Reading for the Reluctant Reader
Summer Reading is important for children. Statistics and reports state that young children who read at least four to six books over the summer are more inclined to maintain or improve their reading levels once they return to school in the fall.
Since the pandemic, the number of books to read is increased to between eight and ten. For some children, reading over four books is not a challenge. However, for the reluctant reader, this task can be problematic.
Below, I have outlined several options for reluctant readers that may work and offer support:
• Have your child read books or reading materials that he or she can relate to. This content can consist of sports, comics, animals, fantasy, TV characters, or classic stories.
• Have your child draw or illustrate pictures from a story that he or she is reading. This activity enables a child to be creative and expressive. Plus, it promotes comprehension of a story.
• Have your child participate in a theatre program. Reading and reciting lines gives a child a fun way to read words, project words, and act out the words of a story. This is storytelling at its best for a child.
• Think about hiring a tutor or engaging a reading buddy to work on various reading activities. Depending on your child's motivation or needs, a tutor will offer more specialized services whereas a reading buddy will serve as a reading mentor.
• Read aloud and together. Some children just don't like to read alone. Therefore, a parent or guardian may need to be available to read during a specific time (at least 30 minutes) each day. So read a paragraph, a page, or a chapter, then have your child follow this pattern. If you commute or travel often, create games where words are involved like names of landmarks, streets, cities, or states beginning with a specific alphabet. Reading together is a worthwhile family treat.
Overall, the best advice that I can give from years of personal and professional experience is to find out what your child likes to read, and have him or her read it often.
The goal is to read and to have fun reading. Enjoy!
—Helen
Helen Hope Kimbrough is Children's Author & Publisher, Book Whisperer, and Reading Evangelist. She journeyed into writing and publishing children’s books because she was unable to find books with diverse characters, especially for boys of color. In 2005, she founded her independent publishing company, AK Classics LLC, to create relatable and cultural content for children and families of color. Learn more about Helen’s books http://www.akclassicstories.com/.