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Reluctant reader
- This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 5 months ago by
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I am debating if I should push my 15 year old to read during the summer or not.
He used to enjoy reading and read a lot but now he tells me he doesn’t and is really fighting me about just reading 20 minutes a day, even if I find him books that are his type of books.
He started private school this year and although we are really happy with it they had him read one book the whole school year. 🙁
Should I just let it go or keep pushing???
Is there a summer reading program nearby? Our library has some pretty great prizes for high school ages. Each time they read a book, they are entered for a prize. They also had some activities specifically for this age group.
Or another idea I saw on FB had a little checklist for each day. It had things like read for so many minutes, do chores, do something creative, play outside, etc. It also had things like brush hair & teeth, get dressed, etc. Everything had to be completed before they could use any electronics.
Honestly, we require reading. And part of that goes with Holly’s description. We have zero media before 1pm and the kids lose that media time for the day if they have not read 1 chapter in their current literature book, 1 chapter in the scriptures, done either math or writing(we alternate days), and done their chores. This goes for all ages, 15 yrs on down. For non-readers they have to get me or an older sibling to read aloud to them.
That’s a tough one. I think it depends on how structured your summers are. If they are really relaxed and everyone is kind of on their own schedule, it could be hard to enforce consistent reading time with a 15 year old.
However, during the school year, I think it would be perfectly reasonable to insist on 30 minutes or so of reading at night. If electronic devices are collected when mom and dad go to bed, then there’s nothing left to do but read. 🙂
Thank you all for the feedback.
I didn’t enforce it during the school year as he was really overwhelmed getting adjusted to high school.
I like the idea of having a checklist, and I need to enroll all my kids for the library program, I keep forgetting about it, I usually try to go by myself.
Don’t forget, he’s not too old for read alouds. We are reading kon-tiki as a read aloud now. I skim over the swear words, /slang swears for my 7,10 and 14 yr. olds and they were reluctant at first, but after ch. 2 it took off. they begged me after 33 pages, I was getting hoarse and we had a big hay unloading day the next am, so we needed our rest.
Last year, i’d read around the campfire or stay up late having ice cream floats and we made a party out of it! Remind him that reading is fun and then do it.I’m with the other gals, reading to me is as important as meals and brushing your teeth.
Also, intense physical activity followed by great food ( excuse for a party) then mentioning a read aloud gets my kids everytime.
Also, when it’s so hot out and you’ve just been out, ie swimming, mowing, farm work, coming in under the fan almost always sets the stage for a read aloud in my house. Read aloud and audiobooks in our house are a party!
They generally lego create. paint or whittle while I read. The legeos get dumped out on a large bed sheet and they give and take from the bulk pile, while they each have sorted containers with personal legoes that they barter/swap to create what they desire.
Martha
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