Encouraging reading?

nomadica

My almost 3 year old (PDD-NOS) used to LOVE books- first having me read to him, then later, "reading" to himself. He loved reading so much that he would take his favorite book of the moment to bed with him! As a big reader myself, I loved this.

Lately, though, DS has shown no/little interest in books at all. (As noted in a previous post, it can be hard to get him engaged in activities in general). I encourage reading by offering to read to him and by taking him regularly to the library to pick out books. Still, little interest there. Is this something I should consider a phase and just leave alone (while still offering daily to read with him?). Or should I "demand" some reading time everyday? He does see me read my own books frequently (and in fact likes to get his hands on my books and turn the pages), so there is at least some modeling at home. I'm just curious what other moms do/think!

 

nomadica

-auntie-:

Do you have him sit with you while you read or is he doing something else?

I used to read DS chapter stories once he was about 3; he'd sit on the floor and play with his trains or Legos and listen. If I stopped, he would immediately ask me to keep reading, so I know he was listening even if it didn't look it.

Aunti- funny you should ask. When we do read, frequently he does not sit with me but next to me, and actually is often  flipping through another book (though he frequently looks to the book I'm reading, which I hold so he can see). It's almost like he's imitating me reading. Even with this set up, though, there's little interest in reading currently.

AgrippaRidesAgain

What about telling him stories? DS went through a bored with picture books stage right before we started chapter books, so I brushed up on my fairy tales and told them to him. He loved it, and I think it gave him practice with listening without having picture cues. We started chapter books a little after that when he turned three and his love of books returned.

MirandaHobbes

Have you tried Ipad books? We went through a phase (just barely age 4) where DS was really into Ipad books, especially Dr. Suess. There was a lot of interactions he could do. I was afraid that the "passive" nature of the Ipad books would become too much of an addiction for him, but thankfully it was just another phase. Now he is into Spiderman and character books, although he is easily bribed- one Magic School Bus book before the Spiderman book, or somesuch.

DS is also really, really into me telling him stories! And I am one horrible story teller. I usually parrot story lines from books we have, or books I remember as a kid. Or fairy tales. We spend 15 minutes in the car in silence and I realized that telling him a story is one way to get some imagination therapy in. I also find other "off" times to read, like we usually read something while he's eating breakfast in the morning, or even in the bathtub.

I'm sure your DS is just going through a phase- as an avid reader myself I know how it is to dwell on his like or dislike of reading!

nomadica

DS has enjoyed books on the IPad, but has lost interest in those same as in real books.

I had not really thought about telling him stories! I fear that he will not attend to me, though. I'm never too sure of his receptive language/comprehension (tests as low average, but still....). But I will give it a shot!

DS has no special interests. At times he has gotten attached to certain books (e.g. Goodnight Moon, Harry the Dirty Dog), but there really isn't a specific topic that seems to interest him. I actually kind of wish he demonstrated more interest/preference in things as NT children do. For example, he couldn't care less about a "theme" for his birthday party. I tried to get him to pick out what he wants for that theme, and... nothing.

MirandaHobbes

nomadica:

DS has enjoyed books on the IPad, but has lost interest in those same as in real books.

I had not really thought about telling him stories! I fear that he will not attend to me, though. I'm never too sure of his receptive language/comprehension (tests as low average, but still....). But I will give it a shot!

DS has no special interests. At times he has gotten attached to certain books (e.g. Goodnight Moon, Harry the Dirty Dog), but there really isn't a specific topic that seems to interest him. I actually kind of wish he demonstrated more interest/preference in things as NT children do. For example, he couldn't care less about a "theme" for his birthday party. I tried to get him to pick out what he wants for that theme, and... nothing.

I know what you mean, but this will get better. I feel like it's a part of the maturity piece. DS at 3 could care less what his birthday party was, and books were a challenge- I remember him loving a goodnight book that was equipped with a light the most, and also a pop-up book, but that's it. He's almost 5 now and is really into books.

The other day at the mall I overheard a Mom telling her young son (looked like 4 or 5) that they had to go pick out some shirts for him. He immediately asked if they could find some Spiderman shirts- she said that no, this time they were going to pick out other non-character shirts. He pouted. We're definitely not at the stage where DS gives a dang about what characters are on his shirt! DS doesn't have any really huge special interests either, but I take that as a good thing- I pick out a very large variety of books and he usually sits through anything.

RE: birthday parties, I find the same thing now, and also for Halloween costumes. I basically steered him towards what I wanted him to wear and he was like, meh, okay. On Halloween night he was pretty nonplussed about his outfit so I decked him out in battery-operated christmas lights on top of his costume and he was one happy swamp monster. For his 5th bday coming up I'm not even doing a theme. I'm not inviting kids, either (bad mom!) We did that last year and he was really overwelmed with just a few kids. He couldn't have cared less about the "theme" (we went to a fire house). So this year I'm going to just do what he loves most- indoor waterparks. He'll have a blast and I'll be happy to have the good memories.