Reading KS1

[Iwanthertoloveit34]

My DS has just started KS1 and I 'm trying to help him with his reading. Our problem is although he will read with his teachers at home he goes into complete meltdown and refuses to read. I keep trying with him but it is causing him distress, should I keep pushing him?

No - you may turn him of reading for years. Let him come to it in his own time - play word games kids word searches etc

I wouldn't push him to read to you. Make sure you have lots of books accessible and read to him lots but you don't want to make it into a battleground.

My ds school suggests reading with/ alongside them, taking it in turns to read a sentence or a page each, or if they really don't want to read the book they have brought home, then to read it to them, pointing to the words. (They might sound out some of the more clear cut CVc (consonant vowel consonant) words eg dog or cat but be careful because 'car' for example doesn't 'sound out' as easily until they know the 'ar' digraph. You might find it's just too much at the end of a long tiring day. Go to the library and refresh the home reading selection and keep reading for relaxation and fun.

No, don't push. Let him settle into the year and when less tired maybe try mornings if you'd can. Or just weekends. We didn't battle and didn't read much at home but fortunately he then came across a series of books he really enjoyed and couldn't wait for the next one. Very good reader now, so in hindsight I'm glad I didn't force it.

I have 2 kids - an 8 year old and a 5 year old. The 8 year old sounds like your DS and it was like putting pins in my eyes trying to read with her. Awful. She can read now but still doesn’t love it. Don’t think I achieved anything by forcing the reading with her. My 5 year old on the other hand quite likes learning to read and it’s no chore trying to do it with her. I think every child is just different and some find it more difficult than others.

I definitely would lay off it for a while. Then maybe slowly introduce an optional reading time with you (make it super short at first - literally one page) with a treat if he does it.