Encouraging literacy in the middle and high school years

It’s a phrase no parent wants to hear: “I hate reading.”
For many families, these words feel like a punch to the gut — especially when they come from a middle or high schooler who once enjoyed bedtime stories or storytime at school.

If your child is expressing frustration or outright resistance to reading, you are not alone. Many parents face the same challenge, and it can be difficult to know how to respond. But here’s the good news: with insight, empathy, and the right support, your child’s relationship with reading can change — even thrive.

Let’s take a closer look at what might be behind these words and explore ways to offer meaningful help with reading difficulties at home and beyond.

For many teens, the ACT feels like a mountain they’re not sure how to climb. For students with dyslexia or other learning differences, the anxiety tied to ACT test preparation can be even more intense.

But here’s the good news: as a parent, you play a huge role in shaping how your teen approaches the challenge. With the right mindset and tools, you can help your child move from stressed and stuck to confident and capable—and you don’t have to be a test expert to do it.

Do you want to read more with your kids at home, but by the end of a long day, you find yourself too tired to read aloud before lights out? You’re not alone! Between work, sports, homework, and household chores, evenings are more packed than ever for parents with school-age kids.

Many parents expect reading struggles to be obvious—like their child not being able to read at all or failing reading tests. However, some signs of reading difficulties are subtle and easy to overlook. Children who struggle with reading may develop coping strategies that mask their difficulties, making it challenging for parents and teachers to recognize the problem early. Bright kids can often cover up their reading struggles very well in the early years. Yet, swift identification is key to helping children before frustration and self-doubt take over.

Every parent wants their child to develop strong reading skills, but fostering a love for books can be challenging—especially as kids grow older and schedules become busier. Research has consistently shown that regular reading significantly impacts vocabulary, comprehension, and overall academic success. According to the National Education Association, children who are read to for just 20 minutes a day are exposed to approximately 1.8 million words per year, providing them with a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Does your child struggle to stay focused during reading or seem frustrated with their schoolwork? You’re not alone. Many parents notice that their child’s difficulties with attention also seem to affect their ability to read and learn effectively. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common condition that can impact many areas of a child’s life, including their reading skills. At Read Write Learning Center, we understand the challenges that come with ADHD and learning difficulties, and we’re here to help. In this post, we’ll explore the connection between ADHD and reading struggles and provide actionable steps to support your child.

I was fortunate to be diagnosed with dyslexia at an earlier age when I was in K4. Additionally, I am fortunate to have support from family, teachers, and tutors who have shown me that being dyslexic is actually more of a gift than a disability.

Dyslexia is a well-known language-based learning disability that affects approximately 1 in 5 children. Most people associate dyslexia with reading and spelling challenges, but its impact extends to other areas, including handwriting. For students with dyslexia, messy letters can sometimes obscure the brilliance of their mighty minds.

Dyslexia-specific therapy can help kids with learning disabilities break the code of written language and become successful readers! Dyslexia is a learning disability that impacts reading, writing, and spelling at the word level. Students with dyslexia have trouble figuring out the words on the page. This often blocks their ability to comprehend what they read, but dyslexia is not a comprehension disability. If these same kids hear a text read aloud, they can comprehend fine.

I am thriving dyslexic! I also have ADHD, and I'm dysgraphic. Read Write taught me the tools I need to excel academically and, most importantly, instilled confidence in my dyslexic thinking that I use daily. I'm a slow reader. I can't spell, and my written grammar is horrible. But that is only part of who I am.