How do you get kids interested in reading?

[Neenie1]

Ah, I'm a little worried about my dd, I can't seem to get her into books. (she's 3) I take her to story time at the library and she doesn't like it at all. She reads maisy books (about the mouse) and that's it. She doesn't like to sit for story times at home or anything like that. She wants to get her books and she will look at the pictures but she won't let anyone read them to her. I think she likes the Maisy books because the pictures are really bright coloured and eye catching.

Just wondering if anyone with older kids had a child like this who later grew up to read well. It's so hard and there is such a difference between my children. My son from a very early age loved stories, and loved the library story time and now that he is 6 it's normal for us to read for 1/2 hour each night or even longer. He will read a bit to me, and then I will read stories/longer chapter books to him. he has a year 2 reading level (he is in year 1) and they have to get books from the year 2 classroom for him to read lol. I just wonder if my dd will be able to read later on. I am assuming she will be able to but maybe it's not her "thing".

 

[CelticRose]

Neenie, reading is all about the use of language, not just books soo see if she likes any of these better: nursery rhymes (said not read & with actions if you know them), singing, poetry (something with a good rythmn may appeal), telling her own story aloud (if she seems keen write it down for her & get her to draw pictures), make a simple book for her about her/her family that she can tell herself (no words necessary) games (like a treasure hunt) that have a story with them & written clues/instructions. Silly ryhmes/songs like 10 little monkeys jumping on the bed also double as a counting game. I used to lie on my bed with my Ditz & we would take it in turns to tell a simple story. Later we expanded on this & told stories sentence & sentence about. I'd say one, then Ditz would say the next one etc. Ditz, at 13, reads well above age level though it's not her favourite activity & she is particular about what she likes but she is very musical & does better with language in song format.

 

[Hadassah]

Have you tried books that come with CD's or Cassettes that are "read along" books?

I used to love those before I learned how to read.

My mom just always read to us when we were babies forward and all of us love books. I asked and she said that's all she did, read to us from her books and from ours.

 

[GolfingMom]

I wouldn't worry about it

DS is just getting into it and he's 6 The more you push it, the more she she might push back.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

I agree with the above.

I've been reading to Emily since she was a newborn and now she's 2 1/2 and loves to read. My mom did the same with me and I really don't like to read. Each child is different. She may take interest in reading later.

 

[latebloomer]

At 3, my son wasn't much interested in books either. He's getting more interested all the time. Read to her as much as she'll tolerate. My mom read to us every night and when we went to town for groceries on Saturdays, we always stopped at the public library. We have assorted reading tastes now, but we're all readers. You might check your local library children's department to see if there's anything she might like and let her help choose the books. We have lots of "Little Golden Books" at our house. If there are special favorites, read them over and over, even if you get sick of them and could recite them in your sleep. I love Sandra Boynton books, and they come in board books. The pictures are hilarious. My son loved them when he was 3. Her animal ABC is the funniest alphabet book I've ever read. And don't forget to let your children see YOU reading for pleasure.

 

[TCat]

Another important factor that helps is your kids seeing the adults around them reading, especially for pleasure. Going to the library and bookstore is encouraging and playing letter recognition games as you drive along help.

My DS has always loved reading, we read to him alot and he loved reading games as a young child. By 4th grade he was reading at a Jr. High level and by 8th grade he was reading well into college level. Hard to find appropriate books by then.

DD is 4, she likes being read to and will look at books but it is not her passion like her brothers. So, maybe it will not be something she adores but each kid is different so...

 

[heart of peace]

I'm subbing and I'll be back later to post a coherent thought...lol

 

[Sabertooth]

Every child is different, but this worked for some of our kids. Write down jokes, riddles or anything else clever OR pass around books that have funny remarks in them, like Reader's Digest, to the readers in your family.

If the younger child wants to know what it says, tell him or her it's only funny if you know how to read...

Also, age-appropriate comic books might be another approach.

 

[GolfingMom]

Poetry is a good way to go too. My son's teacher recommended the book "YOU READ TO ME, I READ TO YOU" for those of us who have kiddo's that would rather not read There are few of them

http://www.amazon.com/You-Read-Me-I...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221276261&sr=8-1

 

[HeatherJay]

Maybe it's not the reading that's bugging her...maybe it's sitting still, ya know?

Try reading to her while she's playing. Or let her put her babies to sleep while you read them a bed time story.

I agree that it's more about exposing her to beautiful language and thoughts than actually having her sit down to hear a story. Just talking to her, drawing, making up stories, encouraging an active imagination...

 

[Neenie1]

Thanks for all the replies. I did log on yesterday to read them, but didn't have time to post. There are some really great suggestions and things to think about. She does like her Bible and will sit and listen to Bible stories. So that's a start.