"I don't want to read." "Reading is boring." Reading is old school." "Reading takes an excessive amount of time." "I'd rather watch the movie." I'm sure many of us have heard either these lines or something similar when trying to encourage a reluctant reader to read. Oftentimes we shall hear this from children; however, there is a sizable number of adults who express the same sentiments. This could be problematic for all of us as a country because reading is the building blocks for learning. As self-service automation becomes more and more a part of our daily lives, the more critical the capacity to read and process information quickly becomes. The only path to construct our reading and comprehension skills is through the practice of reading and for the reluctant or non-readers, they're not getting this practice.
A study conducted by the Pew Research Center in March of 2018 titled Who Doesn't Read Books in America found that about a quarter of American adults (24%) say they haven't read a guide in whole or simply in the past year, whether in publications, electronic or audio form. I'm sure we can safely make the leap that those that say they haven't read a guide in the past year are those that don't find reading to be their activity of choice.
So, just how do convince reluctant or non-readers that it is actually in their finest interest to read more? How do we help this segment of the people know how critical reading is always to everything we do today? How do we encourage those that prefer to watch paint dry than reading, grab a guide and read it?
The good thing is, everyone has at least one interest and is likely to have several. There's no topic that has not been discussing either in a guide or article form. In reality, there's not been an improved amount of time in our history when it comes to accessing information. It generally is at our fingertips. Like, I enjoy aviation and the idea of being a pilot and while I have not obtained my pilot's license yet, I continuously read books, blogs, and articles that I'd read if I were an actual pilot. Aviation and piloting an aircraft interests me, so reading about it is not boring or arduous. I share this story to state that the first step is to have the reluctant reader to choose reading material of a subject that he/she is passionate about. Enable the reluctant reader to self-choose and not be forced, assigned or mandated to read a thing that he/she isn't interested in. Internet search engines have done wonders for to be able to find out about any topic under the sun. Believe it or not, our mindsets have a lot to do with how we view reading. You will want to make reading fun? Enjoyable?MyReadingManga
Secondly, we ought to prioritize our time to add time for reading each day. Reluctant readers will start with maybe ten minutes a day and work their way up to thirty and then sixty. The exact same way avid television watchers can sit and watch television for hours at the same time, avid readers read many books for hours at a time. If you are an enthusiastic television watcher, would it not be possible to trade one of many T.V. hours for reading about something you are passionate about or want to know more about? Look at the long-term benefits of learning something new or increasing your vocabulary or bolstering your comprehension skills. Reading feeds into lifelong learning.
This is for the teachers and parents who may be looking over this; Never assign reading as a punishment. By assigning reading as a punishment, we are sending the wrong message and signal. We do not need anyone to associate something negative (punishment is negative) with something we want to see more of, as in this case, reading.
When the reluctant reader has begun to see reading as something that is enjoyable, he/she should use down times such as for example waiting for appointments, relaxation after work, etc., on airplanes, trains, and buses as opportunities to have some reading in. Like whatever else, reading can and must turn into a positive habit.
One final step for the reluctant or non-reader to accomplish is to share what he/she has read either in conversation or instruction. It is said that the simplest way to master something is to teach it, and can you imagine how proud a reluctant reader will be of him/herself after having taught another person of a subject that he/she find out about? Just as we get excited and tell others about how precisely great a movie is, we ought to also get excited and tell others how great a guide or article is. We must generate the same kind of excitement that people do for movies, concerts athletic events and other entertainment about books.
Three Obstacles to Reading and Just how to Overcome Them
I personally cannot read extremely fast, but I have seen that if years of reading consistently my reading speed has increased exponentially. Something that helped me to even begin a reading habit was beginning with books that interested me. If you are reading a guide simply for reading's sake you will not begin a lifelong reading habit. Focus on books that you really enjoy. Another action step is in the first place books which can be significantly less than 100 pages. Don't start with your great grandpa's "Chronicles of World History." You can normally finish a guide of 100 pages in just several days of reading for 20-30 minutes. The thrill of closing a guide having completed reading it allows you to eager to start another one.
Obstacle Number Two: I Can't Locate a Quiet Spot to Read.
Solution: Be Intentional and Communicate.
A few of you looking over this have multiple children and a tiny home. I very much know this obstacle. One method to overcome this is to schedule reading time into your day. Make this an occasion when you're naturally alert and awake. 30 mins of focused reading time will yield far more profit than three of hours of distracted reading. I realize that mornings are the very best time for me. Make sure to communicate to your family, spouse, roommates etc. when you're going to cover up away to accomplish some reading. This will keep you from getting frustrated when they can be found in the room to ask you a question or to talk about the newest Star Wars movie. Maybe you are thinking, "I can't inquire further to leave me alone for thirty minutes. That's selfish." Trust in me, men, our wives do not need ignorant, boring husbands. Just imagine actually having something to talk to the wives about besides politics and the newest ESPN stats. Our wives won't mind us taking time for intellectual stimulation. Ladies, take advantage of the changing times of the day when the youngsters are doing homework or having a nap. Another strategy is to make the kids read with you. Some mornings my partner and I make our boys read a guide (or look at the pictures) on their own while we have our reading times. Ask your husband and tell the kids to accomplish the dishes as you slip away to enjoy a couple of minutes of quiet reading.
Obstacle Number Three: I Don't Have Time.
Solution: Understand that Quality Time is More Important than Quantity Time.
Really? You don't have time to read. "I don't have time" is one of many greatest cop out phrases of our day when it pertains to commitments. The actual issue is that people have made a lot of commitments to the wrong things. The greatest time waster for all of us may be the television. I promise you. Turn fully off the TV, and you will see that you have plenty of time that you can use to read a book. Focus on cutting out just one single thirty minute show and focus on a book. You will see your appetite permanently reading to begin crowding out the appetite for mindless television shows. Oh. Yet another thing. Make sure to turn fully off your cell phone as you read too. May your reading become easier and your appetite permanently books grow stronger as you begin this great lifelong habit.
