Anonymous wrote:My kids followed the same pattern. 1st loved books in infancy, second two wouldn’t sit still with them until 15-18 months.

The household is far more interesting to an infant when there are other children in it! They observe more activity, get different ideas of how to manipulate the world around them, have more distractions.

Same with mine. They are 10 and 8 now and both love reading.

My kids followed the same pattern. 1st loved books in infancy, second two wouldn’t sit still with them until 15-18 months.

The household is far more interesting to an infant when there are other children in it! They observe more activity, get different ideas of how to manipulate the world around them, have more distractions.

I’d just occasional open and show a page of a book. When he’s interested, turn the page. Start there.

Hat was not normal was your oldest sitting for AN HOUR while you read picture books?! That’s not super normal for most ages.

My two year old loves books and has sat still with great joint attention for reading for probably close to a year now (since he was somewhere in the 15 month range). He was not interested really at all at 10 months but we always read to him and didn’t worry about whether he was sitting still for a whole book at that age. Now I have to cut him off bc my voice gets so worn out.

I had the same experience as you (and several other PPs). The first one was a listener, and the second one was a mover.

It’s ok to keep reading, even if it doesn’t seem like he’s listening. It feels silly, but a lot of times they’re soaking it in even when it looks like they’re not. If it feels less silly, choose books that are songs. My younger one would pick up a book I’d swear she didn’t listen to at all and totally read it back (even at that age, like babbling with the same intonation I used for a particular book).

Anonymous wrote:He is 10 months old. Your expectations are unrealistic.

OP here - My first sat through at least two full picture books pointing babbling being quiet that’s why this is a shock to me haha

Ahem, sorry OP. I'm sure he will appreciate it some time and it will be good that he has books available to him when he is ready for them.

He is 10 months old. Your expectations are unrealistic.

I have 3 kids-none of them were interested in books until they were 15-18 months old. Now, at ages 2, 3, and 5, they love books! I just kept showing them books each night, but I didn't push it if they weren't interested. Eventually they realized how fun stories are!

OP here thank you for sharing everyone, eating my humble pie as with my first I thought I did so well as we could read for almost an hour uninterrupted.

My oldest wouldn’t sit still for anything; she started sitting a bit more at 2/2.5 but now at three she mostly wants to “read” to herself. I grew up being read to a ton so I’m a bit sad that it isn’t properly part of our routine yet but I just take the cuddles and the reading when and where I can get them. My younger is marginally better but still won’t regularly listen to a whole book without trying to grab it at ten months.

My two were exactly as you describe. The first was a very early reader (before age 3); the second was early too, but not crazy early, like started at age 4, fluent by mid-K, even though he never seemed interested in books. He just picked up the skill.

Notably, the second also has ADHD. They are teenagers now, and the second still only reads the books he is required to read (loves comedy and acting though); whereas the first still can't walk by a book without picking it up.

Just leave him be and read to your oldest.

Some kids dont sit still until way later. I have 2 girls and the first wasnlike your first. Second didnt sit still for a book until 2. I still read to her and bow at 3 she loves it and asks for more.

With my first, I started reading from newborn days - big books small books sound books touch books, everything! And he just sat and stared in wonder and would be the only time we’d cuddle and have it be part of our routine. He’s a daredevil too walking at 10ish months climbing and now at 4.5 is the same BUT could sit for hours reading talking about the pictures the story asking questions just LOVING the books.

So I did the same thing with my second baby and he is now 10 months and has NOT sat through any book reading I mean any!!! No nighttime book or even an activity style book I keep spending money on sound books and touch books and he lasts one page then literally flips it closed and crawls off.

What I am doing wrong how can I get him to sit still a minute or two to read a book, any book? And I’ll be honest book reading is the only time I get to sit still with my oldest and this just hasn’t happened yet with my second.