If given the choice, would your child rather get a cavity filled than pick up a book for pleasure? Does your child think reading is boring or only for school? Even if your child does not show a natural interest in reading, this does not mean that he/she cannot become a capable or even an enthusiastic reader. Help your child discover the possibility that reading can be a fun, personalized adventure.

What is a reluctant reader?

Education research on this topic generally defines a reluctant reader as one who can read but doesn’t. With so much competition for entertainment (smart phones and tablets, Internet, video games, TV, etc.), it’s no wonder reading is off the radar for many reluctant readers. Often called dormant readers, these reluctant readers are those who have enjoyed reading in the past, but currently don’t make time for it on their own, nor do they have much incentive to do so if there are no solid role models at home. Both uncommitted and unmotivated reluctant readers do not enjoy reading, don’t make time for it, and don’t see the purpose of reading beyond a school assignment, such as responding to comprehension questions or writing a book report. These reluctant readers have not transformed from learning to read to reading to learn. They have not grasped the idea of reading for pleasure or learning more about things that are important to them.

Finally, the unskilled reluctant reader is one who cannot read or is significantly behind the reading level of his/her peers. This can be due to lack of practice or little encouragement, but it’s also common with students that have a learning difficulty. These students have had negative experiences with reading―caused by fear of failure or in some cases, fear of peer ridicule― and have usually become turned off to reading. With almost all types of reluctant readers, there is often an element of social/peer pressure not to be an avid reader.

So how do I motivate my child to WANT to read?

Setting aside learning difficulties for the time being, once you have determined what type of reluctant reader your child is, you can now begin to utilize strategies that make sense for your child’s individual needs and that work with your family’s lifestyle. Remember that forcing a child to read can backfire, so for some children, a more subtle approach is required. A quick word to the wise; parent modeling of the desired behavior can go a long way in easing your child’s transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Share your excitement about the novel you are reading, or about the fascinating magazine article you just read, or about the DIY instructions you found on the Internet about how to build a go-kart. Not all students enjoy fiction, so if this is the case, explore other options for literature.

Personalizing reading material for all ages

Whether you have a very young reader at home, a pre-teen or a teenager, there is much to be said about helping your child find literature that is relevant and exciting to him/her. If your child has ever been enthusiastic about one particular book, try to figure out what it was that made that book appealing. Was it the flashy cover with catchy title, the images, the humour, or the subject matter? Was it the easy-on-the-eyes font, the vocabulary level, the text layout, or the fact that your child’s best friend was reading it, too? (Positive peer pressure exists, too.) Find out if the author of that book has written other similar books. If the book is no longer appropriate for your child’s age/reading level, find out if that author has written books for other age groups. If not, ask your local librarian or child’s teacher for suggestions that mimic the style of the cherished book.

Your child may be required to read a novel for homework, reading logs, or school assignments, but be sure to make time for reading something your child has selected himself. A guaranteed way to personalize literature is to check out children’s magazines on a variety of topics and ask your child to pick out one that looks exciting―whether it be a magazine about science, fashion, sports or hobbies, this is still reading! How often does your child receive mail in his name? Having a monthly magazine subscription will keep your child’s interest piqued while waiting for it. Some popular examples are Sports Illustrated Kids, Highlights, National Geographic Kids, Time Magazine for Kids, etc.

Another popular type of children’s literature is the graphic novel. A graphic novel has captivating images with varying amounts of text per page, depending on the reading level it is intended for. There are graphic novels for kids and teens on a wide variety of topics and genres. Check out your local library, bookstore or online. Some graphic novels are based on classics such as Batman, Superman, or even some beloved book series such as The Baby-sitters Club, which have been refreshed and modernized. Other graphic novels are based on popular films while others are completely new to discover. A quick search of graphic novels on chapters.indigo.ca will bring up a slew of choices for all ages. These make great stocking-stuffers for all the kids on your list!

Make the link between reading and achieving a desired skill

Show your child how reading can be useful—not just for school assignments. Does your child want to learn to do magic tricks, to make her own jewelry, to find out more about caring for a pet lizard? Show him/her that certain books or online magazines can provide step-by-step instructions. Recent research has shown that boys are more likely than girls to become reluctant readers. The most common reason is that boys don’t see any practical use for reading, particularly if the text is highly fictionalized. All the more reason to help your child discover other types of literature that can have a direct application in learning or improving a skill or activity your child is already interested in.

Motivational tactics for kids of all ages

Reading out loud for many children can be an embarrassing or stressful activity, but with practice, reading out loud helps to improve fluency, comprehension and confidence. For very young reader, use a technique called assisted reading in which you read a sentence or two out loud, and then have your child do the same. This can also be done by pointing out words you know your child already can read or pronounce. For older children, try alternating paragraph by paragraph. Help your child to work on expression, intonation and overall pace. Reading quickly is not a sign of a competent reader—many students can read out loud quickly but are unable to decode what they are reading as they are racing through the text. If there is a lot of dialogue in the text, encourage your child to read with whatever voice they think that character might sound like in real life or in a movie.

What do most people do after they are finished with a great book? They tell someone about it. Try doing the same with your child. Make it a point to have at least two weekly discussions about whatever book or reading material everyone in your family is reading. Do this at meal time and get the whole family involved.

If you want to take it a step further with older children or teens, read the same book they are reading at the same pace and have mini talks about the book’s plot, characters, etc. See if there are any similarities to the book’s characters and real people you know. Try to predict what you think might happen next. If the reading material is non-fiction, have your child quiz you on the most important points of what you have read so far.

Social reading

Some students see reading as a solo or anti-social activity, which explains why some are reluctant to curl up on the couch and read when they could be playing at the park or hanging out with friends at the mall. Encourage your child and a few of his/her friends to set up a monthly get-together during which they talk about the book they are currently reading. Do an illustration of a scene from the book, or even act out a scene with costumes to boot! If your child and his/her friends share similar interests, the whole group can agree on reading the same book (like a traditional book club) and set goals such as chapters to be read before the next gathering. If the book has been adapted to film, make it a movie night once they have finished the book and have all the participants talk about the differences from book to film. It’ll be as special treat!

If a book club is not an option or is not a teen’s choice, try social media instead. Have a group member create a blog page where each member of the group can put up their comments about said book, including favourite quotes or passages from the story. Aim for at least two short blog posts per week from each member, and organize a reward for the group once they all have read the book. Just make sure one volunteer parent can vouch for the validity of the posts―the assigned parent has to read the book too, and check the blog page occasionally. If blogging sounds too advanced, the same concept can be done through group e-mails, where the volunteer parent is simply CC’d on all communication.

Encouraging students with learning difficulties

If you suspect your child may have a learning difficulty that is impacting his/her ability to read, it is vital to get a proper diagnosis as soon as possible. Your child’s school may offer testing or you may opt for private clinical testing. Knowing if there is in fact a learning disability (and what type) will allow you to then select an appropriate game plan for your child’s specific needs. It is important to know the difference between disinterest in the content of a text or actual difficulty with the reading level. A professional in this area will be able to pinpoint what is preventing your child from reading on par with his/her peers, and will also be able to suggest an appropriate reading level in order to help your child enjoy reading. Above all, do not give up, and be sure to congratulate your child on his/her efforts. Use positive reinforcement to ensure that motivation remains high despite the current difficulties.

Make a holiday out of it

Family Literacy Day is celebrated on January 27th of each year. Find out if your child’s school is doing anything special for the event and find a way to contribute. Many Canadian cities hold special events for families during this week, so check out the local papers or online. If there are no events in your town, get your child to help you organize one. It can be as simple as inviting a few of your child’s friends over for a literacy party and some healthy snacks. Each participant can read aloud a small section of their favourite book and discuss why they favour this book. For more ideas on how to celebrate Family Literacy Day, visit www.familyliteracyday.ca.

No matter your child’s skill level at the moment, sharing and encouraging a love for reading and learning will help your child to go from reluctant reader to enthusiastic reader.



This article is based on the parent workshop “Help—My Child Hates Reading!” animated by Lisa Cipriani, Director of Centre Pédagogique La Renaissance. To find out more about this workshop or other workshops, contact the Center at 450-937-2455 or info@cprenaissance.com.



About the Author

Lisa Cipriani is the Director of Centre Pédagogique La Renaissance, a tutoring center in Laval that provides academic services for primary, secondary, and adult learners. As an experienced teacher, Lisa has been working in education for almost 15 years. Visit www.cprenaissance.com