How can we help children love reading?
In the age of social media, innumerable video games and Netflix, you may think that getting a child to read is next to impossible, but with the right attitude and a little patience, you could be seeing them putting down the controller… and picking up a book.
Some children need extra help with reading and some just need a helping hand getting motivated. Think about how you feel about reading as an adult. Do you want reading to feel like another chore or a way to relax and let your mind go to a different place? Your child sees it the same way, and you just need to find the right way for them to start blossoming into the reader they will grow to be.
Helpful tips to help your child jump start their love of reading
1. Read aloud with your child
Reading with your child helps them get into the story more and can also help them with comprehension and context, since you are right there to help guide them. Take turns reading and make sure to not be too harsh when it comes to correcting them on pronunciation, you want reading time to be fun and a space where they can act silly and play around with you. Make up different voices for characters you both can do. Making reading fun is a fantastic way to have your child want to repeat reading time with you.
2. Get creative
A lot of reluctant readers often find reading frustrating or anxiety-inducing. Help relieve their stress by playing to their strengths. If they are artistic or like to make up stories, craft a book or comic book together. Start stapling some paper together, grabbing some pens or markers and taking turns building the story, writing and drawing in turns to keep their attention. Read the book back to each other. Take their favorite parts of certain books and draw them.
3. Take a field trip
A change of setting can also get a child excited for an adventure and this adventure can lead you to many awesome reading appropriate environments. Libraries can be a fun, new way to get your child interested in reading, as they have a wide variety of books to look at and decide what they think looks fun and attention-grabbing. Checking out books also takes the stress off of parents' pocket books, as well as teaches children about due dates and having to return items on time.
A comic book store is also a great field trip location for your budding reader, as comic books can not only be a great way to get a reluctant reader more involved in story and syntax, but there are also so many different story and artistic styles to explore. Taking your child to a park to sit, have a picnic and read outside is wonderful too. Showing them different ways to enjoy reading is a fantastic way to build enthusiasm for years to come.
4. Read at the right level
Not all children of a certain age are at the same reading level. Making a child read books that are too hard for them to grasp will have them losing interest fast. See what reading level your child is at then get books based on that. The easier it is to read, the faster they will understand. With understanding comes pride and when someone feels good about themselves doing an activity, they will want to do it more often than if the activity makes them feel self-conscious or inadequate.
Reading does not come naturally to many children, so be patient and work with your child to build their confidence and skills, and don’t give up. Find other ways to pique their attention and don’t get frustrated if they seem disinterested in a certain book. Try others at different reading levels and see what makes them happy and engaged, first and foremost. Don’t get discouraged; your child may need time to warm up to books or they may need extra help getting the hang of reading.
5. Get hooked on a series
A great way to get your kids into books is having them get invested in a story and its characters. There are many different book series for every age group out there. Most libraries have lists or you can look here for a great list based on age and genre. As stated above, if your child needs extra help with reading, use this time to play characters and read to them. It’s also a great way to spend some time and enjoy the fun of seeing your child free to express themselves while staying entertained.
With so many distractions nowadays, enjoying reading is not only a great way to spend some quality time with your child, but also helps turn down the noise from the outside world while opening their eyes to a whole NEW world on each and every page.
Does your child need extra help with reading comprehension?
At Sunrise Reading Solutions, we help young readers grow and build their reading skills at many different levels. Whether you have a child who has a diagnosed or suspected learning disability (such as dyslexia or dysgraphia) or you are looking for your young reader to get ahead, Sunrise Reading Solutions is here to help.
By utilizing the Barton program and supplementing with other trusted literacy drills, we work passionately to provide your child with the foundations for lifelong literacy success. Contact us today to get a free assessment and our certified tutors can start preparing your child for a long and happy relationship with reading.