March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021
Reading is an essential skill in learning and life. Every parent and teacher wants a child to be an avid and energetic reader. Why? Because it’s proven that reading benefits kids.
While many kids do become excited and voracious readers, there are always some children that don’t seem all that interested in reading, or may even fall into the category of a reluctant reader. Here’s what you need to know about reluctant readers and how to engage a reluctant reader in the world of literacy.
What Is a Reluctant Reader?
If you have a child who doesn’t show any interest in reading, you may have a reluctant reader on your hands. Of course, there are many types of reluctant readers in the world. They run the gamut from a child who needs a little coaxing to read, all the way to a child who just flat out refuses.
A reluctant reader, when forced to read, often seems disinterested or unmotivated. They may have trouble taking in what they’re reading, or could simply stare into space, as if they’re entirely unable to focus on the reading material in front of them.
Why Kids are Reluctant Readers
There’s no one reason that a child is a reluctant reader. Some children are simply not interested in books. They may love sports or art much more than reading and even refer to it as boring.
However, some reluctant readers are the way they are because reading is hard for them and is simply a source of frustration. This can be especially true for readers with a specific learning disability, such as dyslexia, which makes sounding out words and making sense of sentences very difficult. Some children may have issues with attention deficits, making it difficult to concentrate or sit still long enough to read. Others may have visual processing issues that make it a struggle to read the words on a page.
For readers who struggle, being reluctant is a way to avoid reading, especially when they see that it may be very easy for their peers. They avoid the activity because it makes them feel bad, and that prevents them from improving their reading skills.
Strategies for Reluctant Readers
It’s important to understand that every student is unique. What works for one reluctant reader may not work for another, so it can take a lot of trial and error to find the right approach. In reality, a combination of strategies may be what finally does the trick and makes your reluctant reader a little more interested in books.
Some ways you can engage a reluctant reader include:
Featured image by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash