"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 most of us have heard either these lines or something similar when wanting to encourage a reluctant reader to read. Oftentimes we will hear this from children; however, there's a large number of adults who express exactly the same sentiments. This could be problematic for people as a nation 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 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 fraction of American adults (24%) say they haven't read a guide in whole or simply previously year, whether on the net, electronic or audio form. I'm sure we can safely make the leap that those that say they haven't read a guide previously year are those that don't find reading to be their activity of choice.
So, how do convince reluctant or non-readers that it is actually in their finest interest to read more? Just how do we help this segment of the populace know how critical reading would be to everything we do today? Just how do we encourage those that prefer to watch paint dry than reading, grab a guide and read it?
The good thing is, everybody has a minumum of one interest and is likely to have several. There's no topic that has not been written about either in a guide or article form. Actually, there has not been an improved amount of time in our history in terms of accessing information. It is literally at our fingertips. For example, I love aviation and the thought of becoming a pilot and while I have not obtained my pilot's license yet, I continuously read books, blogs, and articles that I would read if I were a genuine pilot. Aviation and piloting an aircraft interests me, so reading about it's not boring or arduous. I share this story to express that the first faltering step is to get the reluctant reader to choose reading material in regards to 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 something which she or he is not interested in. Internet search engines have inked wonders for being able to learn about any topic underneath the sun. Believe it or not, our mindsets have a lot to do with how we view reading. Why not make reading fun? Enjoyable?MyReadingManga
Secondly, we should prioritize our time to include sometime 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 all night at the same time, avid readers read many books all night at a time. If you are an avid television watcher, wouldn't it be possible to trade one of many T.V. hours for reading about something you are passionate about or wish to know more about? Think about the long-term great things about learning something new or increasing your vocabulary or bolstering your comprehension skills. Reading feeds into lifelong learning.
This really 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're sending the wrong message and signal. We do not want one to associate something negative (punishment is negative) with something we wish to see more of, as in this instance, reading.
When the reluctant reader has begun to see reading as something that is enjoyable, she or he should use down times such as waiting for appointments, relaxation after work, etc., on airplanes, trains, and buses as opportunities to get some reading in. Like anything else, reading can and must become a positive habit.
One final step for the reluctant or non-reader to complete is to talk about what she or he has read either in conversation or instruction. It is stated that the simplest way to understand something is to show it, and would you imagine how proud a reluctant reader could be of him/herself after having taught another person in regards to a subject that she or he learn about? Just as we get excited and tell others about how great a video is, we should also get excited and tell others how great a guide or article is. We should generate exactly the same form of excitement that individuals do for movies, concerts athletic events and other entertainment about books.
Three Obstacles to Reading and How to Overcome Them
I personally cannot read fast, but I have seen that after years of reading consistently my reading speed has increased exponentially. Something that helped me to even begin a reading habit was starting with books that interested me. If you are reading a guide only for reading's sake you won't set up a lifelong reading habit. Start with books that you really enjoy. Another action step is to start with books that are less than 100 pages. Do not start along 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 begin another one.
Obstacle Number Two: I Can't Locate a Quiet Destination for a Read.
Solution: Be Intentional and Communicate.
A number of you looking over this have multiple children and a small home. I very much know this obstacle. One method to overcome that is to schedule reading time into your day. Get this to an occasion when you are naturally alert and awake. 30 mins of focused reading time will yield much more profit than three of hours of distracted reading. I realize that mornings are the very best time for me. Be sure to communicate to your household, spouse, roommates etc. when you are going to cover up away to complete some reading. This can stop you from getting frustrated if they can be found in the space to ask you a question or to discuss the newest Star Wars movie. Maybe you are thinking, "I can't ask them to leave me alone for thirty minutes. That's selfish." Trust in me, men, our wives do not want ignorant, boring husbands. Just imagine actually having something to talk to our wives about apart from politics and the newest ESPN stats. Our wives won't mind us taking sometime for intellectual stimulation. Ladies, take advantage of the changing times of the afternoon when the kids are doing homework or having a nap. Another strategy is to make your kids read with you. Some mornings my wife 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 your kids to complete the dishes as you slip away to savor a few minutes of quiet reading.
Obstacle Number Three: I Don't Have Time.
Solution: Remember that Quality Time is More Important than Quantity Time.
Really? You don't have time and energy to read. "I don't have time" is one of many greatest cop out phrases of our day when it relates to commitments. The real issue is that individuals have made too many commitments to the wrong things. The biggest time waster for all of us may be the television. I promise you. Turn off the TV, and you will find that you've a lot of time that you can use to read a book. Start with reducing only one thirty minute show and focus on a book. You will find your appetite permanently reading to start crowding out the appetite for mindless television shows. Oh. Yet another thing. Be sure to turn off your cellular phone as you read too. May your reading become easier and your appetite permanently books grow stronger as you begin this great lifelong habit.
