What do you do when your child just wants to read (early elem)?

[4KookieKids]

I have a kiddo who recently started reading for enjoyment (so ignore my post from last month asking if you require "fun" reading from your kiddo! lol). So the issue I'm currently unsure about is this: he wants to "just" read and write stories. But I need to be clear: he doesn't want to give up his *play* time to read and write a story.... he wants to give up his (relatively little - 1 hr max daily) structured *school* time to read and write his own stuff... Sometimes he wants to read "school-y" stuff (he's currently sitting on the couch and alternating between reading Elephant and Piggie and his BA guide) and other times he just wants to read or write a story about wizards, complete with illustrations of dragons.

 

I'm torn between "Yea! Awesome! If you want to spend the day reading and writing - more power to you!" (particularly since his math skills are much stronger than his reading/writing at the moment) and "Mmmm... should we still do *some* directed... something?"

 

How do you handle this? And in what ways (if any) is your answer dependent on how behind / on target / accelerated your kid is in reading/writing or all the other areas that are being skipped to spend time reading?

 

 

Edited April 6, 2016 by deanna1ynne

[regentrude]

Early elementary? Any reading and writing would count as "school" for me. I would insist on the daily short math lesson and otherwise indulge the passionate reader by providing quality books in large quantities.

 

I don't see what writing skills he could not develop by writing his story about wizards and dragons - it's a brilliant way to get him engaged in language arts.

Edited April 6, 2016 by regentrude

[SKL]

I agree that it's great he's motivated to read, write, and draw.  I agree with insisting on math, and I might also designate one or two days a week when there is some time carved out for other stuff you want to cover.

[Bluegoat]

I would probably just go with it, do a short math lesson as regentrude suggested.  Possibly handwriting if that was an issue.

 

You might make a sort of compromise with reading material, maybe you can choose every third book, say.  You could slip in some different things that way, and just keep a little more balance in his reading.

[Eagle]

I would let him read and write for "school time" and then sneak math-based puzzles, games and activities in later in the day along with some fun science. And some audiobooks during play time. For my ds, morning = school, so he doesn't count all the educational afternoon activities as school. We even do school-work at bedtime, but he doesn't count that either. :)

[theelfqueen]

I would insist on math and do a lot of strewing/guided library time to lead his reading interests into a variety of areas.

[Arcadia]

My boys at that age did 10mins of workbook math, some assigned reading and an hour of leisure reading. My DS10 would skip reading for lego time even now hence the 1hr daily requirement. My DS11 would read instead of play.

 

What my kids would have skip at your oldest's age if they did not have some assigned reading from me, hubby and their german teacher:

 

DS10 - history/social studies, literature, art, music, german reading homework

 

DS11 - history/social studies, german reading homework

 

They do unplanned science everyday because they love mess, especially edible mess.

[Guest]

Let him. Play msth games to keep arithmetic fresh.

[Guest]

Math

[mamiof5]

I think it's such a personal question, and there's no right/wrong answer. In our homeschooling I need structure, unschooling doesn't work for me (not saying you are unschooling, just giving an example in the total opposite spectrum). So, for my sanity I'd have him do his structured time first, and then he's free to read/write/draw etc. And as others mentioned, I'd keep a balanced fiction/non fiction assortment of books.

[4KookieKids]

I think it's such a personal question, and there's no right/wrong answer. In our homeschooling I need structure, unschooling doesn't work for me (not saying you are unschooling, just giving an example in the total opposite spectrum). So, for my sanity I'd have him do his structured time first, and then he's free to read/write/draw etc. And as others mentioned, I'd keep a balanced fiction/non fiction assortment of books.

Honestly- I've g got three younger children... I'm ok with skipping the structures stuff for a season!! :) just worried that I'm somehow gonna do things wrong and mess things up.

Edited April 6, 2016 by deanna1ynne

[Ravin]

I would let it go during a project. It took me way to long to learn that with DD. 

[mamiof5]

Honestly- I've g got three younger children... I'm ok with skipping the structures stuff for a season!! :) just worried that I'm somehow gonna do things wrong and mess things up.

Oh! I have no doubt he'll be just fine. And remember how quickly they change! As you mentioned, last month you were asking about reading for fun, that changed within a month? Maybe right now he wants to read instead of doing the other stuff, maybe in a few weeks it'll be different. You never know :)

[Chris in VA]

Do you still read aloud to him? I might be thoughtful about choosing read alouds to include content you want him to have.

And I'd do math.

And I'd have him do some chores around the house.

 

Other than that, reading and writing his own stuff would be awesome!

 

Caveat--what grade? 3rd and below, I'd be fine. 4th and above, I'd say I'd feel more comfortable with some structure.

[Ellie]

I have a kiddo who recently started reading for enjoyment (so ignore my post from last month asking if you require "fun" reading from your kiddo! lol). So the issue I'm currently unsure about is this: he wants to "just" read and write stories. But I need to be clear: he doesn't want to give up his *play* time to read and write a story.... he wants to give up his (relatively little - 1 hr max daily) structured *school* time to read and write his own stuff... Sometimes he wants to read "school-y" stuff (he's currently sitting on the couch and alternating between reading Elephant and Piggie and his BA guide) and other times he just wants to read or write a story about wizards, complete with illustrations of dragons.

 

I'm torn between "Yea! Awesome! If you want to spend the day reading and writing - more power to you!" (particularly since his math skills are much stronger than his reading/writing at the moment) and "Mmmm... should we still do *some* directed... something?"

 

How do you handle this? And in what ways (if any) is your answer dependent on how behind / on target / accelerated your kid is in reading/writing or all the other areas that are being skipped to spend time reading?

 

I let 'em read.

 

We might do some directed learning first thing in the morning, but we'd be finished by lunch, and then the rest of the day is theirs.

[SKL]

How about giving him a book budget and letting him practice math skills that way?  :)