Reply to 1st grader only wants to read dogman

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Don't make this a thing unless you want to incite him to rebel against your reading suggestions.  Let his reading be a personal choice just like yours is.[/quote]

Exactly. I’m an elementary teacher and my son also only read Dog Man in 1st grade. Now in 2nd he keeps rereading the Diary of a Wimpy kid series over and over. He has access to a lot more books, but chooses those. I really don’t care because—he’s reading and he enjoys it. That’s the goal. [/quote]

Different approaches for different people.  I don't believe that my children's pleasure in reading is paramount just as I don't believe that the fun they have while folding clothes should be the focus.  In my house certain chores must be done, certain books must be read.  My kids do not speak 4 languages by coincidence.  I compelled them to learn.  I believe firmly that children do not know what is best for them in terms of their intellectual development and will thus often reject beneficial and challenging projects and books out of sheer ignorance.  Case in point: When I began reading Animal Farm to my daughters this summer they complained.  Within two days they were begging me to read more.  Had I allowed them to read all the Dogman or Wimpy Kid books they wanted they would never have discovered other, deeper reading pleasures.  I don't allow my kids to eat whatever they want, watch whatever programs they want, socialize with whomever they want, or spend their leisure time as they would want so why would I let them have the free choice of which books they read?  I have my youngest, who is eight years old, reading Le Petit Prins, now.  When she whines I just laugh and assign her a written response.  My kids do not get any screen time until they have done 300 jump rope reps and a high-intensity fitness video.  Adults do not know what is best for them and even when we do know we resist doing it, to our detriment.  How could children ever be expected to make wise choices for their future?  I have said in other threads that our generation's permissiveness as parents is the cause of our children's substandard performance in many areas.  [/quote]

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