Kids who do not enjoy reading for fun, are hard to motivate to read or would basically rather be anywhere but in front of a book are reluctant readers. Working with your child who does not enjoy reading can be frustrating, but there are tips to help you hook a reluctant reader and get them to enjoy the process.
Reluctant readers have specific behaviors. They flip through books without spending enough time on page, or toss the book from hand to hand without opening it. They start a lot of books but never finish any of them. They would rather be doing anything else besides reading.
It’s important for kids to keep reading, rather than stoping once they learn the mechanics of it. Kids who stop reading after only mastering the basics tend to fall behind in nearly every subject because they all depend on reading, and may fall into a reading gap, which we talk about in detail here. But there are ways you can encourage your reluctant reader and help them find something they love.
5 tips to hooking reluctant readers on books
Tip 1: Read a book out loud to your child
No matter how old your child is, reading out loud to them is by far the best way to help them develop their reading skills. Books have more unique vocabulary words than are used in conversation, radio or movies so they will learn more words, see how they are pronounced and connect the memory of reading to time spent with you.
Tip 2: Let you child choose the books
Look, Captain Underpants, Goosebumps or Vet Volunteers may not be your jam, but if your child who is not that interested in reading, shows an interest in a book (especially if it’s in a series) be quiet and let them read the book. The important thing is that they are reading, it does not matter if you think the content is too easy or immature, they will read and enjoy it and it will build their confidence to branch out later.
If you are certain the books your child has chosen are much too easy for their ability, allow them to pick up those as well as something a little more challenging. Help them find a read-alike, or a book that is similar in tone, style or content, to help them branch out.
For instance, lovers of Captain Underpants will probably love the Wimpy Kid series. Kids who like Goosebumps horror might enjoy books by Holly Black, and kids who like books about animals might love books by Kate DiCamillo. To choose a book that is a little more challenging, try the Five Finger Test to find a just right book, you can read in depth about that here.
Tip 3: Introduce graphic novels into the mix
Graphic novels are more than comic books. They are longer, have more complex vocabulary and plots and often deal with issues that students face in school. It is much more than the “Kapow!” style comic books of yore. Kids deal with a lot a school and many graphic novels wrestle with those issues.
For instance, New Kid by Jerry Craft is a graphic novel that deals with the racism the main character faces in school and was the first graphic novel to win a Newberry Award. Graphic novels can be a good way to sneakily help your child branch out in their reading. They exist in every topic (including history!) and are a fun, low pressure style of writing that still works on vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Tip 4: Encourage reading fun facts, how-tos and why-nots
Nonfiction is an excellent way to intrigue a reluctant reader. Publishers have really improved nonfiction books for kids, making them colorful, with bold fonts, bright photos and illustrations and unique text structures. This kind of book usually has shorter blocks of text making less intimidating for a reluctant reader, and it is broken up by cool photos or short blurbs in different fonts.
This kind of book is easy to pick up and put down, so there will be less reading comprehension lost in the process, and they can pick a book on any subject their heart desires. Read this post if you need more convincing about why your child should be reading more nonfiction.
Tip 5: Incorporate non-reading activities
One of the best ways to learn something is by doing it, right? So add in a “doing” component to the reading. Does your kid like to make or build things? Go old school and have them make a shoebox (or Amazon box) diorama of their favorite scene in the book. No box? Try Legos instead. Scale that back and have them draw or paint the scene. Can they make a better version of the book’s cover art? Try it and find out.
If your kid just loves to move, let them walk around while they read (assuming it is safe to do so, of course). Sometimes adding a physical component helps us remember things better. Have you ever told anyone to stop explaining something and just let you try it? Doing a physical action helps solidify our memories.
Add audio to the reading. Many libraries have free audio book services such as Libby or Overdrive, and there are books of all age ranges available. Let your kid practice reading along while listening to a professional read the book out loud. Being able to track the words and hear them said while seeing them can help improve sight reading and pronunciation.
Can’t I just bribe my kid to read?
The short answer is, no, bribing your kid to read will not work in the long run or really be beneficial. It seems like the perfect solution, just finish this chapter and then you can have (insert bribe of choice here). But in the end this does your kid a disservice.
The desire to read should be intrinsic, meaning it comes from inside themselves. You want your kid to read because they want to read, not because they are going to get something from someone else (extrinsic). Side note: this applies to life as well, we all want our children to grow up and be who they are and for that expression of themselves to come from inside, not what they think other people want them to be (what? reading skills apply to all of life? who knew?)
If you can help your child learn love reading, then they will love to read because they are learning something every time they read. This will translate into school and academics as well, the desire to learn simply for the love learning will take your child much farther in life, than if you spend all your time chasing them around the house with toys or cookies to get them to finish reading Of Mice and Men.
Is a reluctant reader the same a as a struggling reader?
No, a reluctant reader is not necessarily the same as a struggling reader. Your child may be a reluctant reader, a struggling reader, or both. Reluctant readers have not yet found the joy of reading, but may not have any particular areas that they struggle with.
Reluctant readers can also be struggling readers, and that may be why they are reluctant. It may take a little time to pinpoint the areas of struggle in this case, but just be patient. You may be able to ask them what is hard about the process, but your child either might not know how to explain it or feel vulnerable in that moment, especially if they are struggling to read at grade level.
Struggling readers have difficulty with the mechanics of reading. They have particular areas they struggle with, like reading comprehension, reading fluidly without starting and stopping, being able to sound out words or other mechanics of reading. However, they enjoy reading, it just takes a little more effort. A good place to start for struggling readers are high-low books. A high-low book offers a book of high interest at a lower reading level. It allows your older reader to read something of age appropriate interest at an accessible reading level.
Be patient while you try to pinpoint the areas of struggle in either case. If you have concerns about a learning disability be sure to talk to your child’s teacher and pediatrician.
*This is, of course, a general guide and is not meant to diagnose. If you have concerns about your child’s behavior or development please be sure to speak with a medical professional, your child’s physician or teacher.