The Reading Tutor and the Boy Who Hated Reading

Reading Tutor Meets Reluctant Reader

As a reading interventionist and writer, I'd like to share a story about how quickly things can change when a struggling reader finds the right approach. Let me tell you about "Jake," The Boy Who Hated Reading.

Two weeks ago, I met Jake for a reading assessment. Usually, children enjoy these sessions – I keep it light, praise their existing abilities, and emphasize that they're smart and capable. Jake seemed to respond well, so I was surprised when I asked if he'd like to work with me and he gave me an emphatic thumbs down. He declared he HATED reading and only liked sports.

Despite his reluctance, Jake's mother enrolled him in tutoring. He was reading about a year behind grade level, and I knew I could help. The challenge was making an activity he actively disliked into something "fun.”

Reading Tutor Works with an Energetic Child to Keep Him Interested in Lessons

Considering his energetic personality and love for sports, I took an unconventional approach: starting with cursive handwriting instead of my usual reading exercises. I thought he would enjoy being able to move his hands during the lesson. Also, as a triplet, learning cursive would give Jake something unique – a skill his brothers didn't have. It worked beautifully. After our first Zoom lesson, he eagerly showed his family his new cursive letters and even "retaught" them to his dad!

I wove phonics and reading practice around handwriting, alternating between analytical learning and creative motor activities. The flow and connectedness of handwriting offer the added bonus of helping readers with dyslexic tendencies to keep letters within words in order. We're now in Week Two, and Jake arrives excited for each lesson. I've also introduced him to carefully chosen stories that match both his reading level and his character – short tales about children and animals, similar to Aesop's Fables, which appeal perfectly to his age and temperament.

Through Engaging the Hand in Creative Activity, Reading Tutor Uses Understanding of Learning Styles to Develop a Child's Interest in Reading and Writing

The key to awakening a love of reading isn't just about teaching skills – it's about understanding each child's unique personality and presenting the right activities in the right way. When I see a child who "hated" reading become excited about discovering new worlds through books, I know I've succeeded.

If you have a struggling reader at home, please believe that positive change is possible. Sometimes it just takes finding the right approach for your unique child.

Sincerely, Linda Rumpf

Reading Interventionist and Kid Whisperer