"I don't like to read." "Reading is boring." Reading is old school." "Reading takes too much time." "I'd rather watch the movie." I'm sure most of us have heard either these lines or something similar when attempting to encourage a reluctant reader to read. Oftentimes we shall hear this from children; however, there's a sizable amount of adults who express exactly the same sentiments. This could be problematic for people as a country because reading is the foundation for learning. As self-service automation becomes more and more part of our daily lives, the more critical the ability 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 are 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 book in whole or partly in the past year, whether on the net, electronic or audio form. I'm sure we are able to safely make the leap that those that say they haven't read a book in the past year are those that do not find reading to be their activity of choice.
So, how do convince reluctant or non-readers that it really is in their best interest to read more? How do we help this segment of the people know the way critical reading would be to everything we do today? How do we encourage those that prefer to watch paint dry than reading, grab a book and read it?
The good thing is, everyone has one or more interest and probably will have several. There's no topic that has not been written about either in a book or article form. Actually, there has not been an improved amount of time in our history with regards to accessing information. It generally is at our fingertips. For instance, I enjoy aviation and the thought of learning to be a pilot and while I haven't obtained my pilot's license yet, I continuously read books, blogs, and articles that I'd read if I were a genuine 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 faltering step is to have the reluctant reader to decide on reading material about a subject that she or he is passionate about. Permit the reluctant reader to self-choose and not be forced, assigned or mandated to read a thing that she or he is not interested in. Internet search engines have done wonders for being able to find out about any topic underneath the sun. Believe it or not, our mindsets have too much to do with how exactly we view reading. Why not make reading fun? Enjoyable?MyReadingManga
Secondly, we must prioritize our time to add time for reading each day. Reluctant readers may start with maybe ten minutes each day and work their way around thirty and then sixty. Exactly the 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 a devoted television watcher, wouldn't it be possible to trade one of the T.V. hours for reading about something you are passionate about or would like to know more about? Look at the long-term advantages of learning something new or increasing your vocabulary or bolstering your comprehension skills. Reading feeds into lifelong learning.
That is for the teachers and parents who may be scanning this; Never assign reading as a punishment. By assigning reading as a punishment, we are sending the wrong message and signal. We do not want one to associate something negative (punishment is negative) with something we would like to see more of, as in this case, reading.
Once the reluctant reader has begun to see reading as something that is enjoyable, she or he should use down times such as for example awaiting appointments, relaxation after work, etc., on airplanes, trains, and buses as opportunities to have some reading in. Like whatever else, reading can and must become a positive habit.
One final step for the reluctant or non-reader to do is to talk about what she or he has read either in conversation or instruction. It's stated that the simplest way to master something is to show it, and is it possible to imagine how proud a reluctant reader could be of him/herself after having taught another person about a subject that she or he find out about? Just once we get excited and tell others about how exactly great a movie is, we must also get excited and tell others how great a book or article is. We must generate exactly the same type of excitement that individuals do for movies, concerts athletic events and other entertainment about books.
Three Obstacles to Reading and How exactly to Overcome Them
I personally cannot read extremely fast, but I have noticed that after years of reading consistently my reading speed has increased exponentially. One thing that helped me to even begin a reading habit was beginning with books that interested me. If you are reading a book just for reading's sake you will not establish a lifelong reading habit. Begin with books that you really enjoy. Another action step is in the first place books that are less than 100 pages. Don't start with your great grandpa's "Chronicles of World History." You can normally finish a book of 100 pages in only a few days of reading for 20-30 minutes. The thrill of closing a book having completed reading it allows you to eager to start another one.
Obstacle Number Two: I Can't Find a Quiet Spot to Read.
Solution: Be Intentional and Communicate.
A number of you scanning this have multiple children and a small home. I greatly know this obstacle. One method to overcome that is to schedule reading time into your day. Make this a period when you're naturally alert and awake. Thirty minutes of focused reading time will yield much more profit than three of hours of distracted reading. I discover that mornings are the most effective time for me. Be sure to communicate to your household, spouse, roommates etc. when you're going to cover up away to do some reading. This can keep you from getting frustrated once they can be found in the area to ask you a concern or to discuss the new Star Wars movie. You may be thinking, "I can't inquire further to leave me alone for thirty minutes. That's selfish." Trust me, men, our wives do not want ignorant, boring husbands. Just imagine actually having something to talk to the wives about other than politics and the latest ESPN stats. Our wives won't mind us taking time for intellectual stimulation. Ladies, make the most of the days of the day when the kids are doing homework or going for a nap. Another strategy is to make your kids read with you. Some mornings my partner and I make our boys read a book (or consider the pictures) independently while we've our reading times. Ask your husband and tell your kids to do the dishes when you slip away to enjoy a few momemts 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 for you to read. "I don't have time" is one of the greatest cop out phrases of our day when it relates to commitments. The true issue is that individuals have made a lot of commitments to the wrong things. The biggest time waster for all of us is the television. I promise you. Switch off the TV, and you will discover that you've a lot of time that you could use to read a book. Begin with eliminating just one single thirty minute show and give attention to a book. You will discover your appetite for good reading to start crowding out the appetite for mindless television shows. Oh. One more thing. Be sure to turn fully off your cellular phone when you read too. May your reading become easier and your appetite for good books grow stronger as you begin this great lifelong habit.
