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My dd(7) likes computers better than books. Help me with Joy of Reading stuff

37 replies

Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 11:02

she's a little bit behind in her reading, not particularly enthusiastic or, at the moment, very good at it

last night I was gently encouraging her to read and telling her how exciting books could be, when she put on a really serious face, as if she knew that the following news would hit me hard, and said solemnly: "I'm sorry to say this, but computers are more fun than books. You can see the Great Wall of China and all kinds of things, and have fun on the Cbeebies website"

she does love playing on her computer but I don't want to limit her computer use. Her disabilities mean that there are a lot of things that she can't play at unaided - for example to make craft things she needs really close help because of her fine motor difficulties. It frustrates her; her computer is something that she can use on her own, which is age-appropriate. I had always thought that books could fulfil a similar role

in the past we have read books to her at night, eg Harry Potter, Faraway Tree, but she is a bit scared of the next one as they are getting a bit old for her. I'd like to read something really good to her, to give her the idea that there are books out there really worth reading

any suggestions? books for us to read or things to say? dh and I love books and really want to encourage our children to love them too, and especially as she is behind with her reading, I want her to have some motivation to get better

OP posts:
RosaLuxOnTheBrightSideOfLife · 17/01/2008 22:47

Sorry, the thread moved on while I was looking up links!

Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 22:55

oh yes 100x I must admit they do advertise some dodgy stuff

also hilarious catalogues filled with magnifying toenail clippers and microwaveable socks fall out

but the editorial is aimed at me

and I have no microwaveable socks

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:55

Alice in Wonderland too nuts I think. I think she'll switch off. But what do I know, I keep recommending books written in 1946 for some reason.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 22:56

They are desperate Capp. They want to believe they are something different.

They put JD on the cover. Why? Because Tim Burton is on South Bank Show.

desperate editor.

Cappuccino · 17/01/2008 22:58

they are not desperate ffs

last week it was Dawn bleddy French in a wig

they are so diverse

OP posts:
ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:01

LOL.

Though I did see that there is a children's drama on at 4.30 on Wednesday about Sunnyhill or whatever that school with no rules is called - which ds1 will ADORE.

So rather pleased about that. I can see its attractions.

Right more books for dd..

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 23:02

We've bribed our DS 8 and told him he can have a Nintendo DS, when he has read all the Harry Potter books from start to finish to himself.

It's working. He read the first one in a week, and is now on the second. The great thing is he seems to be really enjoying reading now.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:07

Ooh but Mimizan, If I may say, they DO get much more difficult after Azkaban, the third one. Honestly, I promise, they aren't for 8 y-o after that. I don't think.

Sorry. Just thought I'd mention.

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 23:12

Oh dear. Looks like he won't be getting a Nintendo for a few years then. However he will then have discovered the joy of reading then, and will have no need for one. That's the plan anyway

You'll probably all shoot me down now.

ahundredtimes · 17/01/2008 23:15

No he won't. He'll hate reading because he'll have struggled through four books which he can't understand. . . .

Do the first three and move on to Lemony Snicket? That'll keep him busy. There are 13 of those.

MorocconOil · 17/01/2008 23:25

DH has already read them all to him so he understands the plots already.

I took him to a bookshop today and gave him £10 to choose books as a reward for finishing the first Harry Potter. He chose some good ones including a simple Michael Morpurgo book. I asked him which of the new books he'd read first. He said he'd read them after all the Harry Potter ones which worried me. He seems too motivated by the Nintendo. I hope he doesn't struggle through the HP books. I suppose we could do what you say and change it to Lemony Snicket, although it's a bit like changing the goal posts.

gingemum · 25/01/2008 23:35

Hi there ! Not sure if this thread is still going.
Came across this site a couple of weeks ago that might be good for your dd as she is so keen on the computer www.love2read.co.uk.
My dd has special needs and loves these books and with help has even created some books herself.The website lets you upload your own photos in to the template of a book and then you can add text. All the books are based on key reading words and it's really helped my dd.I've even created a few books for her on line and not had them printed yet!

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