Motivating Reluctant Readers
- Kimberly Stewart
- Jul 18
- 3 min read
Motivating reluctant readers is a topic that I frequently hear discussed. Helping our children become stronger readers and gain a love for literature can be very challenging, especially when they lack motivation. I have two children; one is an enthusiastic reader, and the other is the opposite.
So why are some children so reluctant to read? Let's dig a little deeper and explore this topic with some suggestions to increase motivation.
(As an Amazon affiliate, I will provide links throughout this post to products I have personally found supportive of children's literacy development.)
Reading is just plain hard!
Children who struggle with decoding words, understanding phonics, or comprehending text may become frustrated and lose motivation to read. Let's face it, when something is hard, anyone can struggle with motivation to persevere.
If your child lacks reading motivation because reading is challenging, talk to their teacher about where they think the breakdown is. Support your child at home by reading to them to build their vocabulary. Play phonics, sight word, and sentence-building games. Try this fun pop-it game that supports the mastery of syllables and digraphs: https://amzn.to/44Vmb0C .Offer your child the opportunity for success by finding books they can read without struggle.
Help your child find a "just right book" by following the five-finger rule. Allow them to select a book that appeals to them. Have them open up to any page in the book and begin reading. Hold up a finger for each word they either can't read or mispronounce. If you reach five fingers, then the book is likely too hard.
0-1 fingers: The book might be too easy.
2-3 fingers: The book is likely "just right."
4 fingers: The book is challenging.
5 fingers: The book is too difficult.
If the book your child chooses doesn't lend itself well to the five-finger rule, then aim for a 95% accuracy rate to help determine if the book is suitable for independent reading!
Try to keep reading activities as positive and fun as possible. When things get tough, motivation can plummet!
Try these highlighting finger trackers for struggling readers. I've used them with all ages of elementary students, and the little rings make them unique and fun! Think of your traditional highlighter strip, but with a ring attached for easy tracking.
Struggles with attention can impact reading.
For some children, it can be hard to maintain focus while reading. Their mind may wander, and then they struggle to remember the words they just finished reading. When they need to continuously backtrack and re-read so the text makes sense, it can be time-consuming and frustrating! Supporting your child by creating an environment that lends itself well to focus can benefit their reading. Be sure they have a space to read free from distractions and screens. Encourage frequent breaks during reading sessions and consider audiobooks for those who benefit from auditory support. Consider setting up a tent (https://amzn.to/3IAKfys) as a fun "reading zone". Fill it with comfy pillows and your child's favorite books! Additionally, for children struggling with focus, selecting shorter stories, graphic novels, or magazines might be right up their alley.
Motivation suffers from a lack of engaging reading materials.
When children have lost motivation to read, they might just need the right reading materials! Talk to them about their interests or gauge book types by their movie or TV show favorites. Allow your child to select books that will ignite their curiosity and spark their interest. If they love sports, animals, or adventure, seek out relevant books that they can relate to.
I invested in a Kids Amazon Kindle for my daughter, and it has been an amazing motivator. It makes reading convenient and fun. She honestly brings it EVERYWHERE and has read an uncountable number of books on it over the last year or so. It was so wonderful for her that I also gifted one to my niece and nephew, and they, too, are finding that they read more.
The newest version of the Kids Amazon Kindle is linked here. The bonus is that it's waterproof! There are also fun cases to choose from. https://amzn.to/46iLqfP
Additionally, look for a series your child might enjoy. Character development can support reader engagement and increase a child's motivation to read. My children have loved the Amelia Bedelia chapter book series (https://amzn.to/4eYmSv0), The Magic TreeHouse books (https://amzn.to/45aS4no), Dog Man (https://amzn.to/40r9cTe), and most recently Harry Potter (https://amzn.to/4kJgbyd).
Beyond excited to READ!!
Wishing you all the best in motivating your reluctant reader. Reach out and let me know strategies that you have found to be successful! Remember motivating our children to read is a marathon, not a sprint, so take your time, pace yourself, and dive in for the long run!
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