March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

How To Engage A Reluctant Reader In The World Of Literacy

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:

  • Root out the cause. The first thing you should do is figure out why your reader is reluctant. Why are they disengaged? Once you can figure out the primary reason, you can make sure that they have interventions in place to help. This is especially true if the root cause is a learning difference or condition that makes it difficult for them to read.
  • Read to them. Is there a children’s book you love? Why not read it aloud to your reluctant reader with a little expression? Don’t be afraid to put on silly voices or act out the story to help make it fun. When reading, try to stop at the really engaging parts to continue the next time so that they’ll look forward to it.
  • Let them choose their books. One of the biggest things that dissuades someone who doesn’t like to read is being told what they should be reading – and being completely bored by it. If you can provide a large variety of books across genres and let them choose the ones they like, chances are they’ll be keener to start turning pages.
  • Give them time. Kids need time to read – quite a lot of it. Make sure when they sit down with a book that they have plenty of time in a quiet, distraction-free place to settle in.
  • Create a cozy reading nook. If you really want to encourage reading, create a cozy reading nook for your child in their room. You can get pillows, bean bags, and maybe even a little indoor tent to create a special space that’s just for reading.
  • Follow their lead. One way you can help your reluctant reader is to read the same things they are. Let your reader help you pick out your next book to read and talk about it with them. (You never know, you may be a closet Captain Underpants fan and not even know it!)
  • Get some audiobooks. Sometimes it’s nice to listen to a story and get wrapped up in that way. Audiobooks can be a great tool to motivate readers and introduce them to different stories. If they can follow along in the printed book as it's being read, even better.
  • Socialize the experience. A lot of adults love book clubs, so why wouldn’t a younger child? You can help your child to create book clubs with their friends online or after school to discuss the books they’re interested in.
  • Don’t be pushy. Your kid may not have reading all figured out, but they have you figured out. If you’re too pushy, then they may resist your efforts. Be sure to keep your attempts to get them interested in reading light-hearted and fun.

Featured image by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash