3 year old doesn't like being read to- is there any hope ??

[yadayadaada]

He just doesn't sit down and listen !

At night I can read a bed time story and he listens to it then. But during the day, it's very unlikely. I have so many books for him, but he's just not into sitting down and listening. He flicks through colourful books from time to time and talks about what he sees, but that's about it. He used to sit down and listen to his favourites when he was a bit younger, but not anymore.

Is this concerning ? I don't think he likes listening to stories much at nursery either. Books make us smart. I'm worried he'll never get into it !

Did anyone else's child not enjoy listening to stories but grow up OK ?

He likes a lot of sensory play, so play doh, sand, water etc. he also enjoys playing with his dolls and Peppa pig house. Absolutely loves playing doctor. He loves feeding and putting his baby dolls to bed. He also likes painting and drawing. But not sitting and listening to a story. Any advice appreciated. Grandparents keep commenting on it and making me feel like I've seriously failed him somehow.

Am I being silly / UR ?

My oldest listened to stories for a long time at this age, but my youngest not so much. My youngest is now 6 though and will sit and read/listen to me read- however sometimes she’s rolling about as I read or acting out what I’m reading.

I just think some kids aren’t sit still kids.

id just crack on with what you’re doing, keeps lots of books around and maybe try some interactive books (with magnetic pictures to move, flaps to open). I

Yes he loves those interactive ones and will actually look at them whenever. But often doesn't let me finish reading them and just wants to flip the pages etc.. can get frustrating !

My granddaughter ,3, is as bright as a button and loves a story at night but in the day she wants to play. No problem with that at all.

My eldest is almost 5 and has to be in the mood to be read to buy at 3 didn't even like it at bedtime.

I always loved reading, the reading makes us smart though, lots of things make us smart, games, activities, building toys etc etc. My son knows all his letters and is great at maths, not yet started school, can add, subtract, do simple multiplication, really GETS numbers and sciencey concepts. Will absorb so much info from a documentary or an activity around a subject. Can talk at length about space and the human body.

He just doesn't like to sit down and focus on a book. It'll come around and it won't stop your kid being smart if it doesnt

What about those "you choose" books by Nich Sharatt? I personally can't stand them and much prefer reading stories but they're a bit hit with my 3 year old. Also those ones like "there's a monster in my book" where you do things like tickle the page. But I agree, some children just don't sit still! I would do your best not to stress about it.

He sounds smart. Grandma probably wants to sit and cuddle not play imaginative games

He's three. Most three year olds don't sit still for very long. Sounds like there is a lot more stuff going on around him that is much more interesting than a book. Most 3 year olds would rather be painting or playing with water than reading. He sounds perfectly fine and you are very much overthinking this.

My son hated books, he’d listen at bedtime because it was better than going to sleep. 😅 In the day he liked more practical stuff and running around, not sitting with a book. I love reading as does his dad so 🤷🏻‍♀️.

He always had a good vocabulary though and he’s academically very able. He’s 18 now, due to do his A levels in a few months, (not English lit 😂). His younger sister reads constantly. He reads more now, but not fiction books, just things related to his studies and the career he wants to go into.

So, no advice but I don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about. Keep up the reading at bedtime though.

Put an audio book on in the background while you play. It’s amazing what they pick up.

What kind of books do you have? Do they match his interests? Do you rotate them or has he already seen them so often that they don't interest him anymore? He may not like his favourites anymore if he has read them too often. Can he choose some of his own books in a library (or bookstore)? Do you read one bedtime story or a few? Maybe you have 'his picks' for during the day and some of yours for the evenings?