How often do you read to your children? - Spinoff of Stormy's book post

abbysmommy · 01-24-2007, 02:30 PM

At what age do you stop reading to them?

I guess I'm a bad parent. I don't read enough to my kids. Abby (3) ASKS me to read and I'll read to her and I sometimes initiate reading to her, but after about two pages of even a short book, she's squirming and not wanting to sit and listen so I end up reading to myself.

Skylan (8) struggles a little with reading...would she benefit from me reading to her or should I always make her read to me?

Jacob (11) and Catie (14) would croak over if I made them sit down and listen to me read unless it was something they were extremely interested in and each of them have different interests. How do you find a book that interests all four children of varying ages?? Catie loves to read and probably reads two books a week...Jacob likes to read ok, but never finishes a book because he loses interest pretty quick.

Ideas??

Missystuy · 01-24-2007, 02:34 PM

Everyday. We take turns. Meghan is an EXCELLENT reader so I let her read to us often. She reads lots of books on her own too. Samantha is still learning, so she reads some and I read some. But we ussually read together at least 1 book everyday.

as far as books that internest them, my girls love the FAiry Haven books. We read the first one together, and now Meghan reads the others to her sister. The are lovely books, full of Tinkerbelle, adventure, friendship and fantasy.

3boys · 01-24-2007, 02:36 PM

I read to them every night before bed time. They're 5 and 3 1/2 right now so are not reading on their own. Sometimes I'll even read to them during the day if i'm working from home that day.

Claire · 01-24-2007, 02:37 PM

We have always read at least every night to the kids. Sometimes during the day, too, but definitely at night.

My oldest now reads so he reads us a story and we read him one, too. The other two get a story a night, too.

It warms my heart when I see my oldest reading to his brother and sister.

hindsight2020 · 01-24-2007, 03:12 PM

I'm a para at our local school, I work a lot in our Title 1 room -- based on what I have come across, Skylan would really benefit from all types of reading, but taking turns would be wonderful: Skylan can learn from you about how to sound out words, how to use expression when reading out loud, and she will learn new words; giving her a chance to read to you gives her a chance to practice, as well as reduce the boredom and antsiness that comes with sitting and listening to someone else.

You can encourage both your younger and your older ones to read by letting them pick out books at the library. Your oldests won't want to read to you, but you can help foster reading appreciation. Your youngest may gradually want to listen to more of the story if you persist, but then again, maybe not. You can even implement a reading rewards program -- those work wonders.

Stormy · 01-24-2007, 03:31 PM

Dh and I tell ds that we are going to read to him until he leaves the house, and we're not kidding!

I have the book "How To Get Your Child to Love Reading" by Esme' Raji Codell and would suggest it to anyone who loves to read and wants their child to love to read. She has some wonderful suggestions for read-aloud way into the elementary years that are too detailed to go into here.

We've had Family Reading Nights where tv is off and everyone reads - we read to ds and then we don't watch tv at night, we both read.

I Used to be a reading snob. Not anymore. I find value in reading just about anything (ok, not P*rn!) Be they feather-headed romances or algebra books, to me it doesn't matter. Just read! Anything! I try to always have a book 'going'. I'm a slow reader, so it might take me three weeks to complete a book. Someday I'd like to learn to pick up my speed, but for now I'm just content to keep reading.

With one ds, it's really easy because our read-aloud choices are based on his likes. I guess if I had more than one I'd read one general book, then have to switch the kids off with the other parent. I'm not sure.

desertmom · 01-24-2007, 03:41 PM

Pretty much every day. It is good to read to your children, not always making them read to you. It will help their love of books if they don't have to feel anxious each time one opens. Taking turns is great!

abbysmommy · 01-24-2007, 04:02 PM

Dh doesn't like to read out loud because he's not good at it. He isn't good at expression and he isn't good with rhyming books (such as Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs And Ham). He likes to hear me read out loud TO the kids, though. However, it's hard for me to seperate my time out and read to each of them individually at night because that would mean a two hour bedtime ritual when you give each child 30 mins. each. I would love to find something that would catch the interest of the three older children all at once. A good chapter book...maybe even about someone's life...I love biographies. Then I could individualize the reading for Abby...the three year old.

desertmom · 01-24-2007, 04:05 PM

Maybe the Chicken Soup books for teens?

Also, age appropriate magazines - short articles, pictures, and help develop curiosity and the need to find out more.

momof2boys · 01-24-2007, 05:17 PM

I try to read to both everyday! Evan (5) is starting to read a little but defintly still loves to be read to! I even learned from the book he got at school today Xtreme Disasters That Changed America Blizzard! Josh(3) loves any books as well 30x a day if he could!lol I hope they still want me to read to them as they get older, Maybe we can start our own bookclub!