When you have kids are you going to make them read?

sarah92480 · Post by **sarah92480** » 22 Jan 2014, 13:22

shellbell319 wrote:Yes! I think if kids start at a young age with books they really enjoy, then they will learn to enjoy reading. I think where we get stuck is when kids get to high school, have never really read, and then are forced to read books they don't enjoy. If you have grown up with a love for books, then you know having to read a bad book is only a temporary thing and there is a good one coming down the chute.

That's a really good point, I totally agree with you. Being a lover of books, I never minded having to read for a class. I remember other students groaning and asking the actual readers to summarize it for them so they'd be "caught up" if they were asked a question...kinda unfortunate, really.

dianaan · Post by **dianaan** » 22 Jan 2014, 14:19

Are you kidding me? I will lock them in a room and make them read piles and piles of books! Kidding of course

I think I will let them enjoy life by giving them some tips on how to. But that if in the question is a big one for me right now

Cheryl Rendone · Post by **Cheryl Rendone** » 22 Jan 2014, 16:24

I do plan to read to my children (even as far as when they're in my womb!), as well as encourage them to read. I also agree that children watch what we as parents/adults do; therefore, I plan to read in front of my children.

Bfrisco · Post by **Bfrisco** » 26 Jan 2014, 21:46

I would really hesitate to make my kids read. I'd read to them while they were still too young to protest and hope that they wanted to read on their own when they learned how, but if they didn't want to read on their own, I think making them read would squash any desire that might grow later.

However, I don't have kids yet, so I have no idea how I would really react!

Jolijt · Post by **Jolijt** » 27 Jan 2014, 16:42

I've got four kids (9/13/17/19).

If they do not read at least 12 books a year they have to pay me $100 each.

That will teach them!

-- 27 Jan 2014, 16:44 --

Kidding of course... you can try... you can plead with them. You can not make a child read...or eat.

If you set an example and show them how much joy reading can bring, perhaps they will discover it themselfs.

sissybear · Post by **sissybear** » 27 Jan 2014, 18:17

I wouldn't make them read but no matter what there going to have to read in school.

sarah92480 · Post by **sarah92480** » 28 Jan 2014, 22:14

Jolijt wrote:I've got four kids (9/13/17/19).

If they do not read at least 12 books a year they have to pay me $100 each.

That will teach them!

-- 27 Jan 2014, 16:44 --

Kidding of course... you can try... you can plead with them. You can not make a child read...or eat.

If you set an example and show them how much joy reading can bring, perhaps they will discover it themselfs.

Haha!! That made me giggle.

I agree with your real opinion though, for sure.

ALRyder · Post by **ALRyder** » 29 Jan 2014, 00:37

My daughter already loves books and she's 2 1/2. Every time I get a package with books she gets all excited even if they're not for her, and going to the library is one of the best things in the world to her. I don't think I need to worry about her, but if her interest in books does wane through the years I wont force them on her. As long as she's still reading her school books.

Anita Olsen · Post by **Anita Olsen** » 29 Jan 2014, 00:46

My mother read for me as a little girl. She changed her voice according to the speaker in the story. This made the book come alive to me, and further made me interested in reading books on my own. My opinion is that we should all read for our children, and change our voices while at it, to encourage, and create an interest for reading and storytelling, just like I once got encouraged.

bluetree16 · Post by **bluetree16** » 29 Jan 2014, 09:35

I'm going to push my kids towards reading(hopefully!) by reading to them when they are babies and as little children. Then, I'm going to make sure to have books of their level and interest around my house. In the end, it's going to be their decision of whether to read or not, but I hope that they will choose to read.

Jolijt · Post by **Jolijt** » 29 Jan 2014, 10:22

Only thing you can do is read yourself and have books available. The only avid reader of my four kids is the one I that didn't want to be read to. He was always walking around, playing with toys, or falling asleep when I made him lay down in his bed.
I took about 10 years but now he has a very nice collection of books. The eldest was able to read books by herself at the age of 5 (Harry Potter-like books...) but even with these reading skills she never turned into a book lover.

It's not possible to make a child a reader... the reader has to be in the child already.

amcdaniel_01 · Post by **amcdaniel_01** » 30 Jan 2014, 02:07

If I ever have kids, I would want them to read Harry Potter because it was such a huge part of my childhood, I couldn't stand them missing out. I plan on reading it to them as children and as they grow older, I'll leave the books around the house in hopes that they will pick them up of their own volition. Forced reading never bodes well.

Bookwise · Post by **Bookwise** » 26 Feb 2014, 19:31

I have two kids and have read to them both from birth. They adore books and they are very much a part of their lives. They are both too young to be reading on their own but I am now reading chapter books before bed to my 4 year old and it is a lovely feeling.

Debra · Post by **Debra** » 26 Feb 2014, 23:06

I love reading, but I don't know if I think reading is a better interest than anything else. People seem to elevate it like it is, but why is that better than art or building with legos or anything else? We have books everywhere and encourage it, and it's obviously better than anything electronic, but I don't think I'd elevate it as more valuable than another hobby.

KLyons1 · Post by **KLyons1** » 26 Feb 2014, 23:45

"Make" them read sounds like forcing, which would be counterproductive if I wanted them to enjoy it (and I certainly do!). All the kids in our family are read to well before they're even starting to talk, from the time when all they want to do is grab the (board) book and wave it around or chew on it. So they associate the books with Mom or Dad's attention and time together, which is generally positive. From there, reading as part of the bedtime routine, so they have the idea that reading is one of life's activities. And the books are always around, so if they stop to look at them, or play with them, during the day, that's an option. But aside from reading practice for school and the bedtime ritual, they don't have to read if they don't want to - but usually they develop the habit of reading at least some of the time.