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We were recently discussing the quandary of getting a young child into reading (or back into reading!) when they are hesitant or reluctant to pick up a book. Encouraging a regular reading practice for fun or for learning can be really tricky, but with a few tweaks, we believe any child can become a lifelong reader.
We all adore books here at Willoughby, but we have all experienced various states of reading slump over the years. Life is busy and distracting, so it is inevitable that our reading journeys will have some form of ebb and flow over the course of our daily lives. We know how it feels to want nothing more than to curl up with our latest book, but we also know the dread of feeling like you should be reading when you’re doing anything but.
We’ve been thinking of tips and tricks that worked for us and that might just help your young ones discover the pleasure and delight of reading stories consistently, so read on and contribute your own ideas in the comments below.
Setting
Some lucky people can read anywhere and everywhere. In the car, on a bus, up a tree…
For most of us though, we need a designated, quiet space where we can make ourselves comfortable, away from the distractions of everyday life.
If you have the ways and means, why not create a mini book nook together. This could be in their bedroom, a corner of the living room, or even in the garden shed! Fill the space with books, a bean bag, cushions- anything that gives them a space of their own, dedicated to their reading and relaxation. They’ll soon associate their calm, personalised area with reading and the enjoyment it brings. If your child is particularly anxious about reading, their book nook will be the reassuring constant during their story time!
Reading is reading!
We are big supporters of the idea that any reading is good reading. Age ratings on books are simply a helpful guide, but by no means an instruction. If your child is refusing to read a book because it feels too hard for them to get into, try not to discourage them from choosing something suitable for younger readers. Reading is important for self-development, but enjoyment should absolutely be the priority at this stage, especially if they are likely to put a book down and not pick it up again. Once they become interested, then you can perhaps introduce more challenging material into their libraries. Magazines, comic books, audiobooks are all valid and important ways of upping their reading time, so embrace the different
You know the old adage: Softly, softly, catchy (reading) monkey.
Font and book length
A family member was recently asking for advice about getting their child to read longer books. They are a fantastic reader, but for various reasons, they are increasingly more fearful of picking up anything other than shorter books with pictures and comics.
In the case that your child is a confident reader, but perhaps with a limited attention span, opt for books with larger, less daunting fonts and fonts sizes. Find out what their favourite types of books are (funny books? adventure and mystery books?), head to your local library or book shop and browse the selections. You’re bound to find age-appropriate titles that come in more accessible lengths and fonts.
Side note: If your child likes reading but is dyslexic, Barrington Stoke is a publisher of children’s books with a focus on dyslexia-friendly titles, so do check them out!
Family Book Club
As someone who had recently entered the dreaded book slump, the thing that saved my reading routine was my local book club. I have found that taking turns choosing the books and then experiencing the collective joy a fun book discussion has really enhanced my personal reading.
Why not set up a mini family book club? It could involve the whole family or simply be you and your child setting off to the park on a Saturday to read together. Studies show that if children see their parents reading, it vastly increases their chances of becoming readers, too.
Maybe you could take turns reading the same book aloud? Or perhaps you could read your own books in the same space and discuss how you’re getting on afterwards? In whichever way you choose to organise your book club, make it as fun and exciting as possible! Hot chocolate is optional.
Audiobooks and e-books
In my opinion, audiobooks are one of the best things to be popularised in recent years. Once resigned to the dusty corners of our public libraries, they are now a big part of book culture. They are an accessible and diverse way of reading for many people, with thousands of titles available for free on the various library apps that now exist. If your child struggles to sit and read books in their physical format, audiobooks offer the freedom of reading on the go; whether you’re on the way to school in the car, or with headphones on in the garden, they can vastly increase their reading time.
E-books, too, are amazing for kids that enjoy their screentime. If you want to ‘gamify’ their reading and make it more akin to a challenge, give them a page number to reach. It feels a lot more achievable on an e-reader and you’ll be surprised how quickly they’ll whiz through their latest selection!
Hopefully some of these tips resonate and can be applied to your child's reading pathway. The Willoughby Book Club will always be big supporters of reading in any and all formats and of readers of all ages, experiences and stripes! However you or your child decides to read, we hope you find books that nourish your minds and bookish souls.
Also remember to check out our blog for more helpful reading tips, suggestions and recommendations for you and your family. Happy reading!