East of the River | February 2008 | Motivating Your Reluctant Reader

Motivating Your Reluctant Reader

Encouraging Children Who Choose Not To Read

by: Ed-Genuity Consultants

Reading may be the most critical skill for academic success. Like any other skill—whether it’s learning to type or play the piano—it requires practice. Practice comes a lot easier when you like what you’re doing. Children who like to read tend to read a lot. But what about those reluctant readers? We are not talking about children with learning difficulties. Reading for those students can be a special challenge. It’s understandable that they might shy away from books. We are talking about those students who can read, but show little interest in doing so. You need to motivate your child to read because children who read a lot become better readers. Here are some tips to change your reader from apathetic to eager.

Practice
Research shows that the act of reading increases vocabulary. Reading skills improve as children understand more words. The opposite is also true. Children with weak vocabularies read slower. They stumble over all of the unfamiliar words. Because reading is so difficult they read less. Reading less keeps their vocabulary weak. And this negative cycle goes on. Good readers also tend to be better writers. Reading exposes students to correct grammar, spelling and a variety of writing styles.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once your child masters reading in elementary school that all is well. Reading practice should not end in those lower grades. Reading homework only increases during the teen years. The reading assignments are much longer. And they cover more complex material. Stronger readers will have an edge.

Build On Interests
Listen to what your child talks about. Choose material that taps into what your child likes to do. You can find books on any topic-- science, music or sports. Your animal lover might like a tale involving horses. A story about a famous dancer might be better for your ballerina. Or choose a Star Wars theme to engage your science fiction fan. Find a how-to book on building cars or making jewelry. Choose books based on favorite TV shows and movies. If your child is fascinated by a TV show about earthquakes, find books on earthquakes. Books are often turned into movies. If your child likes one of those movies, suggest the book it is based on. Link reading with other fun activities. If your child gets into a book about astronauts help the topic come alive with a trip to the Air and Space Museum. See if you can get your child interested in a series book. These are the books where the author writes a number of books about the same characters. Your child becomes familiar with the people, places and themes of these books. It feels less like reading and more like spending time with some old friends.

Try Audio Books
Children love to hear stories out loud. Sometimes that is all it takes to spark your child’s interest. Children can often be drawn into a book if they listen to the first chapter or two. You have a choice of reading the book yourself or getting the book on tape. Encourage your child to follow along in the book while listening to the story. You can buy them from a bookstore or borrow them from the library. Let your child have a say in selecting the audio books. Keep a few on hand if you and your child spend a lot of time in the car. Or make a special evening and listen to a story together. Whip up some hot cocoa. Pop some popcorn. You may discover that your child isn’t the only one who enjoys being read to.

Vary The Format
Try a book of short stories or poetry to ease your child into reading. Children don’t have to finish the entire book to read a whole story or poem and can pick and choose the ones they want to read. Check out children’s magazines. They have articles that are shorter than a chapter of a book and include lots of colorful pictures. If you find one that your child enjoys, a yearlong subscription isn’t that expensive. Besides, getting mail will make your child feel special. And don’t forget about comic books. Although many adults frown on them, reluctant readers often mention comics as their preferred reading choice. This tends to be especially true for boys. Comic books have become more sophisticated—some are even written as mini-novels. Just be sure to scan the level of violence and sexual content. You don’t want your child reading material that you find offensive or too mature.

The research is clear. Out-of school time reading does boost reading achievement. That’s because enthusiastic readers will read more often. The more children read the better readers they become. The skills your child gains while reading for enjoyment spill over into academics. Here are some additional resources to motivate your reluctant reader.

RESOURCES

Books
Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read: 125 Books That Will Turn Any Child into a Lifelong Reader by Laura Backes $15.95

Each book featured has a picture, an excerpt, a summary and reasons why the book would appeal to reluctant readers. Ages 5-12

How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike by Esmé Raji Codell, $18.95
Hundreds of ideas and activities from a teacher/librarian to get children excited about reading. Ages 0-13

What to Do When Your Child Hates to Read: Motivating the Reluctant Readerby Lee Canter $5.95
Tips, techniques and book lists to engage reluctant readers. Ages 6-12

Online

American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks
Thirteen years of book recommendations for reluctant readers to read for fun. Ages 12-18

Kids Magazines
http://www.childmagmonth.org/?tp=magazines
A list of over 80 magazines for children ranging from toddlers to teens

Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org/parents/motivate/default.mspx
Articles and tips for motivating children to read

Short Stories for Teens
http://plymouthlibrary.org/sstories.htm
Lists over 60 books of short stories for teens

Ed-Genuity offers a team of education consultants with expertise in areas such as curriculum development, parental involvement, professional development for teachers and counselors, leadership development for administrators and pre-college academic enrichment programs. They have worked extensively with schools, colleges, community organizations and churches. You can email the Ed-Genuity team at ed_genuity@yahoo.com.


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Motivating Your Reluctant Reader
Encouraging Children Who Choose Not To Read
by: Ed-Genuity Consultants
Reading may be the most critical skill for academic success. Like any other skill—whether it’s learning to type or play the piano—it requires practice. Practice comes a lot easier when you like what you’re doing. Children who like to read tend to read a lot. But what about those reluctant readers? We are not talking about children with learning difficulties. Reading for those students can be a special challenge. It’s understandable that they might shy away from books. We are talking about those students who can read, but show little interest in doing so. You need to motivate your child to read because children who read a lot become better readers. Here are some tips to change your reader from apathetic to eager. Practice Research shows that the act of reading increases vocabulary. Reading skills improve as children understand more words. The opposite is also true. Children with weak vocabularies read slower. They stumble over all of the unfamiliar words. Because reading is so difficult they read less. Reading less keeps their vocabulary weak. And this negative cycle goes on. Good readers also tend to be better writers. Reading exposes students to correct grammar, spelling and a variety of writing styles. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that once your child masters reading in elementary school that all is well. Reading practice should not end in those lower grades. Reading homework only increases during the teen years. The reading assignments are much longer. And they cover more complex material. Stronger readers will have an edge. Build On Interests Listen to what your child talks about. Choose material that taps into what your child likes to do. You can find books on any topic-- science, music or sports. Your animal lover might like a tale involving horses. A story about a famous dancer might be better for your ballerina. Or choose a Star Wars theme to engage your science fiction fan. Find a how-to book on building cars or making jewelry. Choose books based on favorite TV shows and movies. If your child is fascinated by a TV show about earthquakes, find books on earthquakes. Books are often turned into movies. If your child likes one of those movies, suggest the book it is based on. Link reading with other fun activities. If your child gets into a book about astronauts help the topic come alive with a trip to the Air and Space Museum. See if you can get your child interested in a series book. These are the books where the author writes a number of books about the same characters. Your child becomes familiar with the people, places and themes of these books. It feels less like reading and more like spending time with some old friends. Try Audio Books Children love to hear stories out loud. Sometimes that is all it takes to spark your child’s interest. Children can often be drawn into a book if they listen to the first chapter or two. You have a choice of reading the book yourself or getting the book on tape. Encourage your child to follow along in the book while listening to the story. You can buy them from a bookstore or borrow them from the library. Let your child have a say in selecting the audio books. Keep a few on hand if you and your child spend a lot of time in the car. Or make a special evening and listen to a story together. Whip up some hot cocoa. Pop some popcorn. You may discover that your child isn’t the only one who enjoys being read to. Vary The Format Try a book of short stories or poetry to ease your child into reading. Children don’t have to finish the entire book to read a whole story or poem and can pick and choose the ones they want to read. Check out children’s magazines. They have articles that are shorter than a chapter of a book and include lots of colorful pictures. If you find one that your child enjoys, a yearlong subscription isn’t that expensive. Besides, getting mail will make your child feel special. And don’t forget about comic books. Although many adults frown on them, reluctant readers often mention comics as their preferred reading choice. This tends to be especially true for boys. Comic books have become more sophisticated—some are even written as mini-novels. Just be sure to scan the level of violence and sexual content. You don’t want your child reading material that you find offensive or too mature. The research is clear. Out-of school time reading does boost reading achievement. That’s because enthusiastic readers will read more often. The more children read the better readers they become. The skills your child gains while reading for enjoyment spill over into academics. Here are some additional resources to motivate your reluctant reader. RESOURCES Books Best Books for Kids Who (Think They) Hate to Read: 125 Books That Will Turn Any Child into a Lifelong Reader by Laura Backes $15.95 Each book featured has a picture, an excerpt, a summary and reasons why the book would appeal to reluctant readers. Ages 5-12 How to Get Your Child to Love Reading: For Ravenous and Reluctant Readers Alike by Esmé Raji Codell, $18.95 Hundreds of ideas and activities from a teacher/librarian to get children excited about reading. Ages 0-13 What to Do When Your Child Hates to Read: Motivating the Reluctant Readerby Lee Canter $5.95 Tips, techniques and book lists to engage reluctant readers. Ages 6-12 Online American Library Association http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks Thirteen years of book recommendations for reluctant readers to read for fun. Ages 12-18 Kids Magazines http://www.childmagmonth.org/?tp=magazines A list of over 80 magazines for children ranging from toddlers to teens Reading is Fundamental http://www.rif.org/parents/motivate/default.mspx Articles and tips for motivating children to read Short Stories for Teens http://plymouthlibrary.org/sstories.htm Lists over 60 books of short stories for teens Ed-Genuity offers a team of education consultants with expertise in areas such as curriculum development, parental involvement, professional development for teachers and counselors, leadership development for administrators and pre-college academic enrichment programs. They have worked extensively with schools, colleges, community organizations and churches. You can email the Ed-Genuity team at ed_genuity@yahoo.com.