What exactly is a reluctant reader? There are several different types according to the experts. They include: children who are intelligent and interested in reading, but don't read well; children who seem to have no interest and, as a result of not reading regularly, are falling, or at risk of falling, behind; and children who are dealing with specific learning problems that impede their ability, and willingness, to read. Then, there is the most frustrating type of all: the child who reads well but has little interest in doing so. If your child is a reluctant reader, whether a second grader or a sixth grader, what can you do to encourage him, or her, to read? Fortunately, there are a number of resources that are available to assist you.
Encouraging Your Child to Read
Since the only way most children can get to be good readers is to read regularly, it is important to encourage your child to read from the beginning. Joyce Melton Pagés, Ed.D, provides some helpful learning tips, including setting up a home library, reading aloud to your child, and using poetry.
The importance of reading aloud cannot be overemphasized. By reading aloud to your children, you are emphasizing the joy of reading, introducing them to new vocabulary words and ideas, expanding their knowledge, and learning more about their interests. Often, hearing a story can pique a child's interest in learning more by reading independently. At some point, you might pick books at, not above, your child's reading level, and take turns reading portions aloud to one another.
Australian librarian Annette Dumars stresses the importance of reading for enjoyment. Dumars points out that instruction books for computer games, comic books, joke books, newspapers and magazines can all be used to encourage reading. Like several others, she emphasizes the importance of reading nonfiction books for pleasure, sharing poetry, and going to the library regularly.
The most important role a parent or other caring adult can play is as a good role model. It's hard for a children to believe in the importance of reading if there are few books in the home, they never see their parents reading, and they never go to the library. Reading for enjoyment is not enjoyable for children if they are forced to read. It's important to help your children find books at the appropriate reading level on subjects that interest them. Once you find books, you can pique your children's interest by reading the first chapter to them. You might also want to take turns reading. If the book is sufficiently interesting, you may find your children reading ahead on their own.
Selecting Appropriate Books
In order to select books appropriate for your child, it helps to know what to look for in choosing books for your reluctant reader. These include the book's vocabulary, sentence length and complexity, appearance, including the size of the print, and its interest level.
If you need assistance in selecting books, there are many online booklists and other resources for reluctant readers. There are also publishers who specialize in hi-low books. For example, Capstone Press specializes in high interest/low reading level nonfiction books, which are often used in classrooms. The books are written for grades 2-3 and grades 3-4 reading levels, with content of interest to students in the fifth grade and higher. You can buy an entire series or individual books. The books are illustrated with photographs and cover topics that are particularly appealing to kids. Titles include The World's Wildest Roller Coasters, Horseback Riding, In-Line Skating,Sharks, Motorcycle Police, and Ghosts and Poltergeists.
Tea Leaf Press has several high interest, low reading level series for upper elementary to middle school and higher students who read at the grade 3-5 level. The Deer Lake, series for students in grades 4-5 has a grade 3 reading level. The Bayview High, series is for students in grades 7 and up who are reading at the grade 5 level. The humorous Nate's Journal, series is for students in grades 4-6, with a grade 3 reading level.
Orca Book Publishers publishes fiction for the reluctant reader, with an emphasis on fiction that will appeal to boys. Orca Currents is middle school fiction with an interest level of ages 10-14 years and a reading level of grades 2.5-4.0. Orca Currents, teen fiction for the reluctant reader with an interest level of 12 and older and a reading level of grades 2.4-4.0, includes Accelerated Reader selections.
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