Is Your Child a Struggling, Reluctant Reader?

by Max Elliot Anderson

(#2 in the Series)

As a child, I never liked to read. When I mention this to people, I can anticipate their reactions. Their mouths drop open in disbelief, followed by gasps. “You’re kidding!” often follows. That’s probably because I’ve also written a number of action adventures and mysteries targeted especially for children who may be facing similar reading difficulties.

I used to think that a reluctant reader was simply someone who hadn’t found the right book yet. But the causes may go deeper than that.

Diagnose Reading Difficulties

At the outset it’s important to understand the terms. If facing a struggling, reluctant reader, parents must be certain that there aren’t any problems with vision, neurological issues, or other medical conditions that might hamper reading. You may need help with diagnosis from professionals, but first look for difficulty with vision and good posture while your child reads.

It is possible for a child to suffer from learning disabilities, but carefully research and obtain more than one opinion before accepting a final diagnosis. It is not possible in this space to explore this topic. [See the March/April 2011 issue of Homeschooling Today for one source of help. Article titled “Confronting the Learning Disabilities Lie” by Paula Moldenhauer or visit Anna’s House website at www.AnnasHousellc.com.—Ed.]

Next Steps

Maybe you’ve ruled out vision or medical problems. What is your next step toward getting your child interested in reading?

Start with audiobooks. In some cases you can use these while also holding a copy of the same book. A child can see and hear the words at the same time and practice following along.

Select a book that is below grade level. You may also want to experiment with comic books, comic-book-style novels, or magazines like Nature Friend, God’s World, Clubhouse, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights, and others.

Some have found success by using electronic readers such as the Kindle, Nook, and iPad.

A recent study noted that nearly 80 percent of children six and under read or are read to in an average day. But it also said that children spend an average of 49 minutes with books in that same average day, compared with 2 hours and 22 minutes in front of a television or computer screen.

If your child avoids reading in every way possible, choosing video games or the computer over reading, you might set those activities aside as rewards. You can say, “After you’ve read for thirty minutes [or an appropriate time],” for example, “then you may spend time doing those other things.”

Try these additional ideas:

• Read aloud with your child.
• Eliminate distractions.
• Above all, make reading fun.
• Have your child try reading to a dog, cat, doll, or stuffed animal.
• Look for high-interest, low-vocabulary books, called Hi-Lo.

When I’m asked if reading is particularly important, I give several reasons why it is and add that readers are the leaders others follow. Don’t give up on encouraging your child to read.

Check back on Homeschooling Today’s website in two weeks for #3 in the series as I talk more about children and reading.

(See the first article in this series here: Get Children Reading Again)
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Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling reader. After surveying the market he sensed the need for action adventures and mysteries for readers 8–13, especially boys. Using his extensive experience in production of dramatic motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, Mr. Anderson brings that same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his stories. Each book has different characters, settings, and plots. Seven books are published, with an additional twenty-nine manuscripts completed. Young readers have reported that reading one of his books is like actually being in an exciting movie.

Books for Boys Blog:  http://booksandboys.blogspot.com

Author Web Site:  http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/index_1.html

My Youtube Videos http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100#p/u