Josiah (8) reading to Grace (4) from one of her new books she got for ChristmasAfter reading sign after sign in a parking lot, Josiah remarked, "The world makes a lot more sense since I can read!"
His comment immediately before that? "Hey, Tim Hawkins was right...Chick-fil-A really is closed on Sundays!"
I love your site! I can't get my boys to sit still long enough to read. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words! About advice on getting your boys to read...well, I started both of my boys (now 13 and 8) reading on their own with joke books. I didn't even show the books to them when I brought them home from the library but left them on the coffee table where they would see them--in no way did I announce that the books were for them (and, therefore, there was no pressure to read). My husband was concerned about this approach (Would they gravitate only to "fluff" from then on? Would they bombard us with corny jokes all day long?), but it worked! Each of the boys picked them up, read them on their own, and asked for me to find more of them. I found the joke books in the beginning reader section of our library, and they blazed through them. (With minimal joke telling, I might add.) After that, they quickly became interested in series--Henry and Mudge, Cam Jansen, Amelia Bedelia--all in the beginning reader section. Later, again with the series, it was Magic Tree House, Encyclopedia Brown, and Hardy Boys (but only those published before 1960-ish--not the new ones). I think the series appealed to them because it brought familiarity. My oldest in particular loves series--he has read the Narnia series through at least once, and is currently working his way through the Lord of the Rings, so he's not sticking with "fluff." In addition to fiction, I also would pick out interesting non-fiction books, usually on animals/nature since that was something they were already interested in. Again, these would be left on the coffee table and they picked them up out of curiosity.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I wish I'd worked on more with my oldest (13) when he was younger was reading aloud, either to me or younger siblings. He still needs to work on reading with expression, and yet it's something that comes more naturally to my 8 year old.
I hope something in here will be helpful to you! Best wishes!
Amy
Thanks, Amy! My oldest is only 3 so we have a ways yet.
ReplyDeleteBoth comments: TOO funny! Of course, there are downsides to them being able to read. Like the time in FL when the restaurant where we were eating was right next to the Bad A** Coffee Shop. That was right when Jacob had just begun reading, so he naturally took a moment to sound it out. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteHey Amy, Lily here. Long time reader, first time commenter. :)
ReplyDeleteThis little post hit home with me. Nice job.
So cute! I guess in a child's eyes the world does make a whole lot more sense when they can read all the signs and such.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Diane