Do I need to push

[2cats2kids]

Sorry if I am revisiting an old thread but there are so many to get through I can't easily find one (and I meant to be working!!)

My DS is nearly 5 and in 2nd term of Foundation. He has been bringing home "restricted vocabulary" books since the middle of last term but he doesn't really show any interest in looking at them or in learning to read. Although he will happily listen to stories read by me and DH. This weekend he has "read" one book with me but only after much persuasion.

I have seen posts on MN with children of a similar age who are reading and I'm starting to wonder if I need to start pushing him...? I don't want him to fall behind but at the same time he is still only 4.

I know it may sound lazy but I also really struggle to fit reading time into the day. I work and we don't get home till nearly 5, by which time he is so tired it just seems pointless. Mornings are just as frenetic even though I am up at 6.30.

Is it true that boys are later than girls or is this just something that is said. I know he is a bright boy, his language skills are great. Am I just neurotic?

Any advice would be very gratefully received.

I honestly don't think you need to be pushing him to read as he is only 4. What, IMO, is really important to read to him and encourage him to like books. If it is a positive experience now, it will make it much easier in the future.

I think it is true, that girls develop reading and writing earlier than boys. Its certainly true in our family (I have two boys, then two girls).

A book at bedtime is a really lovely way to reinforce the pleasure of reading and is a double winner as its good quality time together.

Do you think the school want him to do more? If so, this would bother me more as I don't think any child should be forced into reading at this age. It should be a joy not a chore.

Take it easy and enjoy reading to him for now.

Personally, I would not push if he is not interested. No two children are alike (gender is only a guide to averages) - some boys start to read at two and some girls not until they are into double figures.

It is more important that he does not see it as a chore and I'd continue reading to him - that's more likely to keep him interested in reading and books (rather than in painful decoding of - probably boring - text).

Thanks for that . He loves stories and would have us read to him all night if he could so I think there is a love of books there I just have to wait for him to be ready to do it himself.

The school are very good and aren't pushing him or raising any concerns but he is very much the outdoor type and I would love to be a fly on the wall sometimes!