There are children in the world who love to read and don’t need to be encouraged to do so, but how do we help those children who don’t find reading fun or enjoyable?
It is important that we motivate children to read, instead of forcing them to read. When someone is motivated to do something they will most likely enjoy whatever activity it is because they are being encouraged by their peers, parents, teachers, etc. An activity is usually not enjoyed when someone is forced to do it because this means it is a demand that they can’t refuse.
Children are very smart and can recognize the difference. Making reading fun and exciting for children is a good way to start motivating them. Taking a child to a bookstore and letting them explore all of the books that surround them can be a way to encourage them to look through different books and pick out their own. Children are more likely to finish a book that they have picked out themselves because they will definitely have an interest in it. Picking out a book for your child can look like forced reading, even though you aren’t demanding that they read at that instant. Picking out a book for a child could lead to a couple of different things:
- The child loves the book
- The child reads the book because they think they have to
- The child starts the book but doesn’t finish it due to lack of interest
- The child never opens the book
A child could look at many things as “forced reading.” Not being able to pick out their own book, making a child read when they come home from school every day, having a set schedule for reading time, etc. Motivating your child to read looks a lot differently. Having a reward system for every time your child finishes a book, giving them the option to read after school, creating a book club with their friends (so they can see that their friends are reading too), and showing your child that you like to read too.
Siblings can also be a huge motivator in reading. If a younger child sees their older sibling reading this could influence them to read too. If you do have a set time for reading in the house, everyone should be reading, not just the child. This will make it look like it is a relaxing time for everybody and not something that your child has to do on their own.
It is important to know the difference between motivated and forced reading because your child will pick up on the techniques that you are using. Making reading fun and enjoyable will help them love reading and actually want to read. Using these techniques will hopefully have a positive impact on your child.
