Leesmotivatie bevorderen bij zwakke lezers en spellers

Promoting Reading Motivation in Struggling Readers and Spellers

Why is reading motivation so important?

Reading motivation refers to why students read. A distinction is made between:

  • Intrinsic motivation: reading because it's enjoyable or interesting.

  • Extrinsic motivation: reading because it's required or rewarded.

Research shows that intrinsic motivation, in particular, leads to better reading performance and greater reading enjoyment. The more children read, the better their technical reading skills and text comprehension become. Conversely, the better children read, the more motivated they become to continue. Therefore, increasing reading motivation is essential, especially for struggling readers and spellers.

Five effective ways to increase reading motivation

Various studies indicate that the following five strategies are effective in encouraging students to read more:

  1. Align with interests: Choose books that match what the student finds fun or engaging.

  2. Grant autonomy: Let students choose what they read and allow room for their own ideas.

  3. Strengthen sense of competence: Build confidence through success experiences and achievable goals.

  4. Stimulate social connection: Make reading a shared activity, for example, by reading together or discussing books.

  5. Focus on mastery goals: Do not compare students with each other, but emphasize their personal progress.

Specific approach for struggling readers and spellers

For children with reading and spelling difficulties, three additional factors play an important role:

  • Self-efficacy (reading confidence): Students who believe they can make progress are more likely to persevere.

  • Value of reading: Show why reading is useful and important.

  • Change attributions: Help students understand that failure is not due to their fixed 'ability' but to strategies they can learn to improve.

Practical tips for success experiences

  • Using audiobooks: lowers barriers and increases reading enjoyment.

  • Reading together or aloud in class: provided it's in a safe setting.

  • Use engaging books: such as simpler texts, interactive books, or graphic novels.

  • Reading buddies: let children read together to make reading less daunting.

  • Digital support: apps or e-readers can adapt texts to reading levels and add game elements.

Reading as a valuable activity

To help children value reading more, it helps to have regular short conversations. Ask questions like:

  • Why do you think reading is important?

  • What would you like to learn to read that is currently too difficult?

  • How does reading help you with your personal goals?

This way, students discover that reading is not just an obligation, but also a skill that helps them progress in school and daily life.

Conclusion: motivation is key to reading development

Fostering reading motivation in struggling readers and spellers requires an approach that caters to their interests, provides success experiences, and supports personal progress. By creating a safe and positive reading culture, children will grow in their skills and enjoyment of reading.

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