We hear from many parents who to their dismay, have kids who don’t enjoy reading.    This is particularly frustrating to parents who themselves are regular and avid readers, and who, not surprisingly, feel that setting a good example should be enough.  Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.  To be sure, there are some kids (and adults) who will never experience the pleasure or thrill of a good book – fiction or non-fiction.   But for the reluctant young reader, there are steps that parents can take to steer them in right direction.

Why Don’t Some Kids Enjoy Reading?

The answer to this may be multi-faceted.   Most kids are busy – school, homework, and after school activities such as sports and clubs often leave little “down-time.”   The competition for this downtime is fierce – television, computer-time, video-games – they all vie for a child’s attention – and quite frankly, are easy.  Too easy.    For other kids, reading is a chore simply because they don’t read well; they haven’t developed a sufficient vocabulary or struggle with reading comprehension skills.   Kids (and adults too), avoid the things they don’t do well.

How Can Parents Help Their Children Love to Read

Here are some steps parents can take to make have their kids become, at minimum, less-reluctant readers and, who knows, perhaps have them develop a love for reading.

1. Impose some modest restrictions on on-line activity (including mobile phones).   Start small – perhaps just a half hour every weeknight when no electronic entertainment can be allowed. At the same time, encourage them to use this time to read – perhaps something as small as a newspaper article(s) that may be of interest to them, even if it’s just the sports page.  Gradually expand this time after they start becoming self-sufficient.
2. Work with your child to identify reading materials that he might actually enjoy! Who would want to spend their free time reading something that doesn’t interest him?   Visit a local bookstore or newsstand and peruse the periodical and magazines that might compel them to read.
3. Visit your local library and consult with the librarian; they are a wealth of information and, in my experience, to an astonishing accuracy, are able to identify high-quality books that match your child’s interest.
4. Have them join a book club or library reading group.  Our local libraries in Florham Park, East Hanover, Madison, Chatham and Morristown have many options for young readers.
5. If your child has perpetually struggled with reading – get her some help.  An experienced reading tutor or program can help your child get untracked – and build up his confidence so that reading is something that he can enjoy, not dread.

For many, it can take time, patience and work to read well and to love to read.  They go hand in hand.  For those who have reached this apex, reading becomes part of their DNA – their life.  As the great columnist, non-fiction writer and novelist once said”

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.”― Anna Quindlen, How Reading Changed My Life

Do you have a struggling reader?   Think Tutoring can help pinpoint deficient reading skills and fix them. For more information, call as at 973-593-0050, or find out more about our reading tutoring programs on our website.