Becoming a Better Reader

1. Don’t just read- read well. It’s important to understand what you’re reading, but it’s also important to understand how you’re reading it. Are you skimming? Are you taking notes? Are you underlining? Understanding this can help you improve your reading habits.
2. Read with a purpose in mind. If you only read because “you have too” then chances are that when it comes down to it, your eyes will glide over the words without really absorbing them. When you have an idea in mind that’s related to what you’re reading such as writing an essay about Shakespeare or preparing for an upcoming test on Jane Eyre your brain will be much more likely to pay attention and retain information for later use. Having a purpose in mind, steers you in the right direction.
3. Ask questions while reading. When you ask yourself questions, it helps keep your brain engaged, which makes it easier to focus on what’s in front of you.

You might think that asking questions while reading would slow down your progress through the book, but really it does just the opposite: It helps you process information faster and more effectively because your brain is working harder!

Here are some questions that can help keep you engaged as you read:

– What did I just read?

– How does this connect to what I already know?

– Why did the author include this detail?

4. Don’t judge what you read.

Being a better reader is all about being open to new ideas. The key is not to judge what you read. The more you can read and not judge, the more your mind will open up. You’ll be able to take in new ideas, understand different perspectives, and make connections between things in ways that were previously inaccessible to you.

Becoming a better reader is not an overnight activity. It takes dedicated practice, and it takes the willingness to try something new. Experiment, try different methods and don’t give up if you’re not seeing results immediately.

Leading by example, setting the tone for the love of reading and continuing to develop your own reading skills can inspire those around you and by donating to the WLF you are playing a part in making a difference in other families eager to do the same.