Reluctant Readers

Signs of a Reluctant Reader  By Liana Chandler (Bach EC, M.T & M Ed Spec)

Signs of a reluctant reader; when it is reading time a child will:

 

• be instantly distracted 
•  try to change the task into something else
  
•  ask questions and try to talk rather than read
  
•  refuse to read
  
•  change their normal behaviour
  
•  misbehave (throw a tantrum, talk back, etc)
  
•  become sensitive and teary
  
•  show little interest and effort
  
•  become the ‘class clown” or “entertainer”

 

So what commonly causes reluctancy in reading?

• Missing basic knowledge of reading rules
• Fear of being criticised by parents, teachers and peers
• Lack of confidence and anxiety at failing at reading, e.g., “giving up”
• A possible learning difficulty (a learning difficulty is NOT the same as a learning disability!)
• Lack of interest in content, boredom
• Overwhelmed or overworked at home or school e.g., “Too many other things to do”
• Reading content is not ability appropriate e.g., “too hard” or “too easy”
• A possible learning disability e.g., Autism, Asperger’s, etc.

  It is important to note that it can be more than just one reason!

  How do you know what the problems are or problem is?

   

1. Indicators that the fear of being criticised by parents, teachers and peers may be the cause;
   
    
   
   

• Is a perfectionist (must get it right the first time)
  
• Would rather not try than make a mistake
  
• Easily frustrated when wrong
  
• Avoids reading for some people but not others
  
• Wants to practice or read alone
  
• Compares themselves to other people
  
• Avoids reading or presenting work in class
  
• Acts shy to avoid reading to others
  
• Reads very, very, very softly (like a mouse)
  
• Looks for others reactions to their reading
  
• Beams when they get it right and others acknowledge
  
  

 

1. Indicators that your child may be anxious or lacking confidence;
   
    
   
   

• Displays signs of hopelessness
  
• Is shy and unwilling to try new methods
• Avoids reading and presenting work to anyone
  
• Displays bad behaviour to mask true feelings
  
• Compares themselves to other people
  
• Shuts down when it is time to read
  
• Puts themselves down regularly
  
• Is teary and distraught over small things
   
  
  

1. Indicators that it may be a learning difficulty;
   
    
   
   

• Often restless and easily distracted
  
• Confuses basic words
  
• Slow in memory recall
  
• Confuses letter shapes, numbers, etc. (back-to-front)
  
• Difficulty following instructions and routines
  
• Slow to learn new concepts and skills
  
• Struggles sequencing ideas
  
• Difficulty connecting letters sounds to letters shapes
  
• Finds it difficult to learn in a group setting
   
  
  

1. Indicators that your child may have a lack of interest in content, boredom;
   
    
   
   

• Complains about reading material
  
• Genuinely shows no interest in subject of text
  
• Shows interest in other books than currently reading
  
  

• Every page is like pulling teeth
  
• Can’t recall main events (eyes glazed over)
  
   
  
  

1. Indicators that your child may be overwhelmed or overworked;
   
    
   
   

• Looks genuinely tired and exhausted
  
• Irritable and cranky at the thought of doing another thing
  

• Yawns whilst they are reading
  
• Has tantrums and mood swings
  
• Tells you about all the things ‘they have to do”
  
• Becomes disorganised and chaotic
  
• Has an activity every day after school (over committed)
  

• Is given huge amounts of homework/assignments
  
   
  
  

1. Indicators that the reading text may not be ability appropriate; 
   
   

• Your child wants to read but finds it too hard or too  easy
  
  

• Your child spends all their time decoding words and reading is slow and broken
  
  

• The meaning is lost because it’s too hard to read or, the text is so easy the child reads it quickly without paying attention
  
  

• The text is so easy, they are bored of it
• The book content is not age appropriate
  
   
  
  

1. Indicators it may be a possible learning disability;
   
    
   
   

• Delayed speech and vocabulary growth
  
•  Extreme distraction, restlessness, impulsiveness
  
•  Poor coordination, unaware of surroundings
  
•  Fine motor skills slow to develop
  
•  Trouble reading body language and facial expressions
  
•  Trouble grasping basic concepts, letter formation, letter sound, questioning and answering, etc.