How do you get a child to like to read?

Answer 1

You can't "get" a child to like anything. The best way would to get books with a subject matter that would interest them.

Answer 2

I wish you would have said how old the child is. I never had this problem with any of my kids [four of them!] I read to them even as teenagers! It's fun.

Ok, I was also a RIF rep. Which is a reading is fundamental Rep. They do it in preschool so maybe I might have some ideas.

1. Ebay has great deal on magazines! Most magazines you can get them on Ebay for a fair price, cheaper than if you order it from the company.

2. Books are easy to get from paperbackswap.com. I have gotten my son many books that way.

3. What types of stories does your child like [in this answer I'm assuming your child is young]? Comic books, Goosebumps, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl are good for grade schoolers. But my child reads at a higher level then most kids. Do some research about what children your child's age like. If it's a girl barbie and bratz are good.

4. Ask your child's teacher what books they are reading in class? A lot of teachers will loan the child books.

5. Library, library, library!

6. Read to your child.

I hope this is helpful. If not please feel free to email me, I may be able to help more. I feel reading is very important. Oh, and let your child see you read, then he/she knows it's important. If the child is having trouble maybe the school can help out. I know our school has intervention after school to help children who can't read well learn to read better.

It will be very embrassing for your child to stand up in class and read [which they often have to do] and not know what he's doing. Kids are mean, I had that problem because I was shy and would stutter and I was teased all the time. It's no fun. Good luck to you. It's good to see a parent who cares!!!

Answer 3

I don't know. I have 2 children, now 22 and 20. I am an avid reader always have been. Loved books since I was little. So I have encouraged, exposed, read to both children equally, knowing the importance and wanting to share my love of reading with them. My oldest since day 1, ok, not day 1(well it seemed like day 1) but shortly there after showed the same fascination with reading. When my youngest was born I went through the same reading routine as with her sister, only now she had two people to set examples and encourage. But from day 1, ok, not day 1, she really had no interest. I'd try to read to her and she'd get up and go play. I continued sometimes getting through only a paragraph at a time, but she just never took to it. Today my oldest has a degree in English and my youngest has no interest in reading, books, etc... she's a more "hands on" person. She has many talents but none are related to reading. So for me, in my experience, it didn't make a difference. That said, I do believe that being well educated in reading, writing, spelling etc..will enable any child to be successful, whether they "like" reading or not. My youngest doesn't like reading in her spare time, but she gets A's in English, speaks and writes intelligently, has a higher than average comprehension level. That's the best you can do and more important than liking to read.

Answer 4

I don't know how old your child is, but we started very early on when our kids were infants and read to them and always had books around for them to look at. I am convinced that reading to my kids when they were very young helped develop their love of reading. If they are older, get books and magazines that are connected to their interests. Make sure they see you read as well. You need to set a good example. Turn the TV off and have designated no TV time in your house, this can help too.

Answer 5

Read to your child every single opportunity you can. Pick engaging, lively stories that will leave your child wanting to know "what happens next?" You didn't mention the age of your child; if you did, I could recommend some specific books. Read to him/her while he/she is in the bath, eating cereal, getting ready for bed; always have a book with you so you can read if you're waiting in line somewhere. I read to my child from the day he was born and he loves to read now. Don't make reading a chore or punishment: "you have to read 20 minutes every day." Rather, make it a delight! "I have a great story I'm going to read to you!" Good luck, and happy reading.

Answer 6

Depends on the age but if it's from 4 to 7-8,I would give the child a book of fairy tales and he/she would be interested enough to start reading.

Answer 7

Depending on how old your child is - I usually read the book to my son (7) and then I'll have him to try to read it to me (or he'll tell me what he thinks the pictures are saying). Sometimes vice versa. I'll have him to tell me what the pictures would say in words and then I'll actually read what it actually says. With my younger two I read a lot of books to them. I've heard that it is important to read at least 20-25 minutes daily. This should help your child to want to read. Good Luck!

Answer 8

I am guessing your child knows how to read but just says he/she doesn't like to read? What are y ou encouraging your child to read? Comic books may not seem like worthwhile reading material to some but if they get your child to read then go for it! Also, find websites for the chid to read - a child doesn't have to read books to improve their reading. Start by making reading fun for your child. Another good thing would be to help your child find a pen pal - either writing letters or emails back and forth - this encourages reading and writing!

Good luck!

Answer 9

it's hard to say what really works but I can tell you what worked for me. My older son, now 10, reads everyday . He loves it but it was not always so. When he was little we read and read and read . He would tale his books and build ramps for his hotwheel. no interest. Of course, he learned to read and had to rea for school but very begrudingly. we continued to read to him. about 2 years ago he got grounded for something to other and wasn't allowed TV, Video games, or even toys. He was only allowed to read or be read too. He got SOOOOOOO bored that we found him in his room one afternoon just reading. It must have been a GOOD story because he hasn't stopped since. So sometimes it just takes the right story of book to grab them and their imagination. With my younger son, he just has a natural love for books and stories and asks to be read to all the time. Some kids respond well to the reward system. I have seen bookmark with timers. Maybe if your child read a cerftain number of minutes a week he/she gets a small prize. Eventually they may learn to enjoy it for it own sake. Also, don't just give them one genre to read. Try comic books (or like Captain Underpants), newspaper , magazines (Nickelodeon and Disney have mags, who didn't love Highlights as a kid?), non-fiction books like how things work, etc. You never know what will click with your child or what they might find interesting.

Answer 10

How old is the child? Are we talking about enjoying books in general, or to like to read on their own?

Read to them a lot. Let them see you reading for pleasure yourself. Take them to the library to pick out books and for storytimes. Talk about the stories you read. Make up stories together. Pretend to be characters from different favorite books. Encourage quiet time in bed with books at night.