How to Get 8 Yo to like Reading

My daughter is in the SAME boat. We have found 'Babymouse', it's in a similar style to a comic book and stars a very unique mouse who is a carbon copy of my daughter.

I make my daughter read out loud to me, her school requires 20 mins a day and tests the schools library books she brings home. She reads what she likes over the weekends.

We usually read together with Babymouse, she reads for Babymouse, I read for the narrator. With her reading out loud I can see what she truly struggles with. It's rushing. She sees a word that begins with a 'T' and she says the first 'T' word that comes into her mind that "might" fit in the sentence. She also skips over short words completely, words like 'A, and, the, it, is'.

Take him over to the library, let him pick his own books. Watch what catches his interest. Have him read out loud so you can see what he's really struggling with. If you don't already.

I have dyslexia, I HATE reading out loud, but reading with my daughter has helped, she sees me stumble and knows that she isn't alone but that I never give up and she can't either.

I would read together, make it a routine & not something that he has to do on his own.
Take him to the library & let him pick out his own books. Get some suggestions from the librarian on things he's interested in - my 7 year old can't seem to get enough of Lego Star Wars, Bugs, Planes and Disaster (like Titanic, Tsunamis, etc).
Then, every night at bedtime, spend 10 minutes together reading, and gradually work up to more time. You read a page, he reads a page. In a week make it, he reads 2 pages, you read 1. In the end, you can get through 10 minutes of him reading. Try to make it a fun, bonding time together.

Read to him.
Read to him.
Read to him.
Read to him.
And did I mention, read to him?

If he won't read it, you read it for him. There is a very good chance he won't ever become a "reader" who loves to read or reads for enjoyment, but it is critical to his academic success that he hears and experiences the language.

YOU do the reading. And make it a fun, mommy-son experience.

OMGoodness!! I hear ya CW! Just know that you are not alone in this battle.

I remember when I was young, we had a couple book reports to do each year and that was it. Now kids have to read every night for 10-30 minutes, track it on a Reading Log and then parents have to sign in blood that their kid is telling the truth. Then comes the AR tests with a mandatory 80% score to pass, certain number of points needed by a designated date yadda yadda.

Ugh..it really takes the fun out of reading for kids.....AND parents!!

First off. Stop trying to change his mind. Stop talking to him about it. Just drop it. He is in a power play with you and has found a hot button. I have an 8yr old son, in 3rd grade. He pulls the same kind of stuff. Just ignore it.

I have three kids at varying ages and levels of book lovin'. I remember some moments when I was grasping at anything. I said with a wink and a smile, "Hey...let's read signs on the way home from the grocery store, the directions on the Stouffer's lasagna box and we will call it good on your reading today!" We laughed about it and I signed the paper.

My boys love anything to do with tsunamis, snakes, deadly animals, shark attacks, dinosaurs, how the body works etc. Oh my, I remember a book in our little family library that is all about how farts are made that I had to pry out of their hands and tell them to go to sleep.

All of our kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Diary Of A Wimpy Kid books. Heck..my husband and I love those and we all crack up while reading them. The kids love them even more when I read to them. Read to your son while he is laying in bed and the lights are off. Then there are no distractions and his busy mind can produce a movie in his head of what you are reading. It helps settle them down, it is soothing and he doesn't have to do the hard work of reading.

We have passed off quite a few book reports by having ME read the book to them. I could battle them about having to read it themselves, have it be torture and them take FOREVER to do it. Or I could make it a fun week long, nightly ritual that they enjoyed. I vote on the alternative way that gets the job done!!

Get some books on cd. Every night lay in bed with him and play the cd for 10 minutes. After the 10 minutes is up then ask what he enjoyed about it..tell him what you really liked. Make it bonding and fun. And...don't worry about the level of the book. Your issue is bigger than the correct reading level. You just want to foster a love of books.

Pop some popcorn and turn on the cd. Make it fun.
Read a book under a fort he creates out of some blankets. OR..you create the fort and tell him to come on down and you are going to read a fun story or listen to a story.

Stop focusing on the need for HIM to read and enjoy the reading. Don't make it such a big deal in conversation. (Not sure if you are even doing that but sometimes kids like to be downright difficult if they know it ruffles your feathers. Gives them a sense of power.)

Lay off talking about reading, or setting a goal or system or reward. Just come up with the creative ways to read to him and with him and start there. Have dad read to him..or he reads to dad.

One of my kids downright hated his very minimal homework load. I told him some fun activities we were going to do to practice the Math facts. He refused. I didn't beg or lecture. All I had to say was, "Ok, I am trying to make it fun and do this together. I am not going to sign your homework log and I will tell your teacher you are refusing to do homework." That was all it took and now he has a great attitude and it is a time he looks forward to each day.

Kids are fickle. We just need to stay on our toes...and remain patient.

I wish you the best!

What does your son like to do? What interests him? Sports? Baseball, football, karate, fishing? Or does he like video games? Or things like Star Wars? Or whatever 8 year old boys are into (Spiderman, etc)?

Maybe he'd read a book about how to pass a football better, or the rules of baseball. Or maybe he'd read about how to tie a fishing lure. Or maybe he'd read a Spiderman or Star Wars book.

Or you could challenge him: if he'll read something, for example: the rules for what an infield fly ball are in baseball, or all the names and powers of the enemies of the Green Hornet or whoever, you'll read it too and he can quiz you at the end of the week. Make it fun. Don't make it about state capitals. And he can't get his info from the computer or a video game. Go to the library with him and choose your challenge subject and get a book. Or take him to the library and let the children's librarian work with him. They have ways of inspiring kids when it's difficult for us as parents to. If you kind of step aside and let the librarian talk with him, he or she might be able to challenge him.

Also, have you had his eyes tested? Maybe the words are blurry to him. And even if he hates reading, do you really feel he is able to? Like, if he was forced to, could he actually read those directions on his homework page? Can you request that he be tested again?

I am a teacher and I am hearing a lot of things that sound like he can't be successful because he hasn't been taught how. If you have an outside medical evaluation the school doesn't have to use it, but if you ask for an evaluation they are required to do one.

I would suggest that he might have some dyslexia going on that is adding to his ADHD and then you have memory issues as well. ADHD does not have to have hyperactivity, it can have hypo activity which means that they teacher might not see what she is expecting. Either way though, he is struggling and not doing well.

Susan Barton is the leading dyslexia teacher in the US right now, I had the pleasure of getting to hear a presentation she did last year. I learned so much; please check out her website: http://www.dys-add.com/. 40% of people with dyslexia also have ADHD and dyslexia is one of the most unrecognized learning difficulties in America today.

I am not saying that your son has this but it sure does seem similar, and no matter what you do to get him to "like" reading, until he buys in, it will not work! My dad learned when he went to college through the GI Bill because he was never diagnosed. My brother was recognized in school, but never read anything until my mom found MAD Magazines when he was about 8. He still will not read print, but he can and will read on the computer screen, apparently this is pretty common as the letters hold still easier and the colors help him see the words. There is a thing with light that makes black print on white pages very difficult to read. A colored clear overlay can really help with this.

I might suggest that you try either a Magna book or a graphic novel like Bone but with colored pages. This can make all the difference for reading.

I feel so much for your your kiddo! I work with kids daily that struggle to read directions even on the math worksheets I give them. Please read his directions to him if he needs it! Please read the words to him if he asks, bond and work with him so that he can be as successful as he can. You are trying so hard, good job mom!

ETA: I just read the thing about getting his eyes checked. If you go to a pediatric ophthamologist, not an optician, then you might get some better advice. I took my daughter twice and they said she was fine, didn't need glasses. But, I still knew something was wrong, so I took her to a pediatric eye therapy place and they found out she doesn't need glasses, but, she does need eye therapy because she can't track the letters or words on the page. This is much like Occupational Therapy, but it is not the same because it focuses just on the eyes not the body. This might be something to look into as well.

My husband only reads tech manuals - he's not a recreational reader.
I LOVE reading with a passion!
I started reading to our son when he was about 1 yr old.
We started with cardboard picture books - he loved a Baby Faces book - it was just showing baby faces in different moods - happy, sad, angry, sleepy, etc.
Then we started Dr Seuss books - we read when ever we had to wait for anything (I always carried a book with me) and at bed time.
It was a fun snuggle up together thing to do - and we did it often.
Sometimes if we had to wait in a doctors waiting room, I'd start reading to him quietly and sometimes other kids would sit down to listen too.
Kids love hearing stories!
In 1st and 2nd grade I was still reading to/with him - then in the 2nd half of 2nd grade his reading took off - but we never gave up reading together.
Sometimes I had a cold and my voice gave out so I couldn't read out loud.
Then our son would read out loud to me - we enjoy reading the stories TOGETHER!
By 3rd grade he was reading Harry Potter on his own.
I got books for him in what ever subject he was interested in - firetrucks, sharks, dinosaurs, wizards, dragons, etc.
He'd get so interested in finding out what happened next he didn't mind or notice if a book was a little difficult for him to read.
When we waited forever for a new book in a series to come out and it finally arrived - we both wanted to read it right away - so we'd read it out loud so we both could enjoy it at the same time.
By 8th grade his lexile score was the highest his teacher had ever seen (1700+).
Now our son is in high school and he always has a book on him for when he has a few minutes to read.
He recommends books for me to read (I often get to them after he's finished with them).
His teachers love his reading habits - and my husband is impressed and is glad he loves to read.

Reading to/with your son is still a worth while thing to do.
He does have to do some reading on his own but you need to keep him engaged - and he wants to be read to - so use that.
Play games where you and he read every other page to each other.
The point is to have fun together (and you won't be watching a clock while doing it).

You need to find a "hook book". Usually they end up being a series book. Read the first book to him. If you read the first Captain Underpants book to him you will be more likely to "hook" him. Super Diaper Baby books are also good.

If he wants more colorful books, try the Geronimo Stilton books.

Here is my two cents as a reading specialist. Let him read easy books. If any kid has to work too hard at the reading, they are going to hate it. Even adults don't like reading things that they have to work too hard at. That's why most books on the fiction best seller lists are written at a 5th-8th grade reading level.

Reading books that he doesn't have to work hard at reading will also let him concentrate more on comprehending the text. We want our students to read fast, fun, and easy books.

And we let them have free choice in what they read. Take him to the library or used book store and let him pick what looks good.

Hi, CW,

Have you noticed that your son has no control over his life?
"He has to read 10 minutes every night." "I am forced to choose for him."

Stop trying to force him to read. Give him choices. Why is he being forced to read?

Good luck.
D.

I would look up "books for reluctant readers" or talk to the local librarian. If he was tested for memory issues, could that be in play? That he can't follow a story well? I would not overlook that possibility. And what about his ADHD? What is going on there and what ongoing tools is he given to manage that?

I would consider comic books. There's one called Bones that my SS liked. Or magazines like Highlights or Ranger Rick. Reading is reading, in the end.

My DD is a high level reader who doesn't like new challenges all the time. Sometimes to get her to read a book we know she can is to start reading ourselves, or to pick something we know she will love. We also spend some time reading out loud. Currently we are reading The Hobbit as a family. Percy Jackson books may interest him, as a listener if not just a reader.

As an avid reader myself who spent many years reading to my kids every day, from baby/picture books to long chapter books when they were as old as 7/8, I know how frustrating it can be to have a kid who doesn't like to read!
My son is like me, loves to read, always has, even though he started K in lowest reading group by the end of first grade something clicked and he was off and running.
My daughters HATE to read, and my oldest struggles with comprehension. My younger one is ADHD and even though her comprehension is decent, she is a lot like your son, simply doesn't want to do it, misses directions all the time because she rushes through, etc.
My best advice is to take him to the library. Let him pick out whatever kinds of books he likes, even comic books or other books you might think are "dumb" like Captain Underpants. There are some terrific graphic novels/short stories that are less intimidating because they are word light and picture heavy, but they still provide him with the fundamental practice of reading a story, following a plot, making predictions, understanding characters' motivations, etc. Ask the librarian for help, they know exactly how to help kids find just what interests them without being too challenging or dull.
Boys also usually like nonfiction type books, the DK series about weapons, history, animals, sports, etc. were some of my son's favorites, even before he could read he loved looking at those.

i'm sort of at a loss too. i never paid my kids to read, nor promised them rewards, nor picked their books for 'em. i suppose i've only got the basically unhelpful 'to get an 8 year old to like reading, start when he's a baby.'
since it's past the point of no return, what i'd do at this point is quit nagging him to read on his own. i'd find a book that as his mom i know would interest him (even if he denies it) and i'd sit down every evening and read it to him. i'd encourage him to read a sentence here and there on his own, but i wouldn't make it a battle or a demand. i'd take the pressure right off him, and make reading a sweet warm cozy snuggle time with me. and i'd hope and expect that over time the stigma of 'ugh' would fade, and he'd start to look forward to it and even participate.
one useful 'trick' is to read a book that the child knows backward and forward, and deliberately misread a sentence here and there. most kids love the predictability of 'old favorites' and will object loudly to any changes, which is the perfect opportunity to look befuddled and say 'well, what DOES it say? let's look this over together!'
it's hard to kindle a love of reading in a child who's already learned to hate it. no quick fixes. but it's really important to overcome that.
khairete
S.

Maybe comic books would be more his style?

Reading needn't just be in books... it's not so much the content as it is learning to put words into a specific order. That said, how about comic books or a magazine (they have some dedicated to children) even on the computer there might be short stories.. although my son loves to read, when he was younger, I made every occasion a reason to read.. by that I mean, I'd have him read the menu to us ... oh it's simple and all about food... BUT.. even with menus, the wording has to be understandable..
so it was good practice..
books can seem overwhelming.... if you prefer books.. then make a copy of a couple of pages... a couple of pages as compared to holding an entire book can seem much more surmountable... whereas, a goal of you have to read this entire book (regardless of the length) can just seem like too much...
also... try breaking up the time.. start out with five minutes... at one point in the day and five before bed.. OR.. get rid of the clocks... kids in general have a propensity to look at clocks when being timed to do something...

You said he wants to play outside, is he into sports? You might try some books by Matt Christopher - he wrote a LOT of sports books of the early chapter/series type. There should be lots of different sports to choose from. I definitely agree with comics and comic books, also. Big colorful pictures are fun. You could also try some Manga. If he has a favorite character or TV show, there's most likely a book tie-in. Also, don't underestimate the help a good librarian can be in choosing books that will appeal to a particular person. Look for good illustrated versions of books like Treasure Island or Call of the Wild. You could also read through a book before watching the movie if there's one he's wanting to see. Don't be afraid to read a chapter book to him. A love of books, and reading proficiency do not have to be inseparable. We tried chapter books several times before we finally found one that clicked for my 5 year old - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. After that, we worked through several Junie B. Jones books, Treasure Island, and Stuart Little. We also tried, but gave up on The Phantom Tollbooth, The Oddkins, Half Magic, and probably a few others that were fun illustrated books that he didn't get drawn into. I know we also have a beautiful illustrated copy of The Velveteen Rabbit that we read over several nights when he was little, but we could probably finish it in one night these days.

Take a trip to the library and talk to the librarian in the children's section. There are a lot of series books so try a couple different series and see which one clicks with your son.

Get some books about boys playing outside, Tom Sawyer would be great, or about boys and sports and then have him read aloud. That will stop the staring at the same page and not really reading.

If he has no issues at school, I doubt he has ADHD. Kids can't turn it off and on - they either have it or they don't. So I suggest that since the teacher sees him just as much, maybe more, during the week than you do, that you listen to her. Believe me, if he was hyper in the classroom, she would be advocating for meds! I think it's all maturity, stubborness, and yes, lack of discipline. He does what he knows he HAS to do and does not do what he knows he can get away with.

I would read aloud a page and then him and keep switching. And keep trying different books. Some kids will read anything. Some need a book they love to get into it. And, I would suggest having his eyes tested by a doctor who tests for tracking problems, eyes not working together etc. Sometimes a kid can have 20/20 vision but his eyes don't actually work right together and they don't understand that. All they know is reading sucks and it's bc they're not able to keep on a line like the rest of us or letters are jumping around. When a kid really fights reading, I always think of that as a potential issue.

Comic books or graphic novels.
There's a series called Toon books for his age, which are all comic book style. We liked Otto's Orange Day (but there are many, many more):
http://www.amazon.com/Ottos-Orange-Day-Books-Level/dp/097...

A couple of good graphic novels (might be better for
9/10 year olds):
Knights of the Lunch Table
http://www.amazon.com/Knights-Lunch-Table-Dodgeball-Chron...

Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute:
http://www.amazon.com/Lunch-Lady-Cyborg-Substitute/dp/037...

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions on how to instill a love of reading. You might start with a different tactic though. Get him to do the required amount of reading without complaint. Not everyone loves reading, not everyone loves sushi, it's alright to be different in these ways. He must though do the bare minimum of the reading, and do so without complaint, and actually do the reading and demonstrate comprehension. It's a necessary life skill.

Start by having him read 10 pages and summarize each page with a sentence to demonstrate comprehension. Move on up from there untill he hits the 20 minute mark.

Best,
F. B.

My son HATES reading and always has. He is going to be 10 and now he is having to read for 25 minutes and take the AR tests and get his points. Its a hassle and most of the time I end up reading to him so he can get enough points that he doesnt fall behind. My husband doesn't read, unless he's researching something on the internet. I hated reading until after college when it no longer became a neccessity but a luxery. Now I read all the time. My daughter is reading probably at a level above him and she is 7 almost 8. She loves it too and will pick up books just to read, not because she has to, but because she wants to. My son will never do that and I don't know how to get him to want to read. So, really I cannot tell you how to help but I can tell you that you are definitely not alone!

Stop trying to "make" them read. If you make it fun, like read some cartoons to me, read the comics to me, let's read Harry Potter books to each other, etc....

Telling a child "GO READ YOUR BOOK"!!! Does not make them like reading.

Maybe you can find a reading program online, or find a character he likes such as Doug or Diary of a Wimpy kid or some other character like Harry. They will often read short books before longer ones.

My granddaughter loves to read and was doing it in kindergarten. My 7 year old still isn't reading in 2nd grade.

I'm having a similar issues with my 8 year old. But it's all his homework besides math, he likes to do that. Anyway, last night when we were doing it, he just wasn't focused and didn't want to do it. So I said if you can't do your homework, you can't watch TV either. We finally got the homework done, but it was a challenge. My older children just did it, I didn't have to sit next to them constantly and they were proud to earn good grades. He doesn't really care and just says how he hates school.
I can't wait to hear some of the responses, maybe it'll help me out too.
Hang in there momma!

I have been there... our son didn't start reading easily until the summer after second grade, when he was 8 1/2. Before that, he loved being read to, however would not read happily himself. We did take him to the library and let him pick out books for himself, so he spent lots of time sitting in the graphic novel section, thumbing through the latest version of a cartoon or whatever. It doesn't matter what he read, as long as he had a book in his hand and he was processing the information.

He became an enthusiastic reader after 2nd grade when we happened to hit on a series that grabbed him (The Secrets of Droon, by Tony Abbott). Once he started with those and realized reading could be fun, he expanded to other series that his friends were reading or had read, and he's been a total bookworm since then. So don't give up hope! I understand how hard it is now. Good luck.

My son hated reading too. We found the "Captain Underpants" books. Those he loved. Every time a new one came out, he would ask for it and I would get it ASAP. We then went to the Harry Potter Series. He did pretty good with those as well but still has never developed a love for reading. He has gotten into Tom Clancey, David Baldacci and Vince Flynn. I have never said no to my kids when they asked for books.

My daughter on the other hand, LOVES to read. When she was in grade school, she would stick the books in front of her school book. She got caught doing that a couple of times. Seemed to mostly be in math!

I love to read. Its my most favorite thing to do. Just sit and read. AHHHHH! =)

Let him read easy books until he develops his own love of reading. Then it's not as much of a struggle. And take him to the library and let him browse. No pressure. He may be drawn to comic books, picture books, Geronimo Stilton, Jack & Annie, books with pictures of dragons, who knows. If he doesn't see anything he likes, then you come home without any books for him. But make sure you check out (and read in his presence) a few books for you.

When a parent asks the school system to evaluate a child, and the system doesn't follow through..... grrrr.

So let's start in the beginning. No assumptions on my part what the diagnosis is (it doesn't matter that much to me) or what his learning style and needs are (those matter considerably). Start to write down all your observations in a notebook. Struggled in his first time in first grade. System chalked that up to age. He repeated last year at their request. Knew all the material. Swell guy when he can succeed. New year. Struggling again. Seemingly "refusing" to tune in or do homework. Now is the time for you to request in writing, a full evaluation of his achievement in math and reading, learning style and cognitive level. By law, they must follow-through with an evaluation. Ask for all the reports to be given to you before the evaluation meeting with the staff. These reports are a treasure trove of observations of what works well for a child, and what presents difficulty. Services should then be tailored to your child's needs at the meeting.

Finally, if I had a dollar for every child of whom it was said "He just doesn't want to read the directions.", when actually the child can't read and understand them well, I'd be quite wealthy. Please pursue this through the system.

Clearly this is not just about "I don't like to read for pleasure or do reading assignments for English." You say that "many times he gets things wrong in school because he says he just doesn't want to read the directions." That is a big red flag that needs to be worked on -- why isn't the teacher all over that, and advising strongly that he should be re-evaluated? Just because a test two years ago showed no learning disabilities, that does not mean he has none now! The behavior with even trying to get you to read homework directions to him -- have you told the teacher he does that at home? It's all connected -- the dislike of pleasure reading; the bad test scores because he doesn't "want" to read brief directions; the trying to avoid even reading short directions for homework.

Hasn't the teacher connected the dots yet? He may have trouble either reading the words (dyslexia? Was that one of the tests? Vision issues, even?) but still be able to comprehend things -- very bright kids can compensate for the fact they skim things and don't read in full. Or he may have trouble processing what he reads though he can handle the mechanics of reading. And with ADHD, isn't it possible that he just cannot bear to focus long enough to read so it becomes a vast chore? Is he on medication or otherwise being treated for ADHD? Would that help prolong his focus enough for him to at least read tests and homework?

While you and the teacher connect those dots and possibly get him evaluated again, find out what would interest him. Let him pick books even if it seems excruciating to you while he complains about doing it (and it will, probably seem excruciating!). Ask him to think about what he likes (Legos, certain movies/characters, anything), even if they seem kind of, well, kid-like or shallow to an adult. Many kids his age, especially boys, like nonfiction; how-to stuff; sports stuff if they are into sports; movie-related things (Star Wars, etc. is still popular), and so on. Books of fact lists are huge with elementary boys -- I used to volunteer a lot in the school library and boys his age loved things like Guinness Book of World Records (they have kid versions) and lists of biggest, fastest, loudest whatever. Does he like to draw? Many kids his age checked out tons of "How to draw Pokemon characters" or "How to do Minecraft" and similar instructional stuff. Or books of Garfield cartoons. ANY reading is good at this stage and with his resistance.

I know adults want kids to read chaper books but I also know our school librarian always said that anything they are willing to read is still reading, and you have to give them things that meet their interests, even if we adults feel they should be reading "Magic Treehouse" instead of "Garfield."

Go talk to the school librarian. Set up a time to see him or her rather than just dropping in when the librarian may be too busy to talk. Go on your own the first time; explain just what you say here. If your school system's decent, the school librarian should have had training in how to recommend books for reluctant readers; she will know what books have been popular with other reluctant readers (your son won't be the first one she's encountered); she will be able to coordinate with his teacher, too.

A thought: See if the librarian will start doing (if she doesn't already) some reading groups for kids -- our librarian in elementary had book clubs where kids came for about 30 minutes after school and had a snack she provided (very popular) and talked about the book the group was reading. He might like a simpler version aimed at reluctant readers like himself -- maybe a time after school to read instructions for something fun like simple origami or drawing your favorite Marvel character, then having the kids actually do just that, there in the library with a snack. If you are willing to help coordinate it and help run it, the librarian and teachers could embrace it. They would need to identify reluctant readers (without calling them that!) and invite them somehow. Just an idea.

Do you guys have razkids? It's a great website that is a fun way for the kids to practice their reading. Ask the teacher about it.

Reading doesn't have to be about reading books at this stage. It can be about reading a lego magazine, if he likes that.

Also, 10 minutes of reading could be, you reading 5 minutes to him and then he reads 5 minutes.

Does he take meds? Maybe you need to consider having him evaluated for an ADHD med? It may be hard for him to focus after a long day at school, but a snack and a bit of a rest, normally will help that. I wouldn't reward him with any playdates or TV/technology until his 10 minutes is done.