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Original poster

Anyone have a successful DC who never picks up a book?

56 replies

gardenfeature · 07/06/2014 06:09

DS has only ever read a handful of books. Is it possible to do well at GCSEs and beyond without picking up a book? He has moderate dyslexia which I guess does not help making reading pleasurable. His reading ability is good but probably not up to the level of book that he might really enjoy - he used to listen to audio books. (I will get him back into that again).

He's good at History and English and is taking them for GCSE but how detrimental will not reading be? Any "non avid reader" success stories?

OP posts:
Charlie01234 · 07/06/2014 09:49

Yep both mine and I despair! Ds1 got A at gcse though and ds2 is on the same track. Both say 'reading is boring'

happygardening · 07/06/2014 09:46

My DS also has no trouble writing essays.

Shodan · 07/06/2014 08:10

I don't think DS1 has ever read a book for pleasure Grin However he got a good range of GCSEs and is currently sitting his A-levels (History, Geography and Government and Politics) and is predicted to get As.

His chosen uni course at Bristol is History.

It is possible!

Incidentally- before choosing History at A-level we spoke to all his teachers. His History teacher was 'very concerned' that DS1 would have trouble writing essays and advised him to read more. I'm afraid DS1 didn't read more, but has had no trouble, evidently, writing essays.

Whyjustwhyagain · 07/06/2014 07:46

My DS (possibly) has undiagnosed mild dyslexia. His silent reading speed is the same as his reading out loud speed iyswim. However, he has adapted, will listen to audio books for pleasure, but never voluntarily pick up a book to read.
He got grade Bs in his 2 English & RE GCSEs and A• in Geography so did really well considering
At A level he aced with maths and sciences, and despite needing to write reports & labs as part of his degree, he is managing really well so far.

happygardening · 07/06/2014 06:52

My DS has mild dyslexia, a very slow reader and is an unenthusiastic reader to say the least. He has to read extensively for his daily Div lessons (a non examined unique compulsory curriculum he school does) and frequently talks with passion about the interesting often obscure and challenging books/plays/poetry he's had to read but away from this never voluntarily reads and never reads at home or on a train/holiday. He's doing exceedingly well academically.

tumbletumble · 07/06/2014 06:19

My DH isn't an avid reader and will rarely read a book. I think he was the same as a teen. For example, he will happily board a long haul flight without a book, magazine or newspaper, which is unthinkable to me! He got As and Bs at A Level (maths, physics and French) and is very successful in his career.