How do you "make" an 8 y/o boy want to read?

[allie&mattsmom]

My DS8 hates to read. He's in 3rd grade and must have so many AR (advanced reader) points by the end of the year. Basically, he must read an approved AR book, take & pass the test on the book. I am at my wits end and just do not know how to get him to want to read. Our rule is he must read at least one chapter a night. The last few nights, he has cried and thrown little tantrums when I told him to go in the living room and read a chapter. He acts as if it is pure torture to him. He knows he has to have so many AR points to pass 3rd grade but he doesn't seem to care. That's how much he hates reading. Has anyone dealt with this? And if so, what helped? I mean, how do you make someone want to read? My DD10 adores reading, so this is all new to me. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Horizons16]

Have you tried the Harry Potter books? I have heard that kids eat those up and really love to read them.

 

[Jenn]

Find a subject that he loves. Mystery, sports, comedy, adventure, whatever....

 

[Tiggeroo]

Try non-fiction. It used to bother me that my boys wouldn't read. But what they really didn't want to read were chapter books. If I bought them a book with alot of pics on military jets, or a magazine on surfing, or an instructional on a sport they were into it would seem like nothing. But if you asked them anything you would find they could quote whole lines and they were reading these things cover to cover. Their teacher told me that reading was reading. I wanted them to enjoy a book that they spent days reading. They just didn't like this. Now today as older teens they occasionally read a chapter book on a subject they like. They still aren't like dd and I reading any book and spending money in borders. But they have the skills at least.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I am dealing with it. My son was the same way at 8 and is the same way at almost 11. Sorry, no good ideas. Every once in awhile we would hit upon a book that he would like, but it was rare. He's gotten a BIT better but that is only because he feels some personal responsibility at school now but that just started.

 

[robinb]

You'll get more flies with honey than vinegar. While he *should* read because (1) it's a rule at school and (2) you asked him to, some kids are just not as complient as others. My DD is one of them and is a very stubborn child.

How many books does he have to read to get the minimum number of credits? Does he have to read a chapter every single night? You don't want to squash any interest in reading by forcing him to do it. What about rewards? What does he really like? Video games? Divide up the number of books he needs to read and have a reward for a certain number of exam he passes. Put a chart up so he can follow along and anticipate.

 

[Iott Family]

When you say required AR reading to pass 3rd grade. Does he have a list of books that meet the requirement or does his teacher assign a book to him?

We are all avid readers in my family except my DS8! So his required reading is done in as fun a way as possible. He knows it has to get done but why not read together? You read a few pages, he reads a few pages. Also, what are his interests? Ever try comic books? My boy loves super heroes so I let him choose some of his reading so that reading int always a chore to be accomplished. He also gets boys life mag in the mail.

HTH

 

[Tinks]

Although these aren't AR books, have you tried the Captain Underpants series. I found that 8 year old boys love potty humor.

We have an AR expectation at our school too, but it doesn't count toward a grade. I hope you find an answer. It can be frustrating.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

My DS, now 16, was the same way, he didn't enjoy reading chapter books like my girls did at that age.

I don't think you can force anyone to love reading, but one thing we did to make it more tolerable, and then enjoyable for him, was to read with him, rather than just send him off to read alone. I would say "you read a page, then I'll read a page." It gave us time together, I enjoyed the stories, and we could talk about it.

The non-fiction idea is good, also sometimes if you can find a book that was a movie, and get them interested that way. DS enjoyed the books on tape, and he would read along with them. He also has ADD and had a difficult time with reading.

He loves Harry Potter, and he also enjoyed the Narnia series, which surprised me, but we did read those together.

He's still not a huge reader, but it is much better now than when he was younger. Good Luck!!

 

[lewdyan1]

For me, I feel it is sometimes nice to balance the reading with books on tape. Our school Media Center has a selection of books on tape. My DD checks out the tapes and book and follows along. Sometimes, just the change in routime helps.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Find a subject that he loves. Mystery, sports, comedy, adventure, whatever....

Right now the book he's trying to finish is a book called Hank the Cowdog, The Case of the Measled Cowboy. This is a book that he picked out from the school library so obviously he thought he'd like it and when I ask him about it, he says it's good. Last night I even heard him laughing outloud when he was reading, I ran into the living room all excited thinking he was really enjoying the book, turns out he was laughing at a picutre . It's a 12 chapter book and he will start chapter nine tonight. Tomorrow is the AR day, don't think he'll be taking the test. Looks like we'll have to renew the book again.

 

[luvmydogs]

My ds10 was like this during kindergarten and 1st grade--he *hated* reading, and as someone who reads a book a week, I used to get angry with him because it was such a struggle--tears, tantrums and shouting (from both sides!). Then I began to read with him. We'd go up to our bedroom an hour or so before his bedtime and each read our own books at the same time--no TV, radio or other distractions--just a half an hour a night, every night, including summertime. Then we'd talk a little about what we'd read before he went to sleep (this was an idea I got from a friend who did this with her own son). It took a little time, but he really started to love reading for it's own sake, and last year, he actually got an award for the most 3rd grade AR points. He reads constantly now--especially Matt Christopher books, which are all about sports. All from a kid who acted like I was tearing the skin off of him when I made him read.

Best wishes, and I hope you find someting that works for you and your son. A constant struggle with schoolwork can be very draining for all involved.

 

[MamaLema]

I was in the exact same boat as you.

Oldest loves to read and always has. Younger is the same as you're describing.

This is what has worked for me. I go to the library and pick 3 books. I let DS decide which one he wants to read. Then we alternate reading pages until we finish a chapter. The next day we repeat the chapter but he reads what I read the previous day and vice versa, so technically he IS reading the whole chapter.

After a few weeks, DS was willing to read more than a page at a time, and willing for me to read less. Eventually he started reading the whole chapter himself.

My advice is try to let him have as much control over it as he can.
You might have to try many methods first.

Good luck

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I don't think you can force anyone to love reading, but one thing we did to make it more tolerable, and then enjoyable for him, was to read with him, rather than just send him off to read alone. I would say "you read a page, then I'll read a page." It gave us time together, I enjoyed the stories, and we could talk about it.


QUOTE]
You know I've actually thought about doing this and almost did it last night but he ended up throwing such a fit that I was a bit angry at him about his behavior and decided to make him "suffer" through the chapter on his own. Maybe I will try this tonight. Thanks.

 

[Planogirl]

My son is an avid reader but then I didn't really say too much about WHAT he read when he was younger. Whether it was Captain Underpants, Nick magazine, Hank the Cowdog (he LOVED these), Goosebumps and so on, I let him run with it.

Since he's been in middle school, I occasionally make him read certain things. I pushed him into the Series of Unfortunate Events books and now he loves them.

I think that letting him pick out his own books and then joining in might just help. Of course, some people never learn to enjoy reading but it's such an advantage later on if they do!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

My DS7 is an avid and advanced reader. He loves Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate Events, etc. His teacher was saying at Open House that if anyone's boys are discouraged about reading, get them non-fiction. Boys love reading ABOUT things. They don't necessarily want a story about dinosaurs but they'd love to read a book with all the types of dinos. Find something he's interested in and really encourage it. I let my DS read in bed for 20 minutes or so after his siblings go to bed. It's "special" for him to have that "privilege."
Good luck. Of course, my son hates doing "math facts" if anyone has any ideas on that!!

 

[RadioNate]

could there be a bigger problem? I pretty much hate to read but for me it is hard. I'm dyslexic and have astigimatism so it's hard to even see the words correctly. I've tried a zillion different glasses and they don't help much. Colored overlays help a little.

I also have poor reading comprehension during chapter books. Tests we hard for me because I didn't remember small details like the color of something or another little thing that they were asking to prove you actually read the book.

I was in college before I really got any help that actually worked.

 

[Kramer]

I love to read and as a kid my parents were strict about turning off the tv and getting us to bed at exactly our bedtime. But we were allowed to read in bed past our bedtime as late as we liked. It was kind of a reverse psychology I guess.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

could there be a bigger problem? I pretty much hate to read but for me it is hard. I'm dyslexic and have astigimatism so it's hard to even see the words correctly. I've tried a zillion different glasses and they don't help much. Colored overlays help a little.

I also have poor reading comprehension during chapter books. Tests we hard for me because I didn't remember small details like the color of something or another little thing that they were asking to prove you actually read the book.

I was in college before I really got any help that actually worked.

You know I don't know. I really didn't even think about this. He's never complained about his eyes or anything but he hasn't had them tested since, well, I think either pre-k or kindergarten. You bring up a good point. I just automatically assume he pitches a fit about reading b/c it cuts into his fun, like tv, video games, etc.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I love to read and as a kid my parents were strict about turning off the tv and getting us to bed at exactly our bedtime. But we were allowed to read in bed past our bedtime as late as we liked. It was kind of a reverse psychology I guess.

See, I think that is great about reading in bed as late as you want. There are nights when my dd10 would read all night if I let her. The other night I fell asleep and woke up about 11:15 and she was still in her room reading. She said she just couldn't put the book down. I did make her turn her light off b/c she is not a morning person and either am I so I knew the next morning could be ugly if she didn't go to sleep.