my child hates to read!

[LLMom]

Out of my 7 dc, only 2 (girls) love to read. All 3 of my boys hate it, one girl tolerates it, and the baby (who is 8 and just picking it up on her own) claims to hate reading. They all love for me to read out loud, but for those 5, it is not an activity they choose to do on their own. I understand for beginning readers it can be frustrating to read, but it really bothers me that they don't like to read. I have read widely and extensively to these children. Anyone have any great ideas to develop more of a desire to read?

[AimeeM]

While I know this may not be popular on these boards, I am a huge advocate for taking them to the bookstore and letting them buy what they want to read (within reason, I mean; consider what you deem "appropriate" in terms of content) - yes, even fluff.

 

My daughter (almost 12) hated reading until about a month ago. I mean, hated it with a passion. Sincerely. Never picked up a book and looked decidedly miserable when made to read for an assignment.

 

Suddenly she discovered fan fic (on her ipad). Then she discovered the Percy Jackson books. Since those discoveries, she has been using her OWN money (allowance) to buy more of the series and reading very frequently (and with joy).

 

Frankly, I'm glad I didn't go the route of only allowing "quality" literature or books. I am an avid reader (and read almost anything I can get my hands on), but that is because I was given free reign; had my parents insisted I read only their version of good books/literature, I would have revolted and probably not have picked up a book voluntarily until my 20's. That's just me though (I had a bit of a rebellious streak, lol).

[Ellie]

Out of my 7 dc, only 2 (girls) love to read. All 3 of my boys hate it, one girl tolerates it, and the baby (who is 8 and just picking it up on her own) claims to hate reading. They all love for me to read out loud, but for those 5, it is not an activity they choose to do on their own. I understand for beginning readers it can be frustrating to read, but it really bothers me that they don't like to read. I have read widely and extensively to these children. Anyone have any great ideas to develop more of a desire to read?

 

 

Well, that they don't choose to read very much on their own doesn't mean they "hate" to read. :-)

 

Not all adults read very much, either. It's just the way it is.

 

If they enjoy your reading aloud to them, then that's when you read the books you think it's important for them to experience. Make sure they have ample access to books on their own, and don't nag them. :-)

[unfrumpable.]

My son has conflicting statements. If I ask him to read something during school time, it is like I am torturing him on the rack.

 

On his own, however, he is always "reading" books. I put it in quotes because many times he is just looking at pictures and not actually reading, but so many times he'll come to me telling me he read this or that book. He has a lot of books (as do I) and at least looking at books is something he does daily.

 

I used to have him read some every day for school. He hated that and I eventually stopped. I think things have improved as far as him reading on his own since I stopped forcing it. When I do have him read aloud in school, his reading is actually rather good.

 

I read a decent amount myself and I have read to him since he was an infant. He loves for me to read to him too. I hope he develops my love for reading, which is part of the reason why I stopped the daily school readings too.

[mathmarm]

Not all adults read very much, either. It's just the way it is.

If I may be so bold as to agree with that sentence. I am an adult, I am a college professor with a few degrees to my name. I don't enjoy reading and I don't read fantastic literature/riveting novels. I lead what most Americans would deem to be a fairly successful life.

 

However, I want a positive and influential reading role model for my future kids and I have, as a grown woman, chosen to begin exploring literature and what I might learn by reading it more indepthly.

 

I wouldn't worry about the kids just yet. They have books on CD/audio file at my library, maybe you could let them pickout books to listen to.

[texasmama]

My oldest son prefers nonfiction books on his areas of interest, which include horticulture and meteorology. He never enjoyed fiction. No problem. Then he discovered A Series of Unfortunate Events through his younger brother and read all 13 in short order. He said he likes books that don't have a happy ending. My point is that he was 12 before he did much reading for pleasure. He just had not found the right books for him. :)