Finally reading voluntarily!!!

[mugglingalong]

Have posted on here under different usernames for it seems like an eternity about dd2 and our struggles to get her to read. She is 8 and in yr 3. Finally over the past two nights she is actually wanting to read, and tonight we had to tell her to stop reading because it was waaayyy past her bedtime. I am not sure what has finally done it - we've been doing visual training, going through long words trying to help her break them down into syllables, telling her that even architects have to read, highlighting inspirational historical figures who also had difficulty reading but were successful. She is still guessing a few words and still missing out a few small words occassionally, but at least she is wanting to read and not wanting to stop!

Now, how do you encourage an 8 year old to read something other than just Diary of a Wimpy Kid?

Brilliant. Well done.

What visual training did you do?

She's been doing engaging eyes since January, but hasn't done some for a while. It did seem to help though. Need to get back into a routine of doing it again.

I know she isn't quite there yet, but it is such a relief to have all three dc reading!

As long as she is getting MOST of it reasonably accurate, or can see her mistakes if they are pointed out to her, you should not expect perfection just yet.

Try her with Arthur Ransome; "Swallows and Amazons" was the first, but "Coot Club", set on the Norfolk Broads is one of the most realistic, as the places can be found on real maps.

I'll look back and see how you get on in a day or two.

If she just started enjoying reading - I'd leave her to read whatever she chooses. Nothing's wrong with the diary of the Wimpy Kid.

It might turn her off if you force Swallows and Amazons on her now.

I've lived through Captain Underpants, Rainbow Fairies and Horrid Henry reading periods, all in the name of - "as long as they are reading, it's good"!

Don't worry, I can live with Diary of a Wimpy kid for a little longer yet!! At least she has gone beyond the rainbow fairy stage, she generally prefers fact to fiction anyway. In a strange twist of MN fate the book dh is reading to her at the moment is Swallows and Amazons! She read almost half a book in the end last night and finished it. We have plenty of books for her to choose from as her brother and sister are complete bookworms and we go to the library most weeks. She is very pleased with herself.

Ottoline or Goth Girl books might appeal.

Clarice Bean - not the picture books - are excellent and funny. We're reading 'The Swish of the curtain' at the moment.