Your Grandchild Doesn't Like to Read

Amy Mascott, founder of TeachMama, shares a few ideas on how to encourage reluctant readers in her article “What to Do When Your Child Hates Reading” on PBS Parents.  Among her ideas are these: start small and share reading.
Start small. Just because your grandchild likes to ride horses doesn’t mean she needs to start by reading The A-Z History of Horseback Riding; that may be intimidating—especially for a reluctant reader. Instead, consider watching a horse race with your grandchild. Talk about the jockeys, the scores, the owners and the trainers. The next day, read the box scores in the newspaper or watch a movie about horses, like Seabiscuit.  If the topic of interest doesn’t lend itself to watching a related program or movie, start small by finding a magazine or graphic novel at the library that relates to the subject. Reading doesn’t need to begin with a chapter book; many other texts and various genres can be worthwhile for these readers.
Practice shared reading. Shared reading or reading as a collective experience could entail taking turns reading pages, sections or chapters, or you and your grandchild silently reading the same book. Shared reading can vary depending on your grandchild’s age and needs. For the ideal shared reading experience, choose texts that are rich, engaging and sure to lead to discussion. Part of the “sharing” in shared reading involves talking about the book.

Source: "Your Grandchild Doesn't Like to Read," grandparents.com