Is your child a reluctant reader?
A reluctant reader will not only suffer while in school but they’ll also struggle in the real world. Reading is an essential skill to survive, work, and get through daily activities. You have to foster a love for reading as early as possible.
Not sure how to deal with a reluctant reader? Follow our guide below to learn how to help a reluctant reader become an avid reader:
- Turn Reading Into Theater
At first glance, reading can seem quite boring. Every child reluctant reader will look at a page and see nothing but an intimidating wall of text. Turn the person into an avid reader by breathing life into the words on the page.
Make the experience feel like theater. Read dialogue as if you were portraying each character differently. Use hand gestures and motion to make each scene memorable and to add visual flair.
Don’t hesitate to go a few steps further. Draw the characters or talk about the scenes even when you’re not reading together.
- Use Different Reading Mediums
For young kids, a traditional book may appear daunting. You don’t have to stick to this medium as there are others.
Graphic novels are great starting points. The added visuals, similar to comic books, will aid the reader to visualize the narrative. You can start with light comic books before moving on to text-heavy adult graphic novels.
You can also try out audiobooks. Hearing a professional reader can help a reluctant reader keep up. It will also help them learn how to pronounce certain names or difficult words.
Don’t stick only to physical books.
A reluctant reader might show more interest if you use an eBook. They might become more inclined to read if they can easily access books on their phones.
This could help if you want them to get them interested in school textbooks. Reading, whether with a physical book or on a phone, can help kids get into tuition free charter schools.
- Give Them Choices
Ever wondered why are some children reluctant readers, even when they show potential for the hobby?
The problem is that they might not like the books handed to them. Instead of handing them books to read, why not let them pick what they want?
Sure, they might not always go after textbooks or essential options. However, you get the guarantee that they’ll want to read the book as soon as they can. The excitement comes naturally since they picked it themselves. Check Natalia’s Bookhouse for choices of your personal interest
- Start a Book Series
Speaking of excitement, it’s a wise choice to start reading a long book series. You can pick books such as the Harry Potter series, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Legend of Drizzt, and Redwall.
Reading a series can help build anticipation. The young reader will build an attachment to the characters and will get excited to learn about the next events. This could persuade them to continue reading.
Collecting the books in a series can become a hobby in itself. It won’t take long for your child to build a collection of book series they’ve read and enjoyed. You can then reward them by watching films or TV adaptations of the stories they’ve read.
- Make Reading Fun
Why don’t some kids read? For many, they don’t read because they perceive the activity as boring and stagnant. Change this perception by making reading a part of a fun activity.
Take time to engage in games like Dungeons & Dragons. The game relies heavily on reading. Playing it only requires imagination, dice, pen, and paper.
Before you know it, your kids will read books to further learn the lore and the world their games take place in. You can incorporate characters from the novels, like Drizzt Do’Urden. This can encourage a reluctant reader to pick up those novels and get lost in the narrative.
- Visit the Library or Book Store
Make every trip to the library or book store into a grand adventure. It shouldn’t feel like a boring obligation.
By making these visits frequent, you can help foster a love for books and the unlimited journeys they can take a reader on. Your child may get excited for each visit as they grow and continue to improve their reading skills. Now they can access stories not intended for younger, inexperienced kids.
Frequent visits also ensure your young, reluctant reader gets to see all the available choices. They might get excited to read so they can finish one book, visit the store, and instantly dive into another title they saw last time.
If visiting a library or book store becomes a routine, they’ll carry it to adulthood.
- Lead By Example
Teach a reluctant reader to love books by doing so yourself. Why should they invest hours in reading if you can’t do so yourself?
Show them how much fun you have when reading. Let them see the excitement and joy you get from this hobby. Showcase how reading educates you and how it helps you become a better person.
Your child will pick up on your excitement and will want to follow your example.
Turn a Reluctant Reader Into a Book Lover Today
Don’t panic if your kid is a reluctant reader. They might not want to read fiction or important school textbooks now but this won’t be the case forever. Simply follow our tips above and turn your young reluctant reader into a book lover.
Lead by example, use different mediums, make it fun, and give them a choice. Make frequent visits to the library or book store. Look for fun and engaging book series they can invest years in.
Of course, it shouldn’t end here. If you’re looking for more tips and tricks to help your child learn, don’t hesitate to keep reading our other posts and guides. We might have the exact tip you need, right here!