Be a book facilitator and not a dictator
For Struggling or Reluctant Readers
It is possible that one of your children may be a struggling reader or a reluctant reader. Book selection with your child may be frustrating, overwhelming or uninteresting task to be honest. However, you are here reading this post so I am going to speculate that you want to help your child improve this experience.
Let’s start with...
A struggling reader is a child who has reading difficulties in one or more areas of reading. These areas can be in: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, or comprehension. If your child is struggling to understand a story, then they might not feel up to the challenge to find a story that they can actually read and enjoy at the same time. It is possible they may feel left behind with their classmates and want a book that is considered their “grade” level.
A reluctant reader does not struggle with reading but lacks the motivation. I talk with parents whose child is at their “level’ for school but does not want to read outside what is expected from school or even at all.
Why is it hard for a struggling or reluctant reader
to find a book to read?
Now, I am going to state something big here and put myself out there.
So let’s introduce your child to some books.
I do need to mention a few things for parents or guardians who are facilitating their child’s selection. Notice I said facilitating and not another verb. Your goal is to help your child learn how to select his or her own book independently. This will take time and guidance.
I encourage to let your child read books even though they may not be on your school's reading list, at their level, or classic literature.
Watch this video:
Here are 3 factors to consider:
Child’s Interest
What is my child interested right now?
What has my child always been interested in?
What is my child talking about right now?
Social/Emotional Maturity
What is my child's social development level?
What social skills or behaviors does my child have right now?
What does my child have strength in: self-esteem, expressing one's feelings, self-control, taking responsibility?
How has my child handled major life events or current events?
Level of Difficulty
How many words can my child not read on a page?
That's it. Keep it simple and encouraging.
Remember your focus is to help your child find motivation to read and establish a habit of selecting his or her own books on her own. By taking ownership children gain self-esteem and self-confidence. There may be a book you think your child would enjoy but it might be a good one for a read aloud or saved for a later date.
I want to hear from parents and guardians.
What is your concern with facilitating book selection process with your child?
How do you select a book for yourself?