Help! My Kid Does Not Like Reading. How Do I Change That? January 2, 2018 – Posted in: Inspiration – Tags: ,

What can you do in case your youngster simply does not like sitting down with a book? Award-winning parenting writer Nicola Morgan explains the best way to coax the most reluctant reader into becoming a bookworm.

There may be all kinds of reasons why your kid isn’t a reader and all kinds of ways you may help to transform a reluctant reader into a bookworm. However, not all kids get pleasure from books – be a cause for anxiety for some parents. After all, the joy of reading makes learning easier. So, in case your child really does not like to read, try to work out the reason why.

Why doesn’t my kid like reading?

Take a moment to consider what’s stopping your child enjoying a great book.

  • Your little one is afraid of reading because she or he thinks it’s tough.
  • Your child has not yet discovered the right book(s).
  • You don’t like reading. It’s not a criminal offense, so don’t feel guilty. However, kids take cues from the adults around them. Have you ever unconsciously given the message that reading is tough or boring? Does your child see you enjoy reading?
  • Maybe she or he simply doesn’t like ‘made-up tales’? Some individuals, usually boys and men, don’t ‘get’ fiction because it doesn’t feel real. Try non-fiction books; they could actually encourage your child.
  • Your child might have a reading problem, in which case be very sympathetic because nobody enjoys doing something frustrating and difficult.

SOME SOLUTIONS

Reading needs to be for pleasure Books are like strawberries – we eat them because they’re scrumptious, forgetting that they are also good for us! Let kids read the books they get pleasure from, not those you think will improve them.

Help your youngster associate reading with feeling good For instance, being cosy with a caring adult who has taken the time to read together is an excellent way to develop a love of books. If reading is always associated with discomfort, stress, and failure, it’s going to always be disliked.

Take into consideration topics your child may enjoy Just as beneficial as storybooks are non-fiction books about favourite hobbies or sports, or about fascinating or disgusting subjects, and books with intricate diagrams or pop-ups. Magazines provide reading practise, too, and might lead on to books.

Explore the library. It is a non-threatening environment for your little one to discover books they might be excited about.

Create an atmosphere where reading is valued, fun and a top choice rather than a last resort to satisfy a teacher. Read in bed, in the garden, on vacation, on trains. Turn the TV/Computer/Tablets off during the day and well before bedtime and REFUSE to have a personal tablet, smartphone or TV in your child’s bedroom. Make space and time for more profound pleasure.

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Help your child make their own book with easy text and illustrations (comic format works well) and have them read it out to the household.

AUDIOBOOKS

Stories were initially told aloud, not written, and listening to a story is still as useful as reading it. If introduced to tales via audiobooks, kids are more likely to grow to like them and then want to experience the written text, too. For children who actually find reading tough, they’re a brilliant method of not missing out on all the developmental opportunities that come from books. Audiobooks additionally allow kids to hear stories that may be too lengthy or advanced for them to read themselves (however make sure that the content is appropriate).

Finally, be patient! Reading isn’t something you can or should force. Loving books is a lifelong pleasure, and your child might come to that joy a lot later.

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