Ways To Help Your Complex Learner Become A Lifelong Reader
When your child struggles with reading, it can feel nearly impossible to get them to pick up a book. While reading struggles are common for many Complex Learners, that doesn’t mean you can’t help them develop a love of reading.
Reading and all of the skills that go along with it (critical thinking, comprehension, inference, etc.) are critical to future success. So, how can you help your child develop a love of reading?
Build Excitement:
When you have a resistant reader, one of the most effective strategies you can take is to try to build excitement around reading.
- Create your own “Family Book Club” by choosing a special time, day, and treat so that your child looks forward to it. This new family tradition is a great way to get the whole family involved!
- Create a memory. Sharing the love of books with your children is a memory that they will never forget and hopefully, one day, pass on to their children.
- Make a special trip to a bookstore or a library used book sale and have your child help pick out the next book for your Family Book Club. Giving responsibility to your child can help them feel more connected to this special family activity.
- Lead by example. You are your child’s greatest role model. Don’t be afraid to share your own love of reading and books with your child!
Support Comprehension:
Many Complex Learners struggle with comprehension when it comes to reading. If your child doesn’t understand the story, chances are they’re not going to enjoy it. To help support comprehension try some of the following.
- If reading together, take time to reflect on previously read chapters to refresh your child’s memory
- Use a variety of -WH questions (Who? What?…) while reading to check for understanding
Get Creative:
Lastly, students with multiple learning differences need to be able to access their materials in a variety of ways. When it comes to reading and comprehension – don’t forget to get creative!
- Depending on the age and ability of your child, don’t be afraid to try different types of reading materials including graphic novels, audiobooks, or non-fiction books.
- After finishing a chapter or a storybook, have your child illustrate their favorite scene using paint, markers, crayons, or household objects.
- After finishing a book, have a movie night where you watch the film version of the story with themed snacks!
- Lead a personal discussion by asking your child if he or she can make personal connections (self-to-text, text-to-world) to the text. Ask your child if he or she can relate to a character’s feelings or actions.
School Connection:
As a parent of a Complex Learner, you know how important the home-school partnership is. There’s no exception when it comes to reading! To help your child develop their reading skills, be sure to support the reading that’s happening in the classroom.
- If a book is being read in your child’s classroom,
- Ask your child to explain the plot of the story to you or describe their favorite character
- Do a repeated reading of the chapters that were read in class to help your child further develop their comprehension of the material
- Assist your child in creating concise summaries including characters, setting, main idea, conflict (problem), and resolution (solution)
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to your child’s teacher or classroom team to ask how else you can support your child’s reading!
When you help your Complex Learner uncover their own love of reading, you’re unlocking a whole new world for them to explore! Want to get notified when there’s a new World of Complex Learners blog post?