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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Present to encourage 8yr old with her reading?

23 replies

SupersonicDave · 08/04/2011 11:15

My neice is 8 in a couple of weeks.

She has been struggling at school. She moved to a new school in september and there has been a huge improvement and she is much happier. Her reading is at a reception/yr1 level. She is a bright girl, very sharp, but has no interest in reading. My sister isn't a huge reader either, and struggles to get her DD to do something that she herself doesn't enjoy.

I have heard about 'story sacks' and i think they look fab. Are they too young for an 8yr old? I thought i could make one up for her using a story book that would interest her, but be not too challenging for her to read. Then add some bits that were essentially toys, but go with the story.

Any other ideas would be very welcome. I want her feel it is a present (for her birthday) so not too 'schooly' but that would help her too. Or should i keep the 2 things separate?

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jicky · 08/04/2011 11:24

The flip books for ds are quite good if she has one. Ds3 in year 1 has the magic far away tree one which he can read with some help. As well as the book things flash on screen.

Or you could get a comic subscription as she might enjoy reading that more.

Or an audio book so she learns to enjoy stories.

FreudianSlippery · 08/04/2011 11:27

My DCs aren't old enough for them yet, but Orchard Toys make some literacy-based board games that may be worth a try.

munstersmum · 08/04/2011 11:38

Story sack would be lovely. It wouldn't be too young because you would choose age appropriate toys! Could include 'making stuff' to recreate a scene, puppet etc.

Agree though about benefit of DS Flips if she has a Nintendo DS. Faraway tree was first one DS got in yr2 & it's the only thing he reads without us having to listen to him.

Original poster

SupersonicDave · 08/04/2011 11:52

Thanks for your replies.

She doesn't have a DS. My sister is thinking of getting her an MP3 player for her birthday though, and we have lots of story cd's i could loan her to put on the MP3.

DD (who is 3) loves the Julia Donaldson books. I'm not sure how 'young' these books are, but i really like the way they flow and i am sure they help with reading.

Another book i thought might work with a sack is the You Choose book. I thought a couple of different hats, scarves etc but think this is perhaps better aimed at my DD's age.

I remember really liking the Roal Dahl Revolting Rymes books when i was younger, perhaps something like that/horrible history type things? [bit clueless]

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Original poster

SupersonicDave · 08/04/2011 11:54

What about the Leapfrog Tag?

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Stricnine · 08/04/2011 12:01

My DD was also not a great reader, but she enjoyed (and still does) more factual books rather than story books... she also liked quizzes and word games..

I know it's quite the same thing as reading a story but it got her more interested in the value of words and she started reading about subjects that intersted her..

she now has a good vocabulary and that's the more important outcome of reading!

ZombieComforts · 08/04/2011 12:06

what about a subscription to reading chest?

munstersmum · 08/04/2011 16:53

You could get Magic Faraway Tree as a paperback on amazon. Each section goes to a different land. Read the reviews - very popular. Mudpuddle farm by Michael Morpurgo perhaps easier to read. I would say Julia Donaldson too young for an 8yr old. She will have had them read to her many times at preschool / reception.

Takver · 08/04/2011 17:58

Would a joke book appeal? DD's friend had a Beano joke book that also had activities & cartoons and was a nice layout for a less keen reader. There's also a good Cows in Action joke book IIRC

The advantage of course is that you only need to read 2 lines of text at a time to get the payoff, IYKWIM, rather than a whole story (and, IME, 8 year olds just love inflicting terrible jokes on their nearest & dearest).

FlamingJamie · 08/04/2011 18:13

My DS1 isn't very keen at reading, but he loves cartoon books - Garfield especially.

Also - Audiobooks got him interested in reading the books concerned - Roald Dahl

Horrible Histories

Judy Blume - The Pain and The Great One

The Tim Vine joke book is really good too

Original poster

SupersonicDave · 08/04/2011 19:44

I was looking at Joke books earlier thinking the same thing. They are not reading for readings sake, but to learn something that will make you laugh. Also (shoot me now!) the Hannah Montana annual (yes i know it is not christmas but was only £1.50 on Book People and she loves HM)

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seeker · 08/04/2011 19:54

I would keep the two things seperate. Give her a "proper" present ( I know, I know, but a child that doesn;t enjoy reading is not going to be pleased with anything bookish as a birthday present!) Then take her out shopping - go to a big book shop and spend ages looking through the books til she finds something she likes, you get a book too, then go to a cafe for a drink and a cake and read your new books together.

FlamingJamie · 08/04/2011 19:56

true seeker - I certainly wouldn't make a book the main present.

budgieshell · 08/04/2011 20:03

If she's anti books don't get her a book. My eldest DD got started with comics mainly beano. The youngest computer games not a lot of reading but you have to read instruction to get to next level.

Original poster

SupersonicDave · 08/04/2011 20:08

This is what i was thinking.

Last year i took her to the cinema for her birthday, but now i have 2dc (DS 8m and still BF on demand) it is not very easy to arrange.
She can't think of anything she wants apart from some riding gloves, so i thought i would get her some gloves, maybe a pony magazine (they have comic strip type stories, so she could 'read' the pics even if she couldn't read the writing) and then a book with a story that she would enjoy, but now i am thinking of getting her a joke book instead of a reading book.

I usually buy kids books for presents, mostly because most kids like to read/be read to, the parents don't get stressed about plastic tat/big things/messy arty presents

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Takver · 08/04/2011 20:22

I would have thought a pony mag would be a great idea if she's into riding

allyfe · 08/04/2011 20:42

Penguin do something called the puffin club which is all about books and includes 6 books of their choice. ANd I'd second the audio book idea, it is a great way to get inspired by stories.

seeker · 08/04/2011 21:07

What about a subscription to a pony magazine?

kreecherlivesupstairs · 09/04/2011 05:12

Nat GEo kids is great for younger children. There really aren't very many words in them but my DD adores them.
She is a real bookworm though, so I get a tiny bit cross at the cost V words thing.

matana · 09/04/2011 10:26

Don't mean to sound alarmist, but don't assume that she's just not a reader. We have always noticed that my stepdaughter has never shown any interest in books right from when she was very little. We noticed her attention span with books was very short. She's now 11, but a few years ago her teachers began to worry as she is very bright in every other way and has an amazing imagination and problem solving ability. She was tested for dyslexia and as a result received extra tuition for literacy.

May not be the case with your niece, but just wanted to share my experience in case it helps. By all means continue to encourage her, but my stepdaughter initially shunned any encouragement - i think because she was embarrassed about her reading skills in comparison to her older sister. It was nothing we said, just something she perceived. She's so happy now it's unbelievable. She's still not a great reader (her dad's th same!) but is infinitely happier having received some extra tuition.

cazzybabs · 09/04/2011 10:44

[waves at SupersonicDave]

Don't forget reading isn;t all about books - what about things like games or craft kits where she has to read the instructions. Letter writing stuff? Cook books? Even a book token so she can go and choose a book herself?

I am not sure about the reading levels but weaker readers in Year 3 often like things like Asterix. Or even some nice "grown up" picture books - those by Carol Ann Duffy are aimed at older children. Colin Thompson also does some nice picture books for older kids but they are a little odd.

The trouble is a lot of reading behavior comes from the home environment - which is why things like social mobility is hard. I read some research the other day which suggests children who regulary use the library do better at school than those who don't.

cazzybabs · 09/04/2011 10:47

[I suspect you are off buying joules stuff but also Clarice bean picture books are fab fab fab - there are chapter books too and audio books - they are brill and prefect for an 8 year old]

Original poster

SupersonicDave · 09/04/2011 11:26

Cazzy you are right, i have been buying lots of joules stuff

Matana - there is a possibility of her being dyslexic and ADHD, so i don't think it is a case of just being 'backward' but the school seem to have helped so much already, so i think they are very on the ball.

I like the look of Clarice Bean, will have a good look when i go into Waterstones.

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