Fire Up a Reluctant Reader

School is in full swing, and with school comes reading. For some kids, reading is a fun, new skill that opens up more opportunities. For others, reading is hard work. If reading doesn’t come easily, it’s hard to be motivated to keep trying.

For beginners, keep up or add some fun story time sessions at home. Reading was a high priority for me when I became a mother, so we have had a set routine since we began our parenting adventure. We read during breakfast, before nap/quiet time in the afternoon and again before bedtime. Most of the time, I choose books to avoid story time burnout for Mommy. It’s a way to reconnect during the day, and I also think that because this is one of my favorite times of the day with them, it has become one of theirs as well.

For the younger crowd, check out the calendar at KCParent.com for local story times offered at places like local libraries, Barnes and Noble Town Center, Whole Foods, Johnson County Museum (story time with Jo Ho) and Fish Tales at the Olathe Community Center. I also try to choose books that interest my children and switch out seasonal books to add some fresh variety and anticipation for what’s coming next in the year.

Audiobooks also can be a way to incorporate other forms of media to enhance the joy of reading. Kids can read along and not get discouraged about a new word they’re uncertain of. Audiobooks make stories in the car fun, too. If screen time is a big deal to your child, give extra time if she watches on silent with the subtitles on instead. Local libraries offer programs like “read to a dog,” where kids can sit and read to a therapy dog. Or just let them read to your pet at home. Older siblings can bond with younger siblings as they practice their reading skills. This also can build more confidence in struggling readers, giving them a reason to read easier books to baby brother/sister. When reading with your children, Sarah Lyons, Olathe mother of six, advises, “Take turns reading pages. It's less overwhelming.”

So head to the library or bookstore together and pick out a book for yourself too. Challenge your child to see who can finish her book first before heading back to get a new title. Make reading available to your children and offer it as a form of entertainment instead of the ever-ready technology. Bring a book for the wait at the doctor’s office or during big sister’s dance class. Demonstrate reading during your down time too, instead of scrolling through your phone. Talk to your kids about the exciting story you are reading or some of your favorite books from your childhood. If your kid is the creative type, have him create his own books to read to you.

Usborne book parties and the Dr. Seuss Book Club are fun ways to get your children excited about reading by getting a package in the mail just for them!  Use a new book as a reward and either make a special trip to the bookstore or order it online to get the same package effect. Recently on an online Usborne book party I came across this helpful tip about kids’ brains growing like their bodies. “When you switch out a clothing size, remember to take a look at their bookcase and upgrade the skill level of their books as well,” says literacy expert Jim Trelease.

If your child is truly struggling, tutors and different programs designed to make reading easier and less of a chore for them can be helpful. Sue Taylor, Olathe mother of two grown children, also says, “Make sure to get their vision tested and check to see that they aren't dyslexic. My son was and that's one of the reasons he hated reading. I would suggest asking your child, ‘Why don't you like to read?’ He may tell you why.”

Stephanie Loux writes from her home in Olathe and enjoys reading on her own and reading to her three munchkins.