How to get a reluctant reader to read

Practices makes perfect. How then do you get a reluctant reader to read in order to improve their reading skills?

1. Hold the TV and gaming devices hostage. There is no television or video gaming until after a minimum time is spent reading or a book is completed.
2. Find out your child’s true reading level. Reluctant reading could be a sign of a child behind the rest of their class or struggling to keep up. Then work on reading well at their current reading level before advancing to more challenging texts.
3. Go to the library and enjoy the variety of reading materials. Let your child try books and move immediately to another title if it is too hard. The issue is to get practice.
4. Install educational software for reading, literacy and spelling on your home computer. Set up a timer to enforce a minimum time spent on the educational software. Turn off the internet connection to prevent surfing instead of learning.
5. Take turns reading pages of a bed time story.
6. Reading is a skill improved by practice. If your child is struggling at their current reading level, read many books at the lower level. After reading speed and comprehension improves, return to reading at the higher level.
7. Workbooks on reading, spelling, phonics and comprehension are cheaper than tutors. Buy a few workbooks on the areas in which your child is weak and set aside time each day to build up these skills.
8. Bribery, though often maligned, can help. Offer a reward for completing a certain number of books. For young children, use five as an attainable goal. For older children, require ten books read. That number can be reduced if chapter books and longer books are read. Offer a reward like a movie night, miniature golf or family outing of the child’s selection. Before flinching at the price of the outing, remember that this is cheaper than several hours at a tutoring center. Require a minimum score, at least the equivalent to passing grades, before any rewards are given in return for the work.
9. Use the library’s free movie lending to reduce the cost of bribing your child to read. Permit your child to select a movie to watch at home after they have read a book at the library. If they refuse to read, place the movie back and go home.