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Reading to a 6 yr old
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My oldest son is nearly 6 years old and is just starting to learn to read. Up until now he has not shown much interest in books or being read to. While I’m thrilled that he is enjoying learning to read I’m a bit frustrated that he still does not show much interest in being read to. We’ve tried Little House books, Treasure Island, Winnie the Pooh, etc. We don’t get very far because he’s so resistent. He mostly wants to read Dr. Seuss books.
This will be our first year homeschooling and I’ve decided to do a “light” year with the focus on continuing to improve his reading, copywork, some math, and scripture memory. We’re casual about nature study and also picture and music study. (Sidenote: I discovered he loves Beethoven’s 5th – how cool is that?! Makes me happy.) If all goes well and we decide to hs next year, I will start him on the curriculum posted here (which I think looks totally great!).
My question is if I should push him more with regards to his reading material. Should I insist on reading Treasure Island or whatever or shall I give him more time?
Thanks – Becky
I say give him some more time. If you want to pull out a book from Module 1 and offer to read it to him, go ahead, but don’t insist if he’s not interested. On a side note, here’s our experience. My ds was 6 in Feb. Sometime last year, when he was five, he was digging under my bed in the boxes of books I have for later and found Ramona Quimby, Age 8. He wanted me to read it to him and he loved it, especially the chapter in which Ramona accidentally gets egg in her hair. He also liked Henry and the Paper Route and Little House in the Big Woods, but doesn’t want anything to do with the rest of the series right now. So when we started first grade two weeks ago, I had him choose from Little House on the Prairie, Farmer Boy, Charlotte’s Web, or Winnie the Pooh. He chose Charlotte’s Web and he loves it! He even reminds me to read it sometimes. When we finish, I’ll offer him the other three I just listed plus Trumpet of the Swan. I have a feeling he’ll choose Trumpet.
Hope my ramblings help.
Karen
I would stop reading to him and just let him see you read and you laughing out loud as you do. I am very cautious of pushing something my kids are clearly not enjoying. I do not want them to learn to hate it.
Also, as far as Dr. Seuss, I wouldn’t care what my kid was reading as long as he enjoyed it. Loving to read is much more important than content at this point. If he loves to read, he will read lots of great books eventually.
My suggestion would be to keep trying for very short intervals. Have you tried Thornton Burgess books? They are animal stories and the chapters are very short. What about poetry? You could just get in one or two at a time. Start with some funny, less intimidating ones like Shel Silverstein. I think Dr. Seuss is fine too and some of his books are a little longer like Horton Hatches an Egg. I would keep trying to expose him but certainly don’t push and I think the9clarks had a great suggestion to let him see you reading and laughing and enjoying Thornton Burgess or something. Oh, or what about books on tape or cd? Maybe if it was playing while he was doing legos or playdough. And I sometimes read during lunch if we are short on time.
Thanks everyone. Nerakr – I also loved Ramona Quimby! 🙂 ha! But I love the idea for giving choices when we start 1st grade – I think that’s what I’m most worried about. the9clarks – did you mean he should see me reading books that I want him to read or my own stuff? I read quite a bit, but could maybe see how if I showed interest in something on his level…. But I totally agree – I want him to love it – even if its Dr. Seuss, which actually isn’t too bad especially for giving a beginning reader confidence. lgeurink – yes, I tried Thornton Burgess but he wasn’t too into it, but I’m wondering if I was more consistent? Took shorter segments? Idk. I also tried some audio books – we have a version of Pinocchio with sound effects that both kids love and they actually made it through the whole Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We only listened to them in the car, though, and now we aren’t driving as much! Figures! I tried the Boxcar Children at home, but I think it was over his head. That one I tried to do while he was playing, but I don’t think he paid much attention to the story – could be because it wasn’t very interesting to him. Again, not sure how much I should push, but I think you are all advising patience, which is sound advice. Thanks!
I’d say give it some more time too. When we first switched from twaddle to the classics and good literature we’re reading now, my kids were hesitant. They wanted to know where the pictures were! We started with short reading sessions, and as soon as they displayed a disinterest, we closed the book. Sometimes I would sit down with a particular book by myself and pretend to read and really enjoy myself. They would wonder why I was having so much fun without them, and that made it really easy to grab their interest. My son is 6 now, and LOVES to be read to and to read by himself. Sometimes I have a hard time getting him to look up from his books and pay attention to what I’m saying to him!! ha!
Hope that’s helpful,
Lindsey
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