Blog
Motivate Kids to Read More!
Anne Hauth • November 14, 2024
After decades of helping struggling and reluctant readers, we know this for sure: The more kids read, the faster they'll improve. In One Minute Reader, the quickest path to reading competency is to successfully complete as many stories as possible while maintaining accuracy and comprehension. So how can you motivate kids to increase the number of stories they read?
The One Minute Reader system is inherently motivating, but here are a couple more tips to get kids even more excited:
- Incentives! One Minute Reader gives kids points as they work through the steps for each story. Kids have fun accumulating these points--especially if they result in a reward! Many parents like to offer a small token (a treat, a sticker, a bit of screen time) when their child reaches a certain number of points. Small rewards could also be offered after the child passes a certain number of One Minute Reader stories or gets through a certain number of books. Be sure to verbally recognize your child's achievements, too. When you acknowledge your child's improvement in reading, it's often the best reward of all.
- Change the number of required Read Alongs and Read Alones based on performance. The One Minute Reader program requires kids to read along with audio recordings of the story and then to practice reading the story alone until able to read the story fluently. In the beginning, kids will often need to read along with the recording and practice the story more than once. However, if your child is making great progress and seems ready for a challenge, you can reduce the number of times they're required to read along and practice. (Parents can change these settings or each reader under the My Readers button in the reader management system.) This will allow them to progress through the stories more quickly. Conversely, kids who are not making the progress you'd expect may benefit from increasing the number of Read Alongs and Read Alones required until they become more fluent.
- Do additional research. One Minute Reader stories are about fascinating nonfiction topics. Kids working through the program will learn about everything from the invention of popsicles to meat-eating plants to barrier-breaking athletes. When your child seems particularly interested in a certain topic, it's easy to turn that interest into additional minutes of reading. Help them google more facts about the topic, or better yet, help them find a book about it at the library. The extra time they spend researching and reading about their favorite topic will translate into increased reading proficiency.
- Read together. Reading with your kids is one of the most effective ways to help them improve. When parents take the time to read with struggling or reluctant readers, the kids experience reading as enjoyable instead of frustrating. Teaching them words they may not know or asking them to read paragraphs aloud with you are great strategies to build their competence. One Minute Reader helps kids improve their reading skills independently. When parents combine this program with quality reading time together, kids tend to reach their reading goals quickly and with minimal frustration.
So much of parenting involves trying to motivate kids to do things they need to do but may not want to do. Struggling and reluctant readers often stay stuck because they lack the desire to practice. Finding little ways to encourage them to read more and to read consistently is essential. We at One Minute Reader are here to help! Check out a free trial of our motivating program today, or get in touch with your questions.
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Regardless of where kids are on their reading journey, there are countless ways to incorporate reading into cozy days at home this winter. Here are some easy ideas for kids to try at home over winter break and beyond! Have kids think of the trusted friends, family members, or adults in their lives who can read, and encourage them to read aloud with these people as often as possible. Depending on their reading ability, they can simply listen to a book read aloud, or they can take turns reading and being read to. Have the kids fill out this Read-Aloud Log every time someone reads to them or every time they read to someone. You could offer a small reward for completing this activity every day of winter break (or every day during a predetermined time period). Reading aloud to their pets, stuffed animals, or even to themselves counts too! Set up reading challenges in which kids set goals and record their minutes spent reading or the number of books they read. Have kids color and decorate these winter-themed bookmarks to make reading even more fun. Encourage kids to borrow books from the library and have a big pile to choose from on cozy winter days. See this Cozy Wintertime Book List for book ideas. Refer to our 7 Ways to Create a Cozy Reading Environment document to create an ideal reading space. Lend or gift kids the first book in a series that’s likely to hook them. Sometimes all it takes is the right series to turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm! Incorporate reading time into other fun activities. For example, while making dinner or baking holiday treats, kids can read the recipes and write out the grocery lists. Create a snowflake book wall. Print out this Snowflake Wall Template , and have kids fill out a snowflake each time they finish a book. Then, have them tape the snowflake to the wall. Encourage kids to find ways to read while playing favorite games or while spending time on electronic devices. While playing games, have them read the game instructions aloud. While watching shows, have them turn on and read the subtitles. Have kids practice reading and writing while completing this fun Winter Scavenger Hunt . They’ll get some fresh air too! Refer to this Send Some Cheer printable for addresses to places where kids can send letters. Have them practice their writing skills and spread kindness by writing to kids in hospitals, senior citizens, refugee children, and more. Set up daily One Minute Reader time, and see literacy progress in just minutes! This research-proven, parent-trusted program is free for 7 days and just $8/month after that. Your kids will have so much fun beating their goals, they won't want to stop. Download the Splat-o-Nym vocabulary iPad app , which keeps kids entertained while boosting their vocabulary. Kids can try a free version of this game and purchase to get the full experience. Note that this app is only available for iPads, not smartphones or other devices. Add your own ideas to this list! Our hope is for all kids to experience the joy of reading this winter season and always.
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