How to get those kids reading!

Encouraging kids with dyslexia to read can be a huge challenge; however, rewards can be a powerful tool to motivate your child! These rewards do not need to be resource-intensive, but as simple as fun activities (e.g., swimming) or quality time with a parent (e.g., watching a movie together). Just make sure to switch up rewards over time to ensure your child is properly interested and motivated.

Our brains get dopamine from activities we like, so when we link an activity we like with an activity we find difficult, our brains start to link the dopamine to the more difficult activity. Often, this process leads our brains to actually crave the difficult activity to release dopamine.

Here are some tips and ideas to get your child reading:

• Using “fun” lower-level books/graphic novels/picture books/comic books to make reading easier and more enjoyable.

• Letting them pick out their own books from a store, comic bookstore, used bookstore, or library.

• Letting them buy books at their school’s book fair.

• Reading books that have been made into a movie and having a movie night.

• Sometimes watching the movie beforehand can help them feel more confident about understanding what they are reading.

• Taking turns reading out loud to each other.

• Getting non-fiction magazines or books about a topic they are already interested in.

• Reading the books yourself and helping them engage with the material.

• Tracking the number of books, pages, or chapters they read and having a reward when they hit certain amounts.

  • Rewarding reading time with screen time can be effective.

• Letting them pick out the books that are currently “cool” or trendy.

• Reading to them, especially a novel that is above their skill level, but is something they are interested in.

  • This may help them explore and develop interests, as well as feel included in conversations with peers.

• Having a regular family reading time, with everyone sitting down to read.

• Demonstrating reading as a fun activity as much as possible.

• If you don’t read, why would they want to?

• Setting up a cozy/luxurious reading time with candles, tea / hot chocolate, fuzzy blankets, treats, and anything else that makes your child feel comfy and snug.

• Read with them and tell them any words they are struggling with.

  • Sounding out words is a lot of work and often makes kids lose the comprehension of what they are actually reading. Assisting them in this way can help them get into the actual story and make them want to read more.

• Try to associate something special with reading, such as a special blanket, snuggling a parent or stuffed animal, a treat, a special drink, or favourite slippers.

• Make it a challenge to see how much they can increase the amount of time they can read silently. Perhaps start with 3-5 minutes, and increase slowly from there.

  
  

Remember ALL reading is GOOD reading! The more positive your child feels about it, the more they will do it, and that will lead to faster and longer-lasting progress.