I would love to post more on this subject but I’m short on time at the moment. Until then, this is just a big *YAY* for my son Aaron (12), who has read 4 books in the last week, and another big *YAY* for my daughter Amber (8) who has read 2. This may not seem like such a big deal, but if you know my views on making kids read, it really is.
Being a relaxed homeschooler leaning towards unschooling, I have not forced my kids to read anything in the last 4 years. With encouragement from others I have waited patiently (and sometimes impatiently) and crossed my fingers, trusting that my kids will surely read something on their own. Many children I know dislike reading because they are forced into it for one reason or another. If I personally am forced into reading something I do not want to read, I know I won’t enjoy it. So, it was/is more important to me that my children choose to do this on their own, discover how wonderful it is and develop a true love of reading.
I have to admit I did not feel too much overwhelming pressure to make my kids read, mostly due to the fact that they both listened to many audiobooks and their vocabulary and comprehension are way above grade level. Aaron particularly - he would be listening to 2 at a time - one in the car and one in his room before bed or while playing video games. His listening skills are tremendous.
I know that there are plenty of children who love to read despite being forced. They love to read what interests them and put up with the reading that doesn’t. This is the way it was for me, and I still love reading. Unfortunately, my husband Doug was a forced reader as a child and dislikes reading anything to this day. I’m definitely glad I did this. It may have seemed like an excruciatingly long wait but it was worth it.
Categories:
