odd reading dilemma

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  • August 1, 2008 at 1:29 am
    Rachel White
    Participant

    I could use some advice. I’m alittle frustrated with the reading choices I’ve noticed lately w/my two 7 yr, olds. They seem to enjoy learning so much that they are not interested in fictional reading as much as they used to be. All they want to read it factual, knowledge based books only. Now they enjoy my reading fiction to them (which I need to get back to more than once or twice a day, which may be part of the problem-exposure)and they enjoy listening to it on audio, also once they read what I schedule they agree it’s good; but everytime I make a suggestion at the library for fiction I get resistance. It wasn’t always like this.

    I know this is a weird dilemma and I know we all have our preferences of reading for pleasure and/or learning. But I want don’t want them to miss out on all the wonderful fiction and historical fiction out there and read for pleasure AND knowledge.

    How should I go about this?

    Thanks,

    Rachel

    August 1, 2008 at 11:47 am
    csmamma
    Participant

    Hi Rachel,

    Just to let you know when my oldest ds (who is almost 13) was 7 – all he wanted to read were books on different types of animals, bugs, machines, space, robotics and the list goes on. He was so excited when he would get another one of “those” books from the library and couldn’t wait to have me read them to him.

    We still read some literature,historical fiction and biographies…. and even though he enjoyed them, they didn’t excite him nearly as much as the usborne & eye witness type books.

    Now, I have to say that slowly (maybe by the time he was 9 or so) literature started to excite him more and the “information” books started to dwindle down to only a couple here and there.

    Now, he absolutely loves books of all kinds and will devour everything. I’m really glad that I let him pursue his interests then because he delights in reading now.

    I think you’re doing great! You said that you’re still reading other books to them throughout the day and they are enjoying them, right? Then, I think its a great balance! You keep picking out the “good” literature books and they get to rummage through the shelves to find the fun information books. My son still remembers the “JOY” of getting to do that. 🙂

    Blessings,

    Heather

    August 1, 2008 at 3:09 pm
    CindyS
    Participant

    Rachel,

    I’m with Heather. As a matter of fact (speaking of facts), you are so blessed to have this ‘dilemma’ versus the opposite one! I have noticed what you are describing is not unusual at that age (7 to 11 or so), especially in boys. They are such information sponges and, now that they can read for themselves, it seems like they can’t get enough. Be thankful that they have had a love of reading modeled for them so that they are turning to books versus just wanting a spattering of info from the internet (which really dumbs us down, IMO). If you really want them reading fiction on their own periodically, I’d go about it in small doses and allow them to help in the selection for awhile.

    Blessings,

    Cindy

    August 2, 2008 at 6:49 pm
    Rachel White
    Participant

    Thank you Heather and Cindy. You’ve been helpful in calming me in this area. What ya’ll described about 7 yr. olds is exactly what they are doing! I’m not an easily paniced person but I was feeling myself “feeling” disappointed and anxious(sp?) about them missing out on all the great Lit!

    I’ll continue as I am (as long as the library allows us in!) w/reading aloud the lit. and assigning one hist. fiction to my son on Hist. days. Of course, they have their Elson Readers, Reading-Lit. Readers(from Yesterday’s Classics)-which has excellent lit., poetry and folk tales; and the Pathway readers that they enjoy, too.

    In fact, I was so pleased when, yesterday, my son came across our “Teddy’s Button” book and wants me to read it aloud again.

    Thanks so much!

    Rachel

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