You’ve hit reset on your summer reading expectations—now what? If you’re wondering how to turn that fresh start into real momentum without adding more to your plate, this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Engaging Reluctant Readers Podcast, Ellen Westbrook shares how to create simple, flexible reading goals that build confidence and ownership—without turning books into a chore. You’ll learn how to make goals fun, track progress in ways that work for your kid, and build reading habits that last well beyond summer.
What You’ll Learn:
☑️ Why traditional reading goals often backfire—and what works better
☑️ How to set goals based on curiosity, not just page counts
☑️ Creative ways to track progress without pressure
☑️ A 4-step goal-setting process your child can actually enjoy
⏳ Key Episode Highlights:
[00:01:03] The mindset shift: why reading goals should feel like nudges, not assignments
[00:01:38] Why reading goals shouldn’t be a numbers game–and what to focus on instead
[00:02:22] How to tell if tracking tools will help or hinder your child
[00:03:07] Let your child pick their own goal—and why it doesn’t need to be perfect
[00:03:38] 4-step reading goal formula you can try this week
[00:04:59] A free Mini Goal Planner to help your child set and stick with their goal
[00:05:49] Sneak peek at next week’s episode
📖 Prefer to Read? Full blog post: https://engagingreluctantreaders.com/2025/08/07/reading-goals-that-stick/
📺 Prefer to Watch? YouTube video version: https://youtu.be/XrjNhkOKdF8
✨ FREEBIE ALERT!
Grab your Mini Reading Goal Planner—a simple, customizable tool to help your child set, track, and celebrate their reading wins.
📥 Get it here → https://engagingreluctantreaders.m-pages.com/minigoalplanner
🎧Love the podcast? Hit the 5⭐to leave a rating & review!
It helps get this podcast out in front of more moms that need to hear it, so we can help more reluctant readers learn to love books and put an end to the nightly battles around reading!
Resources:
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