6 year old won't do his homework

[Cranb0rne]

My 6 year old is supposed to read 5 times a week and we record it in a diary. Trying to do this is like getting blood out of a stone. He has no issues with reading or writing. Any ideas how to make it more fun for him? He literally refuses to do it.

Download a book onto the iPad to read? Is it because the books are boring/ too easily/ too hard/ not changed regularly? Assuming these are school reading scheme?

Oh and change the time of day. My boys were always too tired after school so we used to do it in the car or school library before he went into class

We had that issue when the youngest boy was that age. He would refuse or cry every time. Luckily when he was 7 he had a new teacher and really wanted to please her, so he was happy to read. Could you take it in turns to read? He reads a sentence, then you read? Or you could make it fun by reading it in silly voices? When is he the most relaxed? We sometimes do a bit of reading in bed, or in the car, or with a little snack.

I've seen this from both sides of the fence - as a teacher and a parent of a reluctant reader. My advice is to back right off. Offer to read the book to them, but honestly it's a battle you can't win.

My five year old is the same we have slightly more success doing it in the morning than the evening. School really tired her out.

Hmmm, I share your pain and it's been a bit of a shock after an older DD who adored learning to read and initial enthusiasm from DS.

As has already been said I try to do it earlier but this isn't always possible with work.

We have a jar full of little bits and pieces that he can choose from when he's read nicely for a few days in a row.

I also find alternating the (awful) school books with books from the library / chosen in the bookshop / off our shelves helps.

same issue with my y1 dd. she threw her book last week! teacher said back off, they do lots at school.

I still try every day but no matter how much or little stop after 10 mins and try to praise something no matter how little achieved.

I have a 5 year old who wont do any homework, reading or spellings. He screams and shouts and i don't want ot to be a battle as whats he really going to get out of it of hes stressed so i ask he says no we leave it at that.

We used to put the oven timer on, and decide to read for only 5 minutes. It helps them know that it will be a short time. Also sometimes we used to do 'I read a sentence you read a sentence'.

We found reading in the morning before school far more successful than evenings.
If she was feeling reluctant we did alternate sentences or pages.

We’ve done reading in the morning. Also, ignoring the school book altogether and getting our own from the library. Ds seemed to hate the books from school and refused to read them.
He’s a teen now and reading Stephen King.

Mine is refusing at the moment because he thinks homework should be done in class, instead of playing. He reckons he will have more time to play with his better toys at home this way. I’m inclined to agree with him.

Kids use any excuse not to go to bed. Would he read in bed to you if meant he could "stay up late"?

No I wouldn't make him do it

Stick the book to the underside of a table and lie underneath it to read. Or make a den and read it by torchlight. Or sit in a tree and read. Etc!

I wouldn't try and force it. If he doesn't want to read, then just read to him.

Will he read any other books? Reading scheme books aren't the most inspiring.

Why do they have homework at such a young age? When I was teaching Y6 (a while ago) when primary homework as virtually unheard of, it was one of the things that the children regarded as part of their secondary experience.

Does he get to choose the book or is it a set book from school?

Maybe speak to the teacher and say he finds the school books boring and can he read a library book about a subject he is interested in, to get him back on track with reading each evening.