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Original poster

How do you turn your child into a prolific reader?

38 replies

CDMforever · 08/06/2009 20:22

Just been reading a thread about parents trying to find new reading material for their children who get through books like there's no tomorrow. Sounds wonderful! DS1 is 11 and not an avid reader at all of fiction. He is an able reader just doesn't really interest him, unless its non-fiction. DS2 and DD are both very young and both show an interest in picture books yet so did DS1 at their age. So how can I nurture this early interest to produce enthusiastic school-aged readers? A friend said DS1 is still young and may still become a bookworm like his parents.

OP posts:
Overmydeadbody · 08/06/2009 20:42

I don't think you can make your child into a prolific reader.

Some chinldre like reading. Some children don't.

I think as long as you give them every oportunity to get enjoyment out of books, and read to them and read a lot yourself you will encourage them more, but some children don't like reading despite all of this, just like some children don't like paying with train sets or drawing or football or whatever.

Original poster
CDMforever · 08/06/2009 20:40

I can't bear them either (but love the films)Can't remember which book got me hooked. Unoriginal but it may have been Roald Dahl, the Chocolate Factory. I loved my copy so much as a child that I firmly believed it smelt of chocolate!

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Tortington · 08/06/2009 20:40

dd (16) has read three paperbacks ( of nil literary value - just pulp vampire fiction) in 2 days.

cos we haven't got a telly

Itsjustafleshwound · 08/06/2009 20:39

I hope that didn't sound dismissive - wasn't meaning to be so ...

I think once you find the spark and books they will enjoy, it will snowball ...

At the moment we are stuck in a Princess Poppy and Peppa Pig loop - be careful what you wish for !!

Nighbynight · 08/06/2009 20:38

Diary of a Wimpy Kid got ds1 reading. There are 4 books in the series, they are funny and aimed at 11 year olds.

cocolepew · 08/06/2009 20:36

TBH even though I hate them, it was the Harry Potter books that did it for DD, from about the age of 9.

Original poster
CDMforever · 08/06/2009 20:33

Itsjustafleshwound, it isn't the be all and end all you're right.
cocolepew, have just bought DS1 Skullduggery Pleasant, hope he likes it. DS2 is 2.8 and DD is 19mths and both love the likes of How to Catch Star and the Hungry Caterpillar.
Sometimes imagine DD immersed in The Secret Garden or the Railway Children.......just before she skips off to her ballet/horse riding lesson. I think I might have too much time on my hands!

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nickytwotimes · 08/06/2009 20:32

CDM, I think your desire is slightly more achieveable than your dh's.

Fwiw, both DH and I are from booktastic homes and are always reading. SOmehow htough, BIL missed this gene and has only ever read one book his whole life. So, encourage away, but he'll either love it or not on his own terms.

Easy for me to say as Mum of a 3 yr old.

Doodle2U · 08/06/2009 20:28

Hitting on the right story did it for me. Step-mother gave me mallory Towers and that was it - I was lost to my book fetish forever.

cocolepew · 08/06/2009 20:28

I think you either are or you aren't TBH. I would buy or borrow books that interest them.

When DD1 started school her teacher said that it was obvious that she was read to a lot (she was because she had speech and language delay). She loved it.

DD2, on the other hand, never liked to be read to she prefered to 'read' it to herself making up words .

DD1 is a avid reader (like I am), DD2 will read at bedtime for a while, but she's only 7 and DD1 is 11.

Itsjustafleshwound · 08/06/2009 20:27

I think the thing to do is to find the books that will keep them busy and interested ...

Having your head in a book is not the be all and end all ...

Original poster
CDMforever · 08/06/2009 20:27

That I am nickytwotimes. I suppose its that thing of projecting what you like and are interested in onto your children. DH has similar habit but his relates to DS winning Wimbledon.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 08/06/2009 20:24

I think being a prolific reader yourself is the main thing.