Aibu to think schools don't push reading as much as they used to?

[Numberonecook]

Before anyone comments I'd like to put it out there that I read with my kids everyday. They do all their homework and they have a wide selection of books available. But I'm worried school are not pushing her enough.

Talking to DH yesterday I commented on how I loved to read as a child, I thought back and it struck me that by the time I was DC3's age (6) I was already ready reading quite grown up classics and by the time I got to DC2s age I had read a wide range of books. All by myself in my spare time. My youngest wouldn't be ready for such books and my middle child is not bothered about fictional books. I have to pay the teenager to read

I spoke to DC3 teacher about her reading and that I felt she should be coming along a little more. She said she's already ready just above average for her age and I shouldn't worry.

Now I know we now have the digital age where computers and the internet are the norm. I know there was nothing else to do but read when I was a kid or watch tv with mum and dad or is it schools do not encourage children as much as they used to? I just feel they don't see it as importaint anymore.

I do agree to an extent. There seems to be an attitude at our school that doing any homework is just too much at KS1 and I think this has had an effect on progression in the classroom.

If you push too hard to a child who doesn't enjoy it they will just refuse.

Two of my children read, youngest is too young. The older one will read a book is absolutely forced and then will read in such a depressing manor and rushed its not worth the time he used anyway as he hasn't taken anything in, my middle child will read and write for hours at a time.

I remember being pushed and pushed to read at school and it was not until I left school I started to enjoy reading.

Maybe the schools have backed off a bit but that doesn't make it a bad thing if it stops some from being truly put off those who love books will love them regardless of how much school expect them to read.

Evidence is based on what I see as a teacher.

Generally, the children in my class who read regularly with parents do better than those who don't.

Reading shouldn't be pushed but just part of family life. For everyone! Children need to see adults reading. Parents should read to children. Children should read to adults.

I'm not saying that all children who struggle with reading have family support issues btw!

All families are different. I just think people read less than they used to.

Also, its worth thinking about what to read if you have reluctant readers. We went to hear Tom Palmer speak at a family event - he writes football stories for young boys and said that he wasn't really bothered about books when he was young. But he liked reading the Sports Page of the newspaper with the football results etc. It was quite interesting that it doesn't have to be books, it can be sports magazines, articles on the internet, cartoon books, comics etc.

It's the parents example, access to libraries and books at home and competing activities that gets in the way of reading not schools. Imo.

Totally disagree. Schools are so hot on reading and there is so much choice for children to read.

The classics at six is very, very unusual and doesn't reflect a sensible aspiration for most children.

Books are so central to our life. I started reading to dd virtually as soon as she was born. Dd 13 reads extensively especially dystopian fantasies. However she hates reading classics (mostly I think because I have suggested that she reads them). Mostly her teachers have always pushed reading but in dd case their was no need. The only eteacher who I have come across who doesn't push reading is her current English teacher.. This woman really does my head in she is the worst read English teacher I have ever met. She even told dd class that she hadn't read Great Expextations when it was a set book and then made them watch different versions of it. She will be leaving at the end of the school year and I will be glad when we get somebody who has actually read some of the set books

If anything, schools seem to push reading much more than they did when I was a child.

I found reading easy and so was left to just get on with it. The range of available books was woeful, and there were no reading diaries for parents to sign.

My children's school are always trying to encourage children to read for pleasure. They hold a whole range of events to get the children (and their families interested). They have schemes where children are encouraged to read something every night, even if it's not a book.

The staff do everything they can to encourage parents to listen to their children read at home. They keep going, even when the school reading books either come back unread or are lost.

I agree too with ExplodedCloud about the wider range of books that are available now. I jumped from "The Famous Five" to "Wuthering Heights" purely because that was all that was available for me to read. I thought WH was an interesting story but was far too young to really understand any of the themes.

My DD has 'read' stories like "Little Women", but through the much more accessible children's versions that are now available. ("The Usborne Illustrated Classics" book, in case anyone is interested!).

My DC school are hot on reading too. I agree it's the encouragement at home and seeing you read that helps aswell.
Some Mums I know would not allow their kids to read Horrid Henry however I encouraged books my Ds liked and found funny. We read and enjoyed them together. He has moved on from them now however I think they started his love of reading.

My DD school taught her to read through phonics and I must say I was amazed by it all, I am thankful for that.

However beyond that her reading is all down to me. Its me who buys her books for her actual level, ie novels, its me who encourages it - makes it fun....

Your perspective of you child's class teacher doesn't reflect "schools" in general though?

Maybe I was a big bookworm and I'm expecting a little too much then. She will read and enjoys reading I was just worried she wasn't where she should be. DH hates reading for pleasure and has said I shouldn't judge people by my standards. Guess he's right.

We visit the library and read at home and it's not that she won't or doesn't like to read. My 10 year old likes to read so she sees her reading too. That's why I was wondering if they encourage her enough at school also.

Uppity Could you get the book out on your library account instead if she wants to read Terry Prachett?

OP - I think it's likely unfair to judge by your standards. I was reading thing like Sherlock Holmes by the time I was 8, but I was well above average - that's got an BL of 8.8 so 8 months into American 8th grade - or 13 ish.

www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx

This site enables you to search for different books and check their reading ages if you want to see where you might expect your kids to be :)

I think both primary schools and secondary schools have to 'push' reading even more now. As you say they are competing with screen time; also reading with the children is great up to a certain age but as a secondary teacher sadly often enthusiasm for reading seems to peter off all too too often in KS3. It's just my opinion but I feel best thing to do is read with them for as long as they will, have books around them house and read yourself. (And none of that folded book art shit. Books are for reading.)

Ds(13) is encouraged to read by the school, working his way through schools copy of LOTR just now. But it needs not only school, but home to make sure it happens. Screen time stops at 9pm and it's bed and reading for 45 mins or lights out at least 3, preferably 4 times a week.

Every parents evening I went to throughout primary said they encourage them to read at home and for us to support that.