8 Tips to Get Kids Reading.

When you become a parent you quickly discover there are certain things you no longer have control over.  That can actually be quite a long list, however just one of those things is your child’s interests, likes and loathes.  Some children take to certain activities (such as reading) like a duck to water while others struggle as it isn’t a natural appeal for them.  Their true interests might be elsewhere and it is no reflection on them as an individual, we all have different interests.  As a child I had zero interest in team sport (still do) and would find other ways to get exercise and group participation.  Some skills are important though regardless of interest and reading is one such skill, here are some tips on getting reluctant readers to pick up a book and get on the path to learning their dose of literacy lessons.

1. Start young – As soon as you can start reading to your baby, this reinforces the normality of it and makes them aware of reading at a very young age.
2. Be a role model – Let your children see you reading and hear you reading out loud, not necessarily too them, just make it nice and obvious that reading is a part of your life that you enjoy.
3. Read books that are interesting to your child – If your child has a particular interest such as sharks, fairies, transport etc. Look for these kinds of books, fact and fiction.  What dinosaur lover could resist a comprehensive illustrated book about dinosaur species?
4. Go to the library - Public libraries (or other organised groups) have group reading times where local parents can take their kids and enjoy stories and follow-up activities.  Many children respond beautifully to seeing other children do something, a “monkey see, monkey do” situation.  Early childhood teachers use this to their full advantage everyday.  How else would you get twelve 2 year olds to comply?
5. Timing – Reading to reluctant readers is a whole lot easier if you can figure out the best time in their day to pursue it.  Often the quietest time in their day such as bed time or a midday quiet time.  A time when distractions are at a minimum and running around is not on the agenda. 
6. Work it into the routine – Children respond to even things they don’t like much without too much fuss if they know it is part of their routine.  It may take some persistence but it will pay off.  I have reading time at bedtime with my Miss 2 and again this works because it is a quiet time, she thinks it is delaying bed time the more we read and she is in the right state of mind to concentrate.  Don’t want to listen, ok lights out then… oh you want to keep reading?  Good choice. 
7. Keep a book handy – Sometimes, and you know the times, you might be in a doctors waiting room or even a take away drive through.  Junior starts getting impatient. TA-DA here’s a book, let’s read.  It won’t always work but it is worth a try, and the more you show you are available for reading together the more they will respond to it.  Which brings us to:
8. Be available - If there is an opportunity to have a quiet cuddle and a read snap it up.  Use it to your advantage, ”I am not going to listen to the tantrum, but if you would like to come and sit with me and read a story that would be wonderful.”  It works because A) You are not giving in to negative demands for attention, B) It is a redirection and C) It is quality time.  Sometimes all a cranky child wants is a bit of attention.  That is a whole other blog but use it to your advantage and use a book.  Of course parents are busy people and you can’t be there 100% of the time and no one expects you to chase your kids around book in hand, that would probably have a negative affect actually.  But when the situation comes around make the most of it.  Read, cuddle, talk about the story and make it a special time.

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