Reluctant Readers: Getting Them Engaged

Why I Want to Help Reluctant Readers

I am on a mission to help reluctant readers gain confidence in their reading skills. This journey began early on in my teaching career at a charter school for at-risk youth. My school was home to a diverse population of children, many of whom found school to be a constant struggle.

I taught math and science in the middle school wing of the school. My students were all in my room as a result of something rocky happening in their past. Aside from some pretty extreme behavior issues, most of my students felt safe and as if they belonged in our little community.

Like many schools, every spring brought on the pressures of state testing, and like many teachers, I always found myself scrambling to get in as much information as I could before the big test.

One of my biggest hold-ups was the content being lost as a result of my students refusing to read. I had so many reluctant readers in my classroom, and I was constantly struggling to engage them in reading. My students would not so much as read instructions let alone read multi-sentence paragraphs.

In response to this, I began creating comics to depict the information in a more visual format, and to my surprise, it worked! Even my most reluctant readers were engaged in reading the content. Students who were once avoidant of reading anything at all were finally finding success. Comics help reluctant readers discover the joys of reading.

What Makes a Child a Reluctant Reader?

There are many reasons why a child may be a reluctant reader. Some common reasons include:

1. Lack of interest in reading: If a child is not interested in reading, they may be less likely to want to do it.
2. Difficulty with reading: If a child is struggling with reading and finds it frustrating. They may become discouraged and reluctant to read.
3. Limited access to books: If a child does not have access to a variety of books, they may not have the opportunity to find something that interests them.
4. Poor reading habits: If a child has not developed good reading habits, such as reading regularly or finding a quiet place to read, they may be less likely to want to read.
5. Learning disabilities: Some children may have learning disabilities that make reading more difficult for them, which can lead to reluctance to read.
6. Other distractions: Children may be more reluctant to read if they have access to other forms of entertainment, such as television or video games, that they find more engaging.

What are Some Signs of a Struggling Reader?

There are several signs that a child may be struggling with reading:

1. Slow reading: A child who is struggling with reading may read slowly. They may take a long time to get through even short passages.
2. Difficulty with decoding: Children who struggle with reading may have difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words or recognizing common sight words.
3. Poor comprehension: Children who struggle with reading may have difficulty understanding what they have read. They may need to re-read passages multiple times or may not be able to answer questions about the content of the text.
4. Avoiding reading: A child who is struggling with reading may avoid reading whenever possible. They may only want to read very easy books.
5. Struggling with spelling: Children who struggle with reading may also struggle with spelling. They may have difficulty sounding out words and recognizing patterns in written language.

From my own experience, I witnessed these warning signs on a regular basis. I needed to do something to help them find success in school.