Some kids are born bookworms. For others, however, getting them to read can be an every day battle. Reading regularly can bring many benefits to both children and adults, so it’s important to instill a love of reading as early as possible. But if your child is reluctant to pick up a book, here are some ways you can motivate them:
Find books that fit their interests
No one likes to read books that don’t interest them, so don’t force your children to read topics that they find boring. This will just make them believe that reading is a chore, when in reality reading should be a fun activity that they want to do, not one that they have to do. If you’re not sure what they would like, try taking them to a local bookstore so that they can pick out a book for themselves.
Make sure the book matches their reading level
On the one hand, if a book is too difficult, your child won’t be able to read it. On the other, if it’s too easy, they’ll find it boring. Instead, find a book that matches their reading abilities. If you’re not sure where to start, consider asking your child’s teacher or tutor for some recommendations.
Read together
Young children love spending time with their parents, so reading to or with your child can be a great way to encourage them to read. Be sure to start young so that reading becomes a habit by the time your child is old enough to read on their own.
Have a reward system
Positive reinforcement will help kids feel more confident in their reading abilities and further motivate them to continue reading. To do this, try to keep a reading chart that keeps track of when and how much they are reading. Then, give a reward after a certain number of days or after reading a certain number of books.
If you’re still struggling to get your child to read, there may be a larger issue at play. They could be having difficulty reading, which means they’ll need the help of a tutor. If that’s the case, then feel free to call Dr. Mazza to see how she can help.