It can be so hard to encourage your child to read, particularly if they find it stressful or have additional reading difficulties such as dyslexia. Here are some magical tips from International Elf Service – experts in making reading fun – which really help reluctant readers …
Create a cosy space
Find a space in their room or somewhere in the house that can be specially for them. Make it a quiet place where they can relax, and where they can shut out the world and safely delve into their imaginations. Fill it with books, audiobooks, and any other things that spark their enthusiasm, and, soon enough, they’ll discover that reading is fun and that stories can bring them on the most exciting adventures.
Let them choose
When a child is allowed to choose what they read – whether it’s a comic, the instructions to their newest toy, the complete works of Shakespeare or the back of a cereal box! – they’ll always be more interested and engaged. Be enthusiastic and avoid making judgements about their choices. If you give them the freedom to follow their own interests or favourite topics, reluctant readers, children with reading difficulties and dyslexia are much more likely to enjoy it. Not only that, they’ll gain the confidence to read more!
Celebrate their progress
Avoid putting pressure on them to read, but congratulate them whenever they do. As they gain confidence, suggest some easy–to–reach goals such as reading a few small chunks of text, getting to the end of the page, or finishing a chapter. You can even encourage your child to read by suggesting that they set their own targets and offer simple rewards if they reach them. Most importantly – keep their focus on the fact that reading is fun!
Be a good role model
The best way to encourage your child to read is to read yourself. If your child sees you reading, and if you show them how much you love to read, they’ll soon follow in your footsteps. Tell them about what you’re reading, share stories with them, and discuss what they’re reading with enthusiasm. Tell them what your favourite books were as a child, and give them examples of how reading has made your life more interesting or how an adventure has added excitement to your day.
Be active and creative
Make reading more engaging for the reluctant reader by suggesting ways to make it more active – turn part of the story into an imaginative game or a scene from a play, draw pictures of the characters or an exciting moment, listen to the audiobook while you follow on with the text, or write a different ending to one of the scenes. The more actively involved they are in the story, the more they’ll feel connected to it and enjoy what they’re reading.
As experts in magical multi-award-winning storytelling, dive into our library of quirky, and most importantly, FUN things to read! All delivered by International Elf Service … the Most Magical Post Office …
“Elfie’s letters have definitely helped improve my children’s reading skills. It’s been noticeable through the years. From me having to read the letters to them, to them trying and succeeding to do it alone. I don’t have to nag them to read and it’s a competition between the 3 as to who finds Elfie’s letter first. Much more fun and exciting than a school book!!” – Lucy
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