difficult to make 4 yr to sit down to read

[monmon]

HI Meenu:

I do not have a child of my own but I'm a babysitter. Here's my suggestion: When you read to him to a certain point, pretend you do not know how to read some of the lines and ask him to teach you. It always helps wether calculating or reading for the 5 and 7 years old that I babysit. And as for his interest, try to get him some Lego, I found that Lego is an awesome way to train a kid's patience! Good Luck!

 

[gogoma]

I'll give her some snack
she can stay longer

 

[goodbye kitty]

I agree with taking turns to read. You can start with books that have repetitive sentences like 'the hungry caterpillar', 'bear hunt' or 'the little gingerbread man'. This way, you just ask your child to say the line. He doesn't have to read it but it gets him used to sharing the book.

You can also try to move reading away from books. Get him to read some simple words on food packets at the supermarket or recognise his favourite characters names.

The thing is not to make it a battle ground. Show him that reading is fun!

 

[Alby]

Many schools in Hong Kong send numerous of writing assignments home for children of all ages. Some children are not taught how to hold a pencil but are expected to write. Learning in my opinion should be fun and nurture curious minds.

Here are some ideas for preparing and making writing more creative and maybe even fun:

- instead of pencil and/or pen try usinging finger paint and/or crayons
- get your child to write in a foggy mirror (after bathtime) with their finger
- make letters and words using toothpicks
- write words using magnetic letters
- use an magnetic drawing pad (a.k.a etch-a-sketch)

Here are some ideas for preparing and making reading more creative and even fun:

- take turns with your child to read the page and/or a few sentences; one reads and the other draws thus, in the end you will have made your own storybook. This will also increase your child's comprehension of the story and creative thinking skills.

- if a story with pictures make photocopies place them out of order then read and work with your child on putting them in correct sequence order.

- read half the book then have your child color/piant picture(s) of what they think may happen next, in a sense making their own ending. Hand puppets can be made out of socks too if your child does not like to draw and you with your child can act out the ending of the story. Once done then go back and read together the actual ending.

-making a special place just to read with your child is also important such as a fort or special chair maybe even with a special snack.

-I once knew a mother who would read with her children the book upside-down and the children not only could read the words right-side up but also upside-down. This works particularly well with books with pictures.

:gl:

 

[L'est Rose]

I think reading is a habit. I started reading books with my son when he was a bb, and he is interested in reading by himself now (4 yrs old).

However, I found that if he has too much TV or new toys, he will lose interest or spend less time reading books. For example, he has a small table where he usually read books and do some exercise/writing. When there are lots of toys behind him (on the floor), he always wants to go back to his toys.....his concentration is shorter.

Since I am going to move to a new house soon, I will do some planning, and try to avoid 'readying/writing' and 'playing toys' at the same place.

Moreover, I will sometimes bring him to the library where there are more new books for him to explore. You know, kids will get tired or bored with old toys/books....so by introducing him new things (such as books in library), he is willing to go and find some new books to read.