• Reluctant Readers
  • Posts
  • From “Meh” to Marvelous: Making Reading Exciting for Reluctant Readers

From “Meh” to Marvelous: Making Reading Exciting for Reluctant Readers

When children call reading “boring,” it’s often because they haven’t yet found stories that truly spark their imagination. By introducing creative and hands-on ways to engage with books, we can turn reading into an exciting activity that fuels curiosity and a love for learning.

Benefits of Bringing Excitement to Reading

  • Grabs Attention: Creative reading activities make books feel fresh and engaging, capturing a child’s interest from the first page.

  • Encourages Exploration: Fun, interactive activities tied to the story help children connect with the material on a deeper level.

  • Makes Learning Enjoyable: When reading becomes fun, children develop a passion for learning that extends beyond books.

  • Enhances Comprehension: Hands-on activities reinforce the story, helping children better understand and remember what they read.

  • Increases Motivation: Positive, fun reading experiences encourage reluctant readers to keep coming back for more.

 

Strategies to Make Reading Exciting

Here are some creative ways to make reading feel like an exciting adventure

Host a Reading Adventure: Turn a story into a treasure hunt. Create clues or tasks based on the book and reward your child with small surprises for completing each milestone.

  • Use Technology: Try apps or websites that bring stories to life with animations, sound effects, or interactive elements. These tools can make reading feel more like a game.

  • Explore Unique Books: Choose stories in formats such as comics, graphic novels, poetry, or “choose your own adventure” books to offer something different from traditional texts.

  • Act Out the Story: Bring favourite books to life by acting out scenes with costumes, props, or toys. Let your child take the lead as director or main character.

  • Combine Books with Play: If your child enjoys Lego, have them build scenes from the story. For budding artists, encourage them to draw their favourite characters or moments.

Thank you, Trust & Will, for sponsoring this week’s newsletter!

Plan for tomorrow, today. Secure your family’s future with Trust & Will.

Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure your wishes are honored and your loved ones are protected. Trust & Will makes it easy, affordable, and stress-free to create a personalized, legally valid estate plan in as little as 30 minutes. Whether you’re looking to create a will, trust, or set up healthcare directives, Trust & Will guides you through every step. Their easy, step-by-step process allows you to complete your plan at your own pace, all from the comfort of home.

By bringing stories to life through play, technology, and hands-on activities, you can spark your child’s imagination and keep them engaged.

Pauline Tait

Turning “I Don’t Want to Read” into “What’s Next?”

How can we make reading exciting for children who are feeling uninspired?

  • Start with a Hook: Read the first chapter aloud with enthusiasm and drama to grab their attention. Sometimes all it takes is a compelling beginning to draw them in.

  • Plan a Themed Day: After finishing a book, celebrate with activities tied to the story. For a pirate story, throw a pirate-themed day full of costumes and crafts.

  • Build Anticipation: Start a new series and leave the book at an exciting part. The suspense can motivate them to pick up the book on their own.

  • Explore “Weird but True” Books: Nonfiction books with quirky facts and interesting trivia can offer a refreshing break from traditional stories.

  • Let Them Lead: Ask your child to “teach” you about the book they’re reading. This shift in roles can make them feel proud and in control.

Call to Action

This week, try one new method to make reading feel like an adventure. Whether it’s acting out a scene, starting a book series, or exploring interactive apps, focus on turning reading into a fun experience that sparks your child’s imagination.

Reply

or to participate.