5 Good Ways to Promote Reading
Tips and suggestions for helping reluctant readers and kids who hate to read
Aug 7, 2006
This article gives tips to parents and educators dealing with reluctant readers. Includes: creating a reading spot, role modeling, and choosing the right books.
Do you have a child in your home or classroom who hates to read? Changing a reluctant reader may be easier than you think. First, think about what is behind a child's attitude toward reading. Low skills? Uninviting book choices? No time or place to read? Once you have determined the cause, try some of the following suggestions and watch a reader emerge!
- Make sure children have an inviting spot to read. In the classroom, it could be a beanbag, rug, pillow, or even under a desk. Make sure there is ample opportunity for students to use the reading area. At home, designate a cozy spot with good lighting that is away from distractions like T.V., the computer, and doorways.
- Be a reading role model. When your classroom does DEAR or other silent reading, pull out your own book! At home, sit down with your child to read your own book, magazine, letter, etc. Children who don't see adults read may wonder why they have to read when you don't!
- Help children choose the right books for their skills. An easy check to see if children are reading above their level? Try the Five Finger Method. Choose a page from a book your child is reading and have the child read out loud to you. Keep track of any misread words on your fingers. More than five? The book is probably too difficult. The child may need your help choosing a more appropriate book.
- Use humor. Often, kids will respond well to a book that uses humor at their level. Here are some examples of good humorous books for several age levels: the Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish, Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park, Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey, any book by Dr. Seuss, or anything by Roald Dahl.
- Be persistent. A reluctant reader won't change overnight. Try several different suggestions until you hit on one that works. But don't nag! Nagging could lead to more resistance.
Once you've tried some of these five suggestions, you might find yourself saying, "This child used to be a reluctant reader, but now she loves to read!"
The copyright of the article 5 Good Ways to Promote Reading in Primary School is owned by Jaime L. Hebert. Permission to republish 5 Good Ways to Promote Reading in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
