Many of us hope that our children will read more often. However, some children feel scared or intimidated by the prospect of reading a book.
Parents can help motivate their reluctant reader by first figuring out what may be the cause.
Why are some kids reluctant readers?
Maybe they find the words on the page confusing. Your child might dislike reading for many reasons. Maybe they haven’t discovered a genre that interests them. Maybe they get restless and would rather play outside. Maybe they find the words on the page confusing.
If your child finds reading difficult, they may start to avoid it altogether. This can happen when the books they are reading are too challenging. Helping your child build confidence in reading can prevent this from happening.
Types of reluctant readers
According to researchers, there are three primary categories of unwilling readers: those unable to read, those who refuse to read, and those who selectively read.
- Those who can’t read: These children struggle with basic reading skills and dislike reading because it’s a daunting task.
- Those who won’t read: These children can read fairly well however they’d much rather be running around outside or playing with friends.
- Selective readers: These children are highly selective about what they read and often not open to suggestions from adults. They need to be genuinely interested in the topic to pick up the book.
If you can identify which type of reluctant reader your child is, you can follow the tips below to help them get excited about reading.
1. Pick Exciting Books Kids Can Relate To
Stimulate your child’s reading by finding stories they find fascinating, such as Harry Potter, or relatable, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Once Upon Another Time. These stories provide a twisted fairy tale about all the complicated feelings of being a preteen today.
Books that take readers to different times and places can be great for teaching them things traditional instruction might not cover. For example, The 1000-Year-Old Boy is about an immortal boy who starts looking for companionship and understanding after the world he knows is gone. Trouble Maker, on the other hand, is about the LA Riots from the perspective of a 12-year-old Korean-American boy.
If you are looking for ideas on how to help a boy or girl who is struggling with reading, ReadingRockets.org is a great resource. They have recommendations for books on all sorts of subjects that may be of interest to struggling readers, and they have recommendations for books for all ages and genres. It is important to remember that every child is different and that you should tailor your teaching methods to fit the child’s needs.
2. Explore Different Formats and Genres
There are many types of reading material available today, so consider what your child might enjoy. Joke books, seek-and-find books, mystery, science fiction, comics, graphic novels, and nonfiction about typical kid-favorite topics (such as dinosaurs) are all great places to start. Make sure the material is age-appropriate and at the right reading level so your child doesn’t become frustrated or bored. This will help them improve their comprehension skills.
We’ve found that an Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription is a great way for our girls to explore the reading world. It’s less expensive than buying individual books, and it’s available on their Kindle Fire and iPad.
3. Lead by example
Issue: Your child isn’t surrounded by readers
When was the last time you read a book for fun? Children are influenced by the people around them, so it’s important to show them the behavior you want to see. If your child doesn’t see you reading, this is something you can try to change.
If you want your child to enjoy reading, set the example by reading yourself. Show your child that reading is enjoyable and valuable by discussing the books you love with them.
4. Rule out any vision issues
Issue: Your child has blurry vision
If your child is displaying a lack of interest in reading, it might be due to blurred vision.
If your child is constantly squinting and having difficulty seeing the letters on the page, it may be a sign of a vision problem. A simple eye examination can determine if this is the case and whether your child needs glasses.
5. Try activities that pair reading with play
Issue: Your child has a hard time sitting still
If your child doesn’t enjoy sitting still, it may be tough to get them to read. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find activities that involve reading while being active.
If your child would rather play outside than read a book, try doing activities that involve both reading and playing. Some fun activities that require reading include making a new recipe, doing a scavenger hunt, or creating your own greeting cards to send to friends and family. Check out this article for more ideas to try: Outdoor Literacy Games Your Kids Will Love.
6. Make reading fun
Issue: Reading has become a chore
If your child is a reluctant reader, it may be because they feel like reading is a chore. The key is to be patient with your child and proceed with caution.
It’s important not to push your child to read. Instead, try to make reading something they see as fun and interesting. Read aloud with them, and be patient if they’re struggling with a word. Avoid pushing them to finish a book any faster than they’re comfortable with. You can find more tips on how to make reading fun in the article “Expert Tips on How to Make Reading Fun.”
7. Opt for shorter books
Issue: Your child has a short attention span
children are not known for having long attention spans, some are shorter than others. If your child is struggling to get through books at their reading level, you may want to change tactics.
If your child has trouble focusing while reading, try choosing shorter books, such as joke books, comic books, or nursery rhymes. If you’re reading a longer book together, break up the reading time into shorter intervals, gradually increasing the length of time as your child’s attention span improves. You can also take breaks from reading to discuss what’s happening in the book.
8. Encourage book sharing
Issue: Your child prefers group time over one-on-one reading
If your child prefers to be around others rather than reading alone, try incorporating group activities into their reading routine. This could involve reading with siblings or friends, joining a book club, or even taking turns reading aloud with you. By making reading a social activity, you can help your child enjoy it more while still building their literacy skills.
If your child is more introverted and prefers being around other people, try to encourage book sharing. You can host a book swap at your house and invite all of your child’s friends to bring a book to share. Reading can be a shared experience, even for introverts, by taking turns reading aloud and discussing the plot and characters.
9. Use technology to your advantage
Issue: Your child isn’t interested in traditional storybooks
Maybe your kid isn’t too fond of reading the old-fashioned way with physical books. That’s perfectly understandable; there are now a lot of different digital options available for children who don’t like reading.
If you want your child to be interested in reading, look for children’s e-books that offer read-aloud features and graphics. The Reading Eggs online library has over 3000 e-books spanning different genres.
10. Take turns reading to each other
Issue: Your child won’t read on their own
Your child may be reluctant to read because they don’t like reading alone. They may need to read with other children or an adult.
If you think your child won’t be able to sit and read by themselves, try reading together instead. This way, it will be a more interactive activity and you can take turns. If you want your child to be even more involved, ask them questions about the story as you go along, or about a certain character. Once they’re warmed up, see if they can come up with a few questions for you to answer.
11. Introduce them to a new book series
The issue is that your child can’t seem to get interested in any particular genre of music.
It can be difficult for some children to find a book that they are really interested in and that gets them excited about reading.
If your kids are struggling to find motivation to read, try getting them started on a popular series. The suspense at the end of one story may be enough to get them to read the next, and before you know it they’ll have read the whole series! With over 45 different series and 3000 e-books to choose from, the Reading Eggs library has plenty of options to keep your kids engaged.
12. Try audio books
Issue: Your child is easily distracted.
When a child is easily distracted or seems more interested in playing with a toy than reading, it can be difficult to keep them reading.
One way to help easily distracted readers focus more while they are reading is by having them listen to an audio book while they read along with their own book. This will require more concentration from them, but it may help keep them more interested and on task.
13. Make time for reading
Issue: You haven’t set aside enough time for reading.
It’s easy enough to say, but we often get distracted by our busy schedules with kids’ activities, homework, and housework.
Choose a time every day to read, whether it’s before bed, after homework, or after school. Once you make it a routine, your children will know when to expect it and it will be easier to stick to. Read with them or to them in a quiet environment where they can concentrate.
14. Join Summer Reading Programs at the Library
Many public libraries offer story times hosted by librarians or volunteers who read aloud to children. These events often incorporate a discussion about each child’s favorite part of the story. Snacks are sometimes provided.
Let your choose a library book to bring home for their quiet time and bedtime every week, and they loved it. They will start looking forward to choosing new books and earning stickers or an ice cream cone by reading as many books as possible over the summer. A library is a great option for a fun, free family outing.
15. Designate a “Reading Nook”
Give your child her own special reading space in a quiet area. Make it a cozy reading nook with pillows and blankets, and stock it with books on subjects and activities that interest her. Having her own space to go and read will make it seem special and will likely encourage her to do more of it.
16. Pair Reading with Play
Activities that require reading, such as making a new recipe, creating a scavenger hunt, putting on a play, or making your own holiday cards to send to family and friends, can show your child that reading can be fun. Engaging him in non-book activities will help him realize that reading can be related to a lot of things that he finds enjoyable.
17. There’s a Reading App for That!
Children who have grown up in a digital world are generally more comfortable and familiar with technology than their parents. Because of this, it can be beneficial to help them learn to read using mobile apps, as this is a tool that they are already familiar with.
There are several apps that can help struggling readers. Some great apps available are Epic, ABCMouse, Homer, Hoopla, and Dr. Seuss Treasury. No matter what your struggling reader’s needs are, there’s an app that can help.
18. Read Books that Have Been Made into Movies
It can be fun for your child to see a book they’ve read come to life on screen. Start by reading one of these kids’ books that have been turned into movies together, then watch the movie adaptation. Talk about the plot, characters, and storyline, and ask your child to compare and contrast the book and movie. This will get her excited to read more.
I know so many families that forbid seeing the movie until the kids have finished reading the book. For me, seeing a movie make me much more excited to read the book. A movie will spark my desire to get deeper into the story.
Older children have a hard time getting into reading as well, so seeing how their imagination measures up to the movie adaptation is a fun way for kids to combine entertainment and learning.
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