• Home
  • Shop
    • Dr. Seuss Book Club
    • Disney Book Club
    • Baby Einstein Book Club
    • Sesame Street Book Club
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • My Page

Enriching Young Minds

  • New Parent
    • Brain Development
    • Health & Nutrition
    • Sleep & Self Care
    • Milestones
  • School Readiness
    • Getting Started
    • Social & Emotional Life
    • Family & Community
    • Milestones
  • Reading Lifestyle
    • Parenting Tips
    • Making a Difference
    • Fun, Food & Games
    • Milestones
  • Learn to Read
    • Common Challenges
    • Learning Styles
    • Smart Strategies
    • Milestones

How to Improve Your Child’s Attitude Toward Reading

November 10, 2015 by Maria Tallarico Leave a Comment

Reluctant reader curling up with a good book
Sometimes children are reluctant to make reading a part of their daily routine, whether it’s because of their frustration with learning new words or the fact that they’re far more tempted by cartoons on TV or games on an electronic device. As a parent, it can be easy to get frustrated, too, but it’s important to remember that how we talk about reading with our children is a key part of cultivating a positive attitude toward reading.There’s no doubt that children are little language sponges—let a stray expletive fly after banging your toe on the coffee table and they’ll be cursing for a week. Creating a dialogue about reading is the same thing: keep it exciting, encouraging, and fun.

Here are four of our favorite techniques:

Trade “Have To” for “Want To”

girl with a bad attitudeReading may be a necessity, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a chore. The language we use around story time can affect the way children approach books. Save the absolutes for things like “We have to wash hands” or “We must pick up our toys”—the not-so-fun stuff. Reading should be offered like other activities that inspire enthusiastic responses; “I’d LOVE to read a bedtime story with you” sounds infinitely more enjoyable than “We have to read now.” After they pick up on the positive language, reading time will skyrocket to the top of their to-do list, right alongside playing, going to the park, and going on a treasure hunt. Bonus: here’s how to create the perfect reading nook.

Avoid the Librarian Shush

It’s late and bedtime is being dragged out by some creative, if non-sequitur, storytelling. It’s certainly tempting to ask for a rapt and quiet audience so you can get through the book (and back to that pile of laundry) more quickly. But engagement—reading along or making up stories to go with the pictures—should be encouraged. If time is of the essence, let your little one flip the pages to get to that happily-ever-after a little sooner.

Emphasize Learning Over Speed

Learning to read is a lifelong necessity and skill, something that will evolve with brain development and emotional growth. Using words like best, top, and smartest puts a competitive bent on reading, which can lead to frustration and feelings of inadequacy. Being the top reader in class is certainly an accomplishment, but the emphasis should be on what children are learning, not how much faster they can finish a book than their classmates. Treating reading like a race implies that, sooner or later, there is a finish line.

Remember There Is NO Wrong Answer

Struggling through a book with a new reader can be a test of patience, particularly if the child is exhausted or distracted. No matter the stumbles and mispronunciations, try to stay engaged, even when correcting simple words for the umpteenth time. Never tack on exasperated phrases like “that’s wrong” or “you’re not doing it right.” Broad criticism can make a child feel powerless. Instead, let them know you are proud of their progress. Talk enthusiastically about what they have recently learned and what they will learn next.

Once you’ve set up an exciting environment in which to read with your child, it’s time to pick the perfect book. Here are our recommendations for read-aloud books for kids of differing ages to help get you started and improve your reluctant reader’s attitude toward reading!

Photo © Jedidja/Pixabay

Filed Under: Common Challenges, Learn to Read, Making a Difference, Parenting Tips, Reading Lifestyle Tagged With: child attitude, improve attitude toward reading, Reluctant Reader, Struggling Reader



Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

connect with us

email newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and find out what's going on with us!

QUIZ

Dr. Seuss Who Said It?

Take this quiz to find out how well you know your Dr. Seuss quotes.

LET'S GET STARTED

Your Score!

 

 

TAKE OUR LATEST POLL

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

SURVEY

  1. Which Dr. Seuss Character Are You?
  2. Are You A Helicopter Parent?
  3. ......More
a little about us

Julie Temple Stan

julie

Reading advocate. A cappella geek. Sleep-deprived mommy. Editorial Director.
follow @ KidBookMommy.

Jamie Levinthal

Jamie

Brand-new mama. Trained K-6 teacher. Sucker for the outdoors and vintage everything. Champion of all things reading.

Elizabeth Cook Babbin

Elizabeth

Reading Specialist. Mom. Cheerleader for kids. Doctoral candidate. Lifelong learner.

Celia Behar

Celia

Envelope pusher. Therapist. Writer. Bourbon lover. Lil' Mama.
follow@Therstar @Thelilmamas www.thelilmamas.com

More Bloggers...

Cynthia Stierle

Cynthia

Hiker. Dog lover. Book reader. Clutter keeper. Beach goer. Drama mama. Writer.

Dottie Enrico

Dottie

Book lover. Norwich Terrier owner. Iris Apfel devotee. World-class coffee drinker.

Miranda Daniloff

Miranda

Wife, Mom & Stepmom. Reader. Writer. Blogger. www.beyondworklifebalance.com

Melissa A. Kay

Melissa

Writer. Truth seeker. Fitness devotee. Food and wine enthusiast. Companion. Feline fanatic.

Laurie Petersen

Laurie

Explorer. Writer. Editor. Absurdity seer. Recovering nag.
follow@lauriepete

Geri Coleman Tucker

Geri_Coleman

Journalist. Soprano. Struggling clarinet player. Disability advocate. Travel enthusiast. Jack Reacher fan.

  • Home
  • Shop
    • Dr. Seuss Book Club
    • Disney Book Club
    • Baby Einstein Book Club
    • Sesame Street Book Club
    • Hooked on Phonics apps
    • Hooked on Phonics Products
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • My Page

© 2016 Sandvik Publishing, Danbury, CT, 06810. All rights reserved.