The great thing about reading is that you don’t have to necessarily read the classics or be a constant book cataloger to get something out of it. Even reading blog posts online (like this one!) or travel reviews can count. As children are helped so much by reading books to improve their literacy levels, it’s one of those tasks that we really do need to encourage.
However, to some kids (and perhaps many of them!) the idea of sitting down quietly with a book when they could be playing outside of on the games console is an unattractive one. That’s not the greatest outcome, and unfortunately too many parents don’t mind as long as it keeps their little ones quiet.
If your child doesn’t like reading (or so they say), the answer isn’t to discipline them with a book in hand and force them to sit in silence. It’s to gently show just how fun and enjoyable reading can be. Think of how you might help a child who doesn’t like vegetables get their nutrients by cooking those veggies into their pasta source.
A similar practice can be done with reading. Here’s how:
Make Reading Interactive
It’s nice if you turn story time into performance time where you do different voices for characters and let your kid act out parts of the book with you. You’ll find reading becomes much more engaging when it feels like a game or theater production instead of forcing them to begin sitting still and staring at pages.
You could also ask questions about what might happen next or have them guess how characters are feeling based on the pictures. Also remember that kids who struggle with traditional reading methods might respond better to programs like Orton Gillingham that use multiple senses to make letters and sounds stick in their memory through movement and touch.
Choose Books About Their Interests
As ever, find books that connect to whatever your child is obsessed with right now, whether that’s dinosaurs, princesses, trucks, or space exploration. A kid who claims to hate reading might change their tune when they discover a graphic novel series about superheroes or a book series where the main character loves the same sport they do.
Even video game series like Halo have good novelizations now. Libraries will generally have incredible collections organized by topic and age level, so you can borrow different options until you find what clicks for your child too, should you need a bit of help.
Create Cozy Reading Spots
You have to make reading cozy and pleasant, so set up special places around your house where reading feels comfortable and inviting, like a pile of cushions in a corner with good lighting or a blanket fort. The physical environment makes a nice little addition to how kids feel about an activity, so make reading spaces feel different from homework spaces or timeout spots. Let them bring snacks or a favorite stuffed animal to their reading time so it feels more like a treat than a chore they have to complete too.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to slowly nudge your child into reading.
