Encouraging them to try something new.

[Colleger]

My son loves to read but he reads the same books over and over again and will not read other books, even ones with the same story line. Apart from removing them and putting new ones in their place to try and broaden his horizons, is there any other way to encourage kids to try something new?

I think your son must be getting something from the repetition which you aren't seeing.

My dd used to reread books quite a lot at that age. She would often mutter out loud, so I sometimes had a glimpse of what she was thinking. (A window into her world was my compensation for having a child who never stopped talking!) She was noticing patterns in spelling, grammar and punctuation, observing plot devices such as foreshadowing (much easier to spot when you know exactly what lies ahead!), noticing the author's distinctive style and comparing it to other authors, and building her confidence (she knew she would not encounter an unfamiliar word or upsetting content).

She was also having an enjoyable time with a well-known old friend whose company she liked, rather than spreading herself around with dozens of new acquaintances.

It won't hurt to leave some books lying around which you think your son will like. He'll want some novelty eventually. But for now, trust him. He knows what he needs.

Thanks Saracen, wise words. :)

Saracen- that's really interesting. I agree totally about the "old friend" point- I can remember doing this as a child with several books. I love "strewing" with our DDs- I tend to have books, toys and objects that are harder than they are ready for stashed away in our wardrobe (mostly charity shop purchases) and then find things that they might think are interesting and leave them lying around...

At his age I had only a few books of my own and i read them and read them over and over.
I loved that I knew what would happen next. It was like learning a script for a play almost :)

As well as what others have said above I would also try reading aloud to him (even if you think he is too old for that or its not something you normally do). You could read just the first few chapters (too get him into it) and then leave it lying around. Or read it all the way through..........

My ds isnt that keen on fiction so by reading aloud it kind of helps - I read one by an author and then he might want to read others by that author is something else I have tried.

I read something new and unfamiliar to DS1 today. He fell asleep .

That's a good idea Threadwatcher, or I may get audiobooks for the car to entice him to read novels.

Read to him - leave it at a cliffhanger and when he doesn't want you to stop just say, brightly, that you have run out of time and it is a good stopping place. Then as an afterthought just say, casually, 'of course you could read on a bit by yourself'.

Also you can be grateful that he does love reading, even if he isnt very adventurous in his choices!

I love reading but I (given a chance) will often be found reading Enid Blyton because its easy and not stressful after a long day!