Help! My Toddler Doesn’t Want Me to Read Books Any More

We’ve talked about the importance of destructive play for babies and toddlers. They’re not just making a mess. They’re actually learning. What happens when the destruction is aimed at your books? What happens when toddlers don’t want books read to them?

Recently a mom asked for advice. She says, “My son doesn’t let me read books to him anymore, he just rips it out of my hands and throws the book.” A lot of children go through this stage. I have some suggestions for how to work through it.

My Child Won’t Sit and Listen to Me Read Books

Kids sometimes go through periods where they don’t want to sit and read. Here are some things to try.

Allow Your Child to Play While You Read

You can let your child play with a toy on the floor while you read. He’ll still probably listen. It’s okay for him to engage with toys and have active hands while you read.

You can still ask questions about what’s happening in the story. You can point to picture and show your child different pages. If it seems like your child is not listening to the story or keeps wandering away from your area, then you may want to try another time.

You can even set out an activity that relates to the story you’re reading. See our Goodnight Moon Storytelling Basket for an example.

Have a Routine for Reading Time

Do you have a certain schedule for reading time (like right before bed or nap)? Having a consistent daily routine is helpful for kids to know what’s expected. It’s often helpful to read to kids right before bed as they may be calmer and more likely to listen to the story.

On the other hand, some children may be too tired to focus on the story. They may not enjoy reading right before bed. Try a different time during the day or move up story time within your bedtime routine.

Switch Up Reading Time

If you do have a normal reading time and your child is all of a sudden resistant to reading at that time, try reading at a different time of day and see if he’s more receptive.

Your child might be too tired to listen to the story right before bedtime. Or maybe your child is interested in playing and not wanting to sit and listen right at that moment.

Let Your Child Choose the Book

It could also be the book choices. Your child may not be interested in the books you are choosing. Try letting your child choose the book. (You can set out 2 or 3 options to help speed up the process.)

Giving your child a choice will allow her to feel like she has some control. She may be more likely to listen if she’s chosen the book.

Read Books with Motions or Songs

Try books with motions or songs to help engage your child. Books by Sandra Boynton top my list of favorite books for babies (and toddlers, too)! They are full of rhyming and singing.

I also love books like Hop a Little, Jump a Little by Annie Kubler. Have your child do the motions as you read the book.

Read Age Appropriate Books

Babies and toddlers often prefer books that are shorter. Many of them are not ready for longer picture books.

Choose books with lots of pictures. Board books are often a great choice not only for the durability of the book, but for the number of words per page. When find board book versions of some popular picture books, you’ll notice they’ve cut out some pages and even reduced the number of words.

Change How You Read

You don’t have to read every word on every page. You don’t have to read every page. As the reader, you have control over how the book is read.

You can do a picture walk where you don’t read any words at all. Simply point out the pictures and talk to your child about what is happening on the page.

Try making up the story together with your child.

Interested in more storytelling ideas? Check out these 50+ storytelling ideas.

Don’t Give Up!

My biggest piece of advice is to not give up. Keep trying to read to your child. Try to read to them every day.

Do you have any advice to add?

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