Should I 'force' book reading?

[PrinceRogersNelson]

I have 2 DC.
DS aged 4, loves being read to and always has. We have books every bed time and he would happily sit and be read to for hours.

DD nearly 2. She looks at books and turns the pages and lifts the flaps, but doesn't like being read to. She will walk away if I try and join in and seems to get frustrated.

Should I persevere with her simply because reading to them is so good for them (she isn't talking yet btw - but then nor is did my son at this age, although his comprehension was probably better), or do I just leave books out for her and let her look at them herself?

I never enjoyed reading as a child (and don't read much still), but come from a very 'booky' family and was nagged and nagged about it. I was very aware that I 'should' be reading. It didn't help and made me feel like crap.

But I can so see the advantages that my DS gets from his love of being read to.
His vocab and listening skills and the ideas he is being exposed to etc.

I'm not sure what I am supposed to do. I feel like I am neglecting her because she doesn't sit on my knee and read books with me

I would leave books out for her to look at in her own time and way

Forcing a toddler to do anything doesn't work, does it... willful little buggers

Visit the library once a week maybe?

2 is still young

I would think that so long as you make sure there are always books around, and she sees you reading to your older child and and him enjoying it, it will probably come, she is quite young yet.
My DCs are similar, except my DD is the eldest, my DS has recently (he's just turned 3) really got into books but was far too busy and active until a few weeks ago to sit still for long enough.
Do not force or nag as you know from your own experience but just let her see that boooks are enjoyable.

no, don't force it.

specially if your older ds is doing it so she will see enjoyment of reading being modelled all the time and will learn from that that books are nice.

small children set their own learning goals and your dd's current ones just don't involve books.

Thank you all so much.
I will leave books out and maybe read a bit more to DS in front of her.

She is still young - I need to remember that.

We do visit the library regularly and I always make sure we pick a couple of books for her too.

I will now chill out

can you read a book 1 to 1 with your 2 year old. make it your special time together. sit her on your knee, cuddle her and give her something yummy to eat while reading.

Mine was less keen then her older sister too but i try and make it fun and use lot so of silly voices. ask her lots of questions too. she seems to be enjoying it more these days.

My DD never would sit to have a book read to her,she practically taught herself to read when she started school and in year 6 read 70 books in a term.
It's not reading to a child that makes them interested, it's you reading for your own pleasure that will encourage them.

AmelieMay - I do try and read to her 1 to 1. That is what she doesn't like. She will close the book and walk away. I have tried - how else would I know she doesn't like it?

bruffin - guess I'll have to start reading then.