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Some children are just not interested in reading. This is a saying I have heard several times. However, it is not true. The child has not found any books on topics they want to explore. This appears that the child just does not want to read. There are some things you can do to help your reluctant reader start to enjoy reading and explore his imagination. Once your child realizes reading can be fun, he will begin to read more including during his free time.
Take a Trip to the Library
Take your reluctant reader to the library. There are many books on a variety of topics. You may need to help your child think of possible topics of interest. Once your child has a topic or a character from a movie or TV show, look for books on that topic or with that character. If you are unable to find any, ask the librarian. They are always willing to help and love finding the perfect book for a child not yet crazy about reading.
Side note: Not only are you helping your child find books of interest but he is learning library skills. He is learning how a library is set up. He learns how to find a book based on either a topic or an author. Young kids even start to learn alphabetical order. The benefits of going to the library are more than just finding a book on an interesting topic.
Use an App to Motivate Your Reluctant Reader
Using an app is not one of the first things parents think about when trying to help a reluctant reader. However, there are now a few apps out there that cater to children. Children can pick a book of interest and read it on a tablet, phone etc. Some programs allow the parent to start the app out with the app reading the story to the child and then move on to the child reading the story on his own. The app learns what the child likes and will offer more books on the topic or at that reading level. Before you know it, your child has been reading e-books for over an hour.
Create a Home Library for Your Reluctant Reader
Children are more likely to be willing to read if they have their own home library. Reluctant readers are usually reluctant because they have nothing to read of interest. Your trip to the library will help you with this task. Start with what your child looked at in the library or topics he talks about to you. You can get a small bookshelf or a little area where he can keep his very own books. There are several ways you can create a home library for your reluctant reader.
Cheap Ways to Build a Home Library:
- Thrift Stores- Often have a book section which includes children books on a variety of topics
- Lawn Sales- Sometimes people are trying to get rid of books their children have outgrown
- Library Sales/Giveaway- Libraries sometims get rid of old books to make room for new ones. Sometimes these are up to 25 cent a piece or even free once a year.
Expose Child to Books on Subjects of Interest
Children all have different interests. When you have a conversation with them, they will gladly talk about what they like to do or what they are interested in. These subjects can be anything from dinosaurs to trucks to princesses. Find books about that topic at the child’s reading level. When the books are about subjects they like, they are more apt to pick them up and read them. Constantly expose your child to books on their interests. Do this at both the library and add some to your home library. After a while, reading books on topics of interest becomes a habit. They will even start to look for other books, especially on one of the trips to the library.
Try A Different Genre to Motivate Reluctant Readers
There are different types of books. Not all books are in the same type of genre. Non-fiction is not going to work for all children. This normally only works when a student wants more information on a celebrity or public figure.
Graphic novels and comics are having a huge comeback. This is especially true for middle school students. There are currently several authors who are writing graphic novels for the middle school age group. These books have pictures but also have a storyline in text. Most libraries have a large section of graphic novels now and are the most popular genre in the youth section. Yes, they do count as reading. Many even have a high word count, similar to chapter books but just have more pictures scattered throughout the chapter to help describe what the reader has read in the text.
Read Books with Movies to Encourage Reluctant Readers
I know in our house, we love to read books with movies. I know many who require their child to read the book first before seeing the movie. However, we like to watch the movie first. This gives my son an idea of what the book is about and what to expect. After watching the movie, he will read the book. As he is reading the book, he will tell me all about the difference between the two. He loves to compare and contrast the movie versus the book.
Have Your Child Evaluated
Having your child evaluated is one of the last things I would suggest. I would try some of the other tips first. A child who is reluctant to read does not necessarily mean he has a disability. If you are unable to spark any interest in reading after a library trip or using a reading app, then you may want to discuss it with your child’s doctor.
This is such an important post. Their is always ways to find a way to hook a reluctant ready . People always think it must be a book I always tell parents in my class, try comics, or I spy etc. their are so many ways to read. We are all unique in the way we may find what is best for each of us
Thank you. There are many times people do not realize that they have not presented the child with anything the child has for interests. If the child is only given topics he does not care about, he will not attempt to read it unless forced. Some children are not as reluctant as some think.