Some children take naturally to reading and devour books by the shelf load? others are more reluctant. This might be because they are struggling with the actual business of reading, or that they just haven?t caught the reading bug and don?t find it interesting. This often happens with children who are more active and outdoorsy.

If your child isn?t keen on reading, there are lots of things you can do to get them reading more, and encourage them to enjoy it.

Tips on Encouraging Reading

Read together ?

this way, they get to spend time with you, and you can share your excitement about the book you choose. Take turns to read aloud to one another and make it a part of your routine. This is an ideal way to show your child how exciting a story can be?

Choose reading material carefully. If sport is more your child’s thing, then find books about their favourite team or stories aimed at sports fans? there are lots of books that are specifically aimed at children with different hobbies and interests, from football to ballet.

Don?t limit it to fiction ? some children will get more excited by a factual book that helps them learn about something they are interested in. A children’s encyclopaedia can be a fantastic way to get a budding scientist or history buff into reading ? ask them a question and get them to look up the answer, teaching them that reading is the key to discovering. This style of book is great for the easily distracted and those with poor concentration as they can dip in and out of the book when they choose.

If your child is too active to sit and read, then choose the time of day carefully. Make reading a treat by allowing them extra time to ‘stay up late? (you can adjust bedtime to compensate if you want!) to read in bed. This can turn reading into a treat and help an active child switch off and get to sleep more easily.

For children who really don?t seem interested, you can sneak reading into their day in the same way that many of us resort to sneaking vegetables into meals! Treasure hunts with written clues, activity plans with instructions and games that involve reading are all ways to improve your child’s reading ability without them feeling that they are struggling. In time, the improved ability will make them more open to reading by choice.

The library can be an inspiring place for a child. Being able to choose from such a wide range of books makes can tempt even the most reluctant of readers. Give your child freedom in the library to choose what they want. Include a book you can read together and let them spend time reading in the quiet environment of the library. You just might find that being surrounded by books and people reading rather than by toys, televisions and computers, makes them happier to spend some time reading by themselves.