Being unmotivated to read can cause angst for any parent who just wants their child to read. It can be difficult and the adjustment from summer freedom to the routine of school work can be challenging. It can also be challenging when your child simply does not feel like reading or when reading becomes a chore. Here are some suggestions to help if you have a child who might be a little less-than- motivated when it is time to read.
1. If they truly fight you when it is time to read, first make sure that there is not a serious underlying issue. Have your child’s eyes tested to see if there is an issue with eye convergence or if your child needs glasses. Check with your child’s primary care provider if you suspect dyslexia (words that appear out of order or move or shimmer on the page).
2. If there is no major underlying issue and it is indeed simply a matter of not liking to read, give your child permission to read whatever interests him or her. Most children will discover a particular genre or series that they like and will be motivated to read that genre or books from that series. If you have not found that genre that sparks so much interest, keep exploring different options. Ask a librarian at your local library for suggestions of book titles of popular children’s series.
3. If you have a child that ONLY wants to read a particular genre (like graphic novels), challenge him or her to read other options as well. Remind them that easy reads (like graphic novels) are like “brain candy.” Just like candy for the body, brain candy is enjoyable but best enjoyed only occasionally and not every time, every day.
4. Allow your child to choose, but selectively. Every month or two, select four or five different high quality pieces of children’s literature and ask your child to select a title to read from just this selection of books. Have your child read the blurb of the books and select the title that most interests him or her. They still get to select the book that they read, but you can select books that are a little more challenging. Former Newbery Award winners are always an excellent choice to find books that have more literary merit.
5. Have your child keep track of his or her reading and challenge themselves to read books that fall into different categories and genres. Have him or her make goals as to how many books that he or she can read every month. Need a genre tracking tool? Find one here.
There are also a few things that you can do around the house that help motivate a child to read. First, promote quiet time every day that encourages your child to pick up a good book and read. A great time to do this is at in the late afternoon or at bedtime. This practice of reading before bed allows your child to unwind from the day and settle himself or herself in time for sleep.
It is also important to let them catch YOU reading! Children learn by example. Take time to put down the phone and get away from the computer long enough to actually read a book. It sounds indulgent, but it is important for your kids to see the fact that you value reading as well. If you take the time out of your busy day to read a good book, then your children are more likely to see reading as a valuable part of the day as well.
Once you take time to read again, also discuss what you are reading with your children. You don’t have to go into great detail, but if you are reading a nonfiction book about a historical topic, mention one fact that may have surprised you about what you read. Again, if you can model being interested and fascinated by the books that you read, it will only benefit your children in showing the value that you are placing on reading and learning.
Reading is a fun and enjoyable activity. Highlight and promote the love of reading and learning in your home and spread the love!