Can reading be bad for kids?

[Lshppll]

Would like to guage other people's views. When we are at home, the only thing that my eight year old does is read (and screens but thats limited to one hour per weekend day). Doesn't do any puzzles, crafting, lego or anything else.

He is an only child and essentially the only way he knows how to entertain himself by himself is to pick up a book. Now I love reading but am a bit worried that he isn't really developing any other skills or interests.

Am also concerned that he's got into a pattern of passive entertainment i.e. screens ( but he barely has access to those) or books. He does so lots of activities out of the house and as I said he is an only child so no peers to play with at home.

What do others think? Should we try and limit his reading? Can it ever be too much of a good thing?

I was like this, I read all the time. I mean I did play with friends too, and do things like bake sweet things, but my main activity was reading. It’s lovely , and will help his vocabulary, spelling, and self expression . There’s nothing bad about it .

If he does lots of activities out of the house and gets plenty of physical exercise I wouldn't worry. I was a proper bookworm as a child and loved nothing more than a visit to the library.

Are you serious? Assuming hes reading appropriate books for his age then no you shouldn't limit his reading at home.

Also many of us were like this before screens. Immersed happily in the amazing world of books. 🙂

Alright Wormwood!

Only joking, reading has amazing benefits, and not enough children read: https://literacytrust.org.uk/reading-for-pleasure/families/

By all means, encourage outdoor pursuits, but don’t discourage reading.

Reading is not a ‘passive’ activity.

If you want to help him branch out a bit try doing things with him.

Get some colouring books and nice pens and set yourself up and the table and ask if he’d like to join.

Grab a new Lego or craft set and do the same thing.

Dont just tell him to go and do something different or put pressure on him. Let him see that it’s something you’re doing or that you’d like to do with him and he may find with time it’s something he enjoys and wants to do without prompt.

He will be fine, absolutely loved reading and going to the library as a kid.

Am not against reading. My concern is that this is his main (only) activity at home. But also that in practice it's quite a passive one. His friends read a lot less if at all but do a lot more different things and develop many different skills. He isn't. He just reads. I was similar, also an only child but I am not sure whether it was all that good for me.

I loved to read as a child, I don't think there's anything wrong with it if this screen time is limited and he does plenty of activities out of the house. Does he enjoy board games? I don't mean monopoly etc, but things like king of new York, settlers of catan, ticket to ride, forbidden island etc. Are any of you willing to give things like that a go with him? You'll often find a board game cafe or shop with playing rooms in your local area where you can pay a couple of pounds and test things out to see what he likes. Some of the co.operative games can also be played single player. He seems to like things that help keep his brain active and they will do that.

Books are not passive entertainment.

If he enjoys reading and it makes him happy, I’d let him read as much as he wants to.

YABU my 8 year old had had his head in a book for a solid two years. I couldn't be happier with my luck that he enjoys it.

The only limit I have is not reading at meal times (which he would do if he could!).

We do have a couple of children at school who read as they walk around the school because they are socially awkward and use books to avoid making relationships.

I appreciate that books are not passive but he doesn't do anything else. He hasnt touched lego since he was five, gets frustrated and annoyed with puzzles, doesnt draw because he think he's not very good at it( and he isn't as he never does it), doesn't really enjoy board games.

When he is out and obviously can't read - he does tennis, football, beavers, swimming and a few other clubs. So does get plenty of exercise 9cer the course of a day.

My father was an English teacher in Cornwall in the early 1960's. A local farmer asked how he could encourage his son in his education. My father answered - encourage him to read. The farmer answered: 'READ! READ! The boy does nothing but read - there's not one night he don't go to bed without the Farmer's Weekly!' 😂

I think as long as he's got other avenues of socialising through school, play dates and clubs etc then it's absolutely fine. I read constantly as a child and I have great social skills and work in a very social job. I also had plenty of friends through school and other hobbies. I learnt a lot about others and I do think I gained a lot of my role models and awareness of empathy and courage from reading.

And I would also just say make sure you are making time to play with him. Ds is an only child and I try to prioritise playing with him so he's not missing out.

I would be concerned about this, OP. I think if he was choosing reading as a preference but could engage in other activities, I'd be less worried, but if he is completely unable/unwilling to engage in any other activities then that is going to limit him.

I think I'd look to timetable him a bit more. Maybe add in a (non-reading!) club or two to the week.

It isn't limiting reading that you need to do, it is encouraging/enforcing other activities.

Only reading means he won't be developing motor skills (fine or gross), problem solving, conversation etc etc.

I was like this; I don’t see any harm it did for me and it had lots of benefits.

Oh just read your update - if he's doing all those clubs I wouldn't worry!!

Mom, is that you?

Chill - most parents would be over the moon too have a child that enjoys reading.

Presumably he’s at school in term time where he’s getting plenty of exposure to peers and opportunities for other activities? Easter break is only 2-3 weeks max. Leave him be.