Need advice for encouraging reading

[DopeyDame]

DS is in first grade and he's a good reader. He's not "reading Harry Potter at 4" type of reader, but he's in the top reading group in his class and his teacher recently said he's an F&P level L reader. When I looked up what that meant, I realized that the books he reads at home are waaaaaay easier than that level.
He seems incredibly hesitant to read chapter books or any book with a ton of words on the pages.
He loves having us read to him, and we happily do that every night. The books DH or I read are almost always chapter books, and he seems happy to listen and follows the story.

So... any advice for giving him the confidence to start reading some more challenging books on his own? I really don't think it's ability, but it seems like he just gets intimidated when he sees a whole lot of words on a page.

 

[Mizzoufan]

DS is in first grade and he's a good reader. He's not "reading Harry Potter at 4" type of reader, but he's in the top reading group in his class and his teacher recently said he's an F&P level L reader. When I looked up what that meant, I realized that the books he reads at home are waaaaaay easier than that level.
He seems incredibly hesitant to read chapter books or any book with a ton of words on the pages.
He loves having us read to him, and we happily do that every night. The books DH or I read are almost always chapter books, and he seems happy to listen and follows the story.

So... any advice for giving him the confidence to start reading some more challenging books on his own? I really don't think it's ability, but it seems like he just gets intimidated when he sees a whole lot of words on a page.

find books that match his interest

 

[DopeyDame]

find books that match his interest

Ah if it were only that easy...
For example, he loves the Stink series. But only if we read it to him. He'll bring it to us to read because he wants to know what happens next. He's totally into them. It's also one of the series specifically suggested for his reading level, so he should be able to read it to himself no problem. But he just won't. I suppose I could refuse to read it to him, but that seems totally counterproductive to instilling a love of reading and books.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Read half of the page out loud and then ask him to read half the page out loud. It will take longer to get through a story but will build his confidence.

Start with some cheaper inexpensive books that you can buy two and highlight paragraphs for him to read out loud while you are reading out loud. He follows along in the book getting caught up in the story (hopefully) and then gains courage while reading here and there

 

[nugov2]

My advice is at home at this age don't force any level of books(not saying that you would), just allow them to guide you to what they like. Reading is reading and sometimes getting too hung up on lexile levels this early can squash the reading flame. Unless it is an official school assignment I let my kids read whatever they want.

Does he like sports or superheroes? There are all kinds of boys read lists. My son loves sports books and would pick out books he could finish in 20 minutes even though he could easily read a much bigger chapter book. I think it just makes him feel accomplished. Now that he is older he always picks longer books, but still all sport related. My dd was a very early reader with a high reading level and teachers were always trying to push nonfiction for reading at home to challenge her. She didn't want to read for enjoyment any books like that, so i didnt push it. Once you are being forced to read something you don't want it changes the way you view reading. She is still a very strong reader even without the extra challenge and at 11 always has her nose in a book.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

find books that match his interest

I totally agree with this! My DD was very advanced in her reading and would read anything you put in front of her. DS was more hesitant. I found out he didn't like reading fiction books. He loved nonfiction, especially anything about WW II. So, I happened upon the Magic Tree House Series and he loved them becase even though they were fiction, they were based on historical situations. And, when he was in junior high, he was supposed to read fiction as part of a class project. I tried to figure out a movie he liked that was based on a book, and we came up with Jurrasic Park. Again, find his likes and then see what you can come up with book wise.

 

[Christine]

Read half of the page out loud and then ask him to read half the page out loud. It will take longer to get through a story but will build his confidence.

This is a great idea. The other suggestion I have is to just let it go. If he is enjoying what he reads now and he comfortable, keep reading to him at home.

I think the worst things the schools can do is force too much too soon. They turn a pleasurable activity into a chore. Both my kids were eager, young, good readers. Until they started 1st grade and got caught up in the old STAR reading program. Made them both HATE it.

 

[sk!mom]

Honestly, at first grade I wouldn't worry about it. Continue to read to him books that are of high interest to him. Model a love for a good story. My kids at 19 and 31 still talk about books I read to them in Elementary. As a teacher, my students favorite part of the day is when I read aloud. That is very valuable so good for you.

Then when he's reading independently for his own enjoyment, let him choose for himself.

 

[nugov2]

Ah if it were only that easy...
For example, he loves the Stink series. But only if we read it to him. He'll bring it to us to read because he wants to know what happens next. He's totally into them. It's also one of the series specifically suggested for his reading level, so he should be able to read it to himself no problem. But he just won't. I suppose I could refuse to read it to him, but that seems totally counterproductive to instilling a love of reading and books.

What about book like diary of a wimpy kid? Much less words on a page because it is more of a graphic novel with all the pictures? They have the same humor as Stink.

Will he read any books independently or always wants to read with you? Maybe you guys can sit next to each other and read your own books silently.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Read half of the page out loud and then ask him to read half the page out loud. It will take longer to get through a story but will build his confidence.

Start with some cheaper inexpensive books that you can buy two and highlight paragraphs for him to read out loud while you are reading out loud. He follows along in the book getting caught up in the story (hopefully) and then gains courage while reading here and there

This would never work for my kids.

 

[DopeyDame]

Thanks all! I like the idea of taking turns and highlighting his reading parts. I think some of it is that he just gets totally overwhelmed by seeing a lot of words on the page, so that might really help.
And it's always good to be reminded that reading to him still "counts". Like a few of you said, I really don't want to make reading into a miserable chore.

 

[DopeyDame]

What about book like diary of a wimpy kid? Much less words on a page because it is more of a graphic novel with all the pictures? They have the same humor as Stink.

Will he read any books independently or always wants to read with you? Maybe you guys can sit next to each other and read your own books silently.

I'll have to check that out! For some reason I thought Diary of a Wimpy Kid was more for 3rd or 4th graders and a lot harder than Stink. Not sure where I got that idea.

 

[Thing 1]

I have employed a lot of these ideas and a few more. I read to my boys a ton when they were little and even way beyond little. We would read aloud whole books when we traveled.Reading books way above their reading (but not comprehension) level seemed good motivation to want to explore more difficult books. I did the read one page each and it worked well with one of mine. One suggestion we used was a trip to a good book store you have visited before hand and gear them to the section that has the reading level you think they need to be reading. The best suggestion and what helped the most for my youngest was to seek out books about subjects that crave......mostly non-fiction for my youngest. Scholastic and Osborn has a ton of great non-fiction books on all different levels. My youngest loves anything military, history and wars! I try to also read a lot of the books he reads so I can discuss them with him and we try to have dinner table discussions about subects in his current books. Now when all else fails, I sometimes use this thing called....external motivation. I put a paper bill.....usually a 5 on the last page of the book and tell my youngest he can't take it out till he finishes the book! Also sometimes I give him a paper bill to use as a book mark and when he is done, he can have the money. Sometimes I say the money can only be used on a new book and sometimes not.

 

[sk!mom]

It sounds as if he's a good reader already so just carry on. No need to add pressure and stress at 1st grade when he seems to be on track.

Required reading will happen soon enough. It probably already happens at school.

 

[piccolopat]

How about trying some of the large print books for the visually impaired? If he is just intimidated by the number of words on the pages, this might help him move on to chapter books. You might also have his vision checked. The easy books usually have bigger print and it might be that he won't read the harder books because the font gets smaller.

 

[Mizzoufan]

Also, try Junie B Jones and Magic Tree House series and Beverly Cleary books were big hits at that age.

 

[Darcy03231]

Have you thought about getting him a Kindle or other type of electronic reader? That way he doesn't see how thick the book is and you can adjust the font so that the type is bigger and less words will show on a page. We found this worked well with my niece. It also had the attraction of being an electronic device.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Comic books or graphic novels are always good too. As long as he's reading something. For awhile, we would get the paper every day, because DS loved reading the comics in them.

DS liked the Captain Underpants books at that age. Also, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House. Nate the Great. Roscoe Riley. Wayside School (short stories)

 

[DopeyDame]

Have you thought about getting him a Kindle or other type of electronic reader? That way he doesn't see how thick the book is and you can adjust the font so that the type is bigger and less words will show on a page. We found this worked well with my niece. It also had the attraction of being an electronic device.

I have no idea why I haven't thought about that. That's absolutely genius. He doesn't get a ton of screen time, so that will be extra enhancing to him. (Clearly, I'm an old-school book lover )

 

[cedricandsophie]

I would only caution you to take it slow and not be intimidating. My grandson who is now 14 loved the idea of stories and being read to but got so anxious about actually reading that you could visibly see his anxiety. We and ur daughter tried everything until about 4th grade. The school wouldn't test him...because then they would have to do something about it...so we paid the money to have him tested. Turns out he had a couple unusual learning disabilities involving short term memory and comprehension and retention. Immediately got him an IEP and a private tutor. He is a completely different boy day. I'm not at all suggesting there are any issues with your son but it always helps to air in the Side of caution. Also, about the kindle, his tutor has suggested no electronic devices for reading. He believes the physical act of holding a book, marking it up if needed, going back and reviewing is much more valuable to kids as a learning tool than one more screen they can stare at and get mesmerized. Just some thoughts.