Tips for getting child to read

maman

Hillwalker11 wrote: »

Before retirement I taught Infant children. The reading issue is a difficult one, especially for the reluctant reader. I think the comic approach is a good one. My two sons were both avid readers. I let them read anything, much to the schools horror. They loved TinTin, Beano and Dandy comics or annuals. Have a look in charity shops for Beano/Dandy annuals.They also read a series called Goosebumps, an American series by R.L.Stine. They were absolute rubbish but they loved them and read them.
Unfortunately at school now there is so much pressure on the grammar and inference of what is being read. There is no just reading for pleasure, therefore children often see it as another school chore, rather than soaking up the love of books.
I often think Shakespeare would turn in his grave if he knew that all his works which were written for pleasure are now being dissected and studied in depth.
Try not to worry too much, schools love to label on achievement, just so the pupil fits within a 'criteria'. He will probably find something that inspires him and without knowing it will begin to read for his own pleasure.

I can agree with much of what you've posted. Of course there's a place for reading for pleasure and, as you've said' there's precious little time for it at school!


However, although the curriculum changes in terms of grammar, spelling and reading skills are punitive, there is probably more of a necessity than ever to be aware of persuasive writing, propaganda and the like. Companies and political parties (for example) spend fortunes on advertising and campaigning using just these skills.


I wouldn't worry massively about the kindle/book issue. Probably lots of the extracts he's introduced to at school will be flashed up on a smart board. Schools can't afford to buy loads of books any more.
https://schoolcuts.org.uk/#!/

Anoneemoose

First thing he did tonight when he came in from school was pick up The Beano!! Without any prompting at all. This is promising. Normally he asks if he can call for his friend.

I’ve asked to speak to his teacher at some point (would prefer to do it without little Anon first). His teacher was out of school today so will hopefully get to speak to her in the next couple of days.

maman

Anoneemoose wrote: »

First thing he did tonight when he came in from school was pick up The Beano!! Without any prompting at all. This is promising. Normally he asks if he can call for his friend.

I’ve asked to speak to his teacher at some point (would prefer to do it without little Anon first). His teacher was out of school today so will hopefully get to speak to her in the next couple of days.

That's fantastic! I agree definitely without him first.

pearl123

I admit i haven't read the whole thread. My advice would be comic books. A large variety, including less obvious choices like Tin Tin.

onlyroz

Would he read comic books or manga?

iammumtoone

great, good start


Once he has got used to the comics (don't rush go at his speed) I suggest the Dogman series, they are like a comic in a book. Then move onto books like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, these don't have full pages of text (that is what puts a child off reading) they have lots of drawings to break up the text and the text front is different to 'normal' books. As other have said the pictures will also help with the comprehension understanding side of things.

Anoneemoose

He finished The Beano and asked for another! He’s also gone to bed with a Spongebob Squarepants book that he got from school. It’s only quite thin, but a good few pages and still has pictures as well as blocks of text on each page, which I think is grabbing his attention more.

We’ll definitely look into comics more..I keep seeing a subscription one on FB, so that might be an idea. It’s not necessarily cost effective though so I might have a mooch round some charity shops for the annual style ones. It all helps and I’d rather he read something with pictures and text than nothing at all. I had to tuck him in twice so he could tell me about the Spongebob one! Not that I mind an extra cuddle. Long may it continue.

Anoneemoose

iammumtoone wrote: »

great, good start


Once he has got used to the comics (don't rush go at his speed) I suggest the Dogman series, they are like a comic in a book. Then move onto books like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, these don't have full pages of text (that is what puts a child off reading) they have lots of drawings to break up the text and the text front is different to 'normal' books. As other have said the pictures will also help with the comprehension understanding side of things.

He’s reading Diary of A Wimpy Kid at school for his class one. We have them all at home too and I suggested another for his at home book, but he said he thought it would be odd (possibly confusing) with hom reading another one at school.

I definitely think he needs the intermittent pictures to beeak up the text.

I’ll have a look at the Dogman collection. Thank you again.

ecgirl07

Comprehension can be taught through discussing tv shows/films. Once you have watched something, or even halfway through ask the comprehension questions. Why is the character acting this way? What could a character have done to change the ending? Encourage predictions what will happen next? Get a list if question from the internet. Then begin to have him justify his answers. Its a great way to engage in inferential thinking/comprehension without it being "reading".

iammumtoone

Anoneemoose wrote: »

We have them all at home too and I suggested another for his at home book, but he said he thought it would be odd (possibly confusing) with hom reading another one at school.

He is right, it would be, its a series that follows on from each other.


Big Nate books are good some are like Dogman in comic style, others more like the style of diary of a wimpy kid. I think most of them have a 'look inside' view on amazon.