No doubt you have heard stories of children who love to read so much that parents often find them with a flashlight in bed, reading well past their bedtime. While that image is charming and perhaps true for some, there are many children for whom reading is not a passion and who find reading not pleasurable at all.  These reluctant readers need help and guidance to develop a love of reading.

Perhaps the single most important way to help reluctant readers is to help them find books which are engaging to them. This means allowing children to explore a wide variety of genres.  Perhaps realistic fiction doesn’t excite them, but science fiction might.  Visit a library or bookstore and ask for help to introduce different types of books for your child to peruse. It might help to read some of the pages to your child to peak his or her interest. It also helps to tap into your child’s interests. For example, if your child loves soccer find some books about soccer.  These could be nonfiction books, biographies, or realistic fiction. If your child is already interested in the topic, it will be easier for him or her to be interested in the book.

When first dipping their toes into books that appeal to them, children might select books that would not be your top choices.  But that is okay. You are trying to get them excited about reading so the important thing is that are reading something.  There will be ample time later on for your child to develop a taste for “fine” literature, but getting excited about any kind of reading is the first step.

It is important to note here that some children are reluctant readers because reading is difficult for them.  If that is the case, talk with your child’s teacher about ways to improve his or her general reading skills.  Also, when picking books for this struggling child, ask the teacher or librarian for help in locating books that are of high interest but written at a lower reading level.  In this way, the child is reading fun and interesting books, but at a reading level that is appropriate for them. Reading these “hi/lo” books will allow for less frustration and more enjoyment over all.

Now let’s say that you have found the perfect book for your reluctant reader.  Give your child ample time to read and reread it.  Rereading a book is incredibly valuable to struggling readers.  It might also help to give your child a chance to read aloud.  He or she might be timid about reading in front of you or another adult.  Take away that fear by suggesting that he or she read the book to a younger sibling, a stuffed toy or a pet. Research has shown that reading aloud to a dog can boost reading skills.  Libraries in the United States have special times when reading “dogs” come to the library for children to read books to them.

It may take time and effort to get your child to enjoy reading, but think of all the benefits he or she will get from developing a lifelong love of reading.