Setting the scene - Pre-empting and removing distractions and temptations.

Reluctant Readers are often easily distracted, have short attention spans, low concentration levels, or they simply love to fidget.

This week’s aim is to provide you with simple tips that can make the difference between trudging painfully through the week’s reading goals or celebrating an almighty reading win.

By setting the scene, you are removing distractions that can tempt reluctant readers.

Switching the TV off. Or better still, read to your reluctant reader in a different room. If this isn’t possible, sit with your back towards the TV. This will help avert your reluctant readers’ attention as they forget about programmes they could be watching and the gaming consoles that are often attached to our TVs.

Removing toys from view. If possible, read to/with your reluctant reader out of sight of their toys.

If a bedtime read, encourage them to cuddle with one favourite doll, teddy, or toy. Autistic children are often tactile, so allowing them to choose a teddy or favourite toy that won’t be too distracting can result in them settling sooner. Avoid action figures and toys with too many moving parts. A simple teddy, doll, or cuddly toy is usually far more calming.

Kids Carousel

Staying away from the hustle and bustle. In today's world, this is easier said than done. But reading with your reluctant reader in a different room to everyone else or a quieter corner of the house can alleviate distractions.

It isn’t always easy if there are siblings running around, but grabbing just ten minutes with your reluctant reader can be enough time to read and chat about a picture book or read a chapter or two. Obviously, the longer you can spend reading together, the better. But remember, ten minutes of quality reading time is better than none.

Choosing positive characters. If behavioural issues play a part in your child’s reluctance to read, then avoiding characters who fight, argue, bully, or get up to no good should be avoided.

Children can often focus more on a character’s negative actions than the story which can result in children with behavioural issues wanting to act out these actions themselves, losing all interest in the story as they focus on negative behavioural thoughts.

Turn the focus of chatty readers. If your reluctant reader likes to chat, turn the focus of their chatter to the characters and story. What do they think will happen next? Can they tell you how a character is feeling or thinking?  This can encourage reluctant readers to read on to discover if their predictions were accurate. It’s simply about returning focus to the task at hand.

Call to Action

This week, focus on removing all distractions and temptations during reading time.

 Perhaps you can prepare a specific reading nook. A beanbag, or a soft reading blanket to snuggle with. Somewhere or something that is calming and makes a specific area stand out as the new reading space. You could decorate the space with pillows, use your reluctant reader’s favourite colours and add calm lighting.

Make it a big deal, a space you have created especially for them. Equally, if your reluctant reader likes the idea of a bedtime story but struggles with reading, perhaps that’s when you bring out the reading blanket.

Thank you for reading this week’s episode of Reluctant Readers.
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