Sunitha Muralidharan
Sunitha Muralidharan is a freelance writer and storyteller, based in Bengaluru. She worked as a librarian for about twenty years in IB/IGCSE schools.
Making every child read is a challenge to teachers, parents and librarians. The easiest way to address this issue is to put ourselves in their shoes. Just like adults don’t like to be forced to read something, children should not be compelled to read anything just because another child his or her age is reading. Here are a few guidelines to make reading one of their favourite life-long past times
Let them choose the book on their own, either from the library or the class library. It can be fiction or nonfiction (chapter books, books on football, dinosaurs, space, etc.).
Kids love to quiz each other. Stock up on books of world records and fact books.
Comics, books on jokes, books with riddles, etc. are enjoyed by reluctant readers as well as seasoned readers.
If they ask for advice, suggest books that have a series.
Books made into movies are always an instant hit.
Guided reading – Teachers/librarians can read a book aloud for ten to twenty minutes at the end of the day. If possible, try to stop on a cliffhanger.
Struggling readers find comic books and graphic novels less intimidating. Children with autism also enjoy graphic novels.
Ask students to recommend a book to their friends. This motivates them to explore their own interests. We also have to remember not to insist that a book be completed. If they don’t feel like reading on a particular day, let them reflect on a book that they have already read by drawing the characters in the book or the title page of the book. At home, the family as a whole can make reading a daily ritual for 10 to 15 minutes, just before bedtime. Once this becomes a habit, the child may choose his own time and may extend the duration as well. Audiobooks of their choice can be played during trips.
Reading gives them the gift of imagination!