How to get a kid interested in reading

[Anonymous]

OP here. ^^^^^ Thank you PP. My kid is capable of reading much more complex stuff, he just isnt interested. I'm happy to hear it may come later for some. He reads graphic novels exclusively.

I think this may be more of a "me" issue than a "him" issue. His grades are very good, though, he prefers math to everything else

[Anonymous]

Let him read a variety of books including graphic novels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. ^^^^^ Thank you PP. My kid is capable of reading much more complex stuff, he just isnt interested. I'm happy to hear it may come later for some. He reads graphic novels exclusively.

I think this may be more of a "me" issue than a "him" issue. His grades are very good, though, he prefers math to everything else

We still tell DS that his bedtime is 9, he can read for 30 minutes and then lights out, or he can turn off the lights at 9. He chooses to read. I find it a bit humorous that my non-reading husband wants DS to read more when he doesn't enjoy reading. DH sees the value in DS reading more but it is neither of their preferred activity.

DS reads his D&D books and things along those lines during the day, which works for me. We do discuss why it is important for him to read before bed and how it helps with school and brain development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Two words: graphic novels

Bad advice. These have hobbled a generation of kids.

That’s 100% inaccurate.

[Anonymous]

Take him to the library and let him pick out his own books without your input. Doesn't matter if it's on grade level or an adult-level book about space, or whatever. Don't tell him what to read. Nothing kills the vibe more than being told.

[Anonymous]

I remember when our oldest was in grade school. The teacher wanted to meet with me. Kid is below reading level. Doesn't like to read. Skip ahead, and kid is now in college (honors college at their university) pursuing a very reading-intensive major. Same thing happened with younger child, only with math. Teacher called me in to say this kid isn't good at math and shows little promise. Third grade teacher was incredibly concerned. Kid has an A in AP stats and math is their best subject now. My point is, don't judge your kid by what the grade school teacher says. If teacher says your kid isn't capable, then they just might excel at it later.

[Anonymous]

You’re too obsessed over finding books without pictures. They like graphic novels. It’s reading. They’re fun.

[Anonymous]

If you know your kid can actually read but doesn't seem to choose it as an activity, then you need to work on developing that habit. I would do it however you can, with whatever materials you can find that intrigue your kid. I bet you can find something they will pick up on their own and read. But take off the guardrails and stop trying to filter for books you think are worthy. Anything is worthy if it establishes the habit of reading.

[Anonymous]

We have found a kindle was really helpful. The move to chapter books seemed to have felt just too overwhelming. But by increasing the spacing and font size (and the Kindle still always just being the same size) it really helped get over the overwhelm of starting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you know your kid can actually read but doesn't seem to choose it as an activity, then you need to work on developing that habit. I would do it however you can, with whatever materials you can find that intrigue your kid. I bet you can find something they will pick up on their own and read. But take off the guardrails and stop trying to filter for books you think are worthy. Anything is worthy if it establishes the habit of reading.

Plenty of kids and adults will never make a habit of reading just for the sake of reading. Just like most of us aren’t doing math problems in our free time for fun. But I agree not to try and have them read books you pick.

[Anonymous]

Do you read in your free time (and does DS see it)? My DS started reading a lot more when he saw me reading consistently. Sometimes we sit on the couch together with snacks and read separate books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. ^^^^^ Thank you PP. My kid is capable of reading much more complex stuff, he just isnt interested. I'm happy to hear it may come later for some. He reads graphic novels exclusively.

I think this may be more of a "me" issue than a "him" issue. His grades are very good, though, he prefers math to everything else

This is definitely a you issue. I was a total bookworm and my boys wanted none of it. They would only read stuff like Wimpy Kid and comics.
Last night I put my 5th grader to bed and he's reading the Narnia series of his own accord! I know DCUM would say "my first grader read those" but I'm thrilled.

[Anonymous]

I don’t recall the reading levels of these books but my sports loving son liked Jake Maddox, Mike Lupica and Matt Christopher books. Maddox were the easiest and Christopher’s are from the 70s/80s and may have some older content.

It was a good transition from him not wanting to read to becoming a bookworm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you read in your free time (and does DS see it)? My DS started reading a lot more when he saw me reading consistently. Sometimes we sit on the couch together with snacks and read separate books.

so you promote a sedentary lifestyle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you read in your free time (and does DS see it)? My DS started reading a lot more when he saw me reading consistently. Sometimes we sit on the couch together with snacks and read separate books.

so you promote a sedentary lifestyle?

Jesus Christ, there's nothing wrong with sitting on the couch. I bet you're sitting while on DCUM, total idiot you are