what’s the story about?” they give you the blankest stare you’ve ever seen. That’s the comprehension hurdle -  reading the words but not connecting with the meaning. How do you turn this challenge into something exciting? 

Instead of asking, “What happened first?”, why don’t you try these questions: 

• Visualize the scene: While reading, pause mid-story and ask, “What do you picture in your head right now?” or “Can you draw the haunted house the character just walked into?” When kids create mental images, comprehension becomes easy.

• Make Predictions: Stop before the big reveal and ask, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Do you think the mummy is friendly or scary?” Guessing keeps them engaged and invested in the story.

• Summarize in their own words: After a page or chapter, ask them to retell it like a mini-story. If they can explain it simply, they’ve understood it.

Vocabulary

Your child could also be avoiding reading because they hit too many words they don’t know. It’s frustrating, like trying to play a video game without knowing the controls. Children with little vocabulary often avoid books because every page feels like a maze of unknown words.

Here’s how you can help grow their word bank without it feeling like schoolwork:

• Word of the day (Halloween edition): Pick a spooky word like creepy or fang. Challenge your child to use it five times that day - in conversation, in a silly joke, or even when describing dinner. The more they use it, the more it sticks.

• Spooky Dictionary: Give your child a little word journal decorated with pumpkins or candy. Every time they discover a new word, let them doodle it, write a silly definition first, then the correct one. By making the word their own, they’ll remember it.

• Word Play: Swap out everyday words with funny synonyms. Instead of “tired,” say “zombie-tired.” Instead of “hungry,” say “monster-hungry.” Playing with words builds vocabulary naturally.

When kids see new words as tools instead of obstacles, their confidence grows, and so does their love for reading.

Bringing it all together 

Reading is about sparking imagination, building empathy, and giving your child the confidence to explore the world. What matters most is that your child feels encouraged, not pressured. They don’t need to be perfect. They need patience, playfulness, and your support. Try fun twists like silly voices or word hunts to keep your child excited about books.

And for a little extra inspiration, check out Corage Doll’s “Don’t Give Up, Aaliyah”!; a story that reminds children to dream big and never give up.