5 things you might be doing to put your child off reading
Do you have a reluctant reader at home?
Are you wondering why your child hates reading? We’ve listed 5 possible reasons why that might be.
Your child is probably just learning how to read and you are doing your part by trying to encourage the learning by reading together. However, each reading session seems like an uphill battle. Your child, for some reason, seems to have developed a great aversion to reading. Or maybe your child can already read but is quite reluctant to make a habit out of it. They even tell you point-blank, "I hate reading. It is boring!"
Your child’s dislike for reading comes down to one thing: their love for reading was either never kindled or may have been extinguished.
Below are 5 things you might be doing to impact your child's love for reading:
- Reading sessions can come across more like drilling sessions. Try not to turn what could otherwise be a fun activity, into a quiz or test. While you might want to ask questions to encourage thinking, try not to go overboard with the ’20 questions’ as that is the quickest way to take the fun out of the activity. Children don’t want to feel as if they are back at school again. And yes, you would like for them to learn something from the reading, but don't make that so obvious. Allow them to enjoy reading the story and what you’ll find is that the learning side of things will occur when the teaching is more subtle.
- Strike a healthy balance between the television, other devices at home, and books/reading. If there is an imbalance in favour of the former, it could become a challenge convincing your child that reading books can be just as entertaining. There needs to be a limit to these activities if there’s ever to be a chance of you making your child see that books can be entertaining too.
- Ensure that the books are of the appropriate level for your child. Reading books that are too difficult for their reading level will very quickly discourage your child from making the attempt. If they are having to be told every second word because they are unable to read them, they will lose interest in the activity very quickly. for children to open a book and not know how to read many of the words. Determine your child's reading ability and get books that are level-appropriate for them.
- As a parent, you need to hold realistic expectations of your child. Try to keep your temper and exasperations in check, should your child not progress as fast you’d like them to. Avoid being critical or making remarks suggesting your child isn’t pulling their weight enough. It is very easy for anyone to become discouraged or begin to feel they are not good enough to carry out the task at hand, should they be put down enough times.
- If a child is given a book with a theme that they don’t see as interesting, they will not be motivated to read it. They might prefer a book that is not as challenging as the ones you might want them to read, but the answer is not to force your choice onto them. You might end up missing a trick here, as the key to building their love for reading might be, to begin with, what they love - capitalize on your child's hobbies and interests.
Conclusion
If you want to nurture the love of reading in your child, you have to first show that it is fun and enjoyable. Don't put the learning aspect at the forefront as this is the quickest way to send them in the other direction. Understand that the love for reading will begin in a more relaxed and pressure-free situation. Develop this side of things and the rest/learning will follow.
If you are looking for assistance with your child's reading, we can help. Our award-winning Reading Programme uses advanced teaching methods that help all children from 3 years old, to learn to read fluently and with confidence, often to a standard, years above their peers.
To find out more, click on the links below:
https://www.leadersarereaders.co.uk/book-a-lesson
https://www.leadersarereaders.co.uk/reading-programme
