How to Help a Reluctant Reader

While it is true that books can be teachers, counselors and friends, what do you do when your child wants nothing to do with them? If this sounds like something you are dealing with, maybe this article will help.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Make a determination whether your child is a reluctant reader (one who can read but is sometimes frustrated by material he finds difficult and to which he sometimes has trouble applying reading strategies to help him understand it) or a remedial reader (one who has limited vocabulary skills and very few reading skills). Your child's teacher can help if you're not sure.

2. Use extrinsic motivation. Extrinsic, or external, motivation can come in many shapes and forms. This motivation is achieved through offers of “rewards” to the reader. The rewards can be anything from gum or candy to getting to go to a movie in a theater or a big league ball game. Use whatever you know will motivate your child.

3. Encourage and reinforce intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic, or internal, motivation is the feeling we get when we know we have done something really well and are proud of our accomplishments. It takes greater commitment because it is more of a developmental process than an isolated task. Intrinsic motivation can be a great self-esteem booster.

4. Help your child set goals in his reading. Allow him to dictate most of the goals to be met. You are there to encourage and help if the goals seem too lofty or too low. Make sure he has a realistic plan for meeting the goals.

5. Encourage your child to read anything she wants, but, she must read it for a length of time predetermined by you (1/2 hour, an hour, 15 minutes), and she has to be able to tell you about, or summarize for you, what she has read.

6. Help him make connections (relate to) what he is reading. Encourage him to read about things he enjoys or about which he wants to learn more.

7. Empathize with her in her reluctance, but don’t let the reluctance win out. Do not be too critical or overly negative with her when she expresses reluctance. There may be a reason for the reluctance, not just laziness.

8. Most importantly, support him in this endeavor.

Tips & Warnings

• Read with or to your child sometimes.
• Find a book for yourself and read at the same time he does.
• Read the same book your child is reading or read a different book by the same author.
• Talk with each other about the books you are reading or have read and compare notes.
• Consult with your child's teacher or reading specialist if necessary.
• Remember, reading is a skill. The more you do it, the better you get.
• Do not use reading as a punishment.

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