Christopher will not let me read to him! My husband and I have always read to him. For the past several months, it has been impossible. I thought he would grow out of this stage but it is getting worse. First of all, he will not sit still long enough for a book. Then, he grabs the book out of my hands, and just wants to open and close it. I try to just read whatever page he turns it to, because the order isn't so important right now, but that doesn't work either. If he doesn't have his hands on the book, he wants no part of it.
I do read to him while he is in the bath tub, but I want to be able to hold him and show him things in the book (animals, colors, shapes etc).
I want him to be smart and love to read. It is so frustrating!
He is so active and independent. I don't know how to get him to settle down and let me read to him!

By Vicki on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:34 am:

Do you have any interactive books? I am thinking of one that has little flaps and stuff that you can open and close. My dd had a couple by that were like a touch and feel and a lift and seek that she LOVED reading.

By Missmudd on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:42 am:

If you have a toy or a picture of what the book is about let him hold that. I have found that if my ds has a prop to look at while we read our books he does better. Also I know this sounds strange but if he is super into something, my ds is trains, we dont read those books because he likes them so much he just talks about the pictures and turns the pages so fast that you cant read the story.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:44 am:

Rylee is the same way. In order for us to read to her, she has to want to do it. She loves her little books that have flaps like Vicki was saying, and it has numbers and colors and shapes. She has to bring them to us to read to her, if we are going to read. If I just pick up a book and get her and read, she wants nothing to do with it.

Are his books someplace where he can get to them by himself? If not, you might get a few that he can't damage, and put them in his reach and see if he brings them to you. That's what Ry does. We don't ask her to bring them to us, she just does it on her own. HTH

By Cat on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 11:54 am:

I'd just keep doing what you're doing. He'll get it eventually, and then he'll be bringing you every book he finds to you to read to him!

By Sunny on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 12:25 pm:

How old is your son? Is he 15 months?
Get some bath books that he can hold and look at while in the tub.
Board books are great because they can withstand the wear and tear and are easy for little hands to hold.
Picture books with few words, especially of animals or babies, seem to be irresistable to little ones.
Otherwise, I'd just keep doing what you're doing. If you keep reading to him (and read in front of him), get excited when you read and keep books within easy reach, he'll become more interested as he gets older.

By Jelygu on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 12:29 pm:

He likes the flap books... only because he likes to rip the flaps off. I tell you he is destructive. He can get to most of his books, and he will bring them to us, but he still wont let us read to him!!
I know he will eventually love storytime, I just want it to be NOW! lol

By Kaye on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 01:40 pm:

My middle kid never really loved story time. He did better when I found things that really interested him. In the meantime, you can facilitate reading by labeling everything, his drawers, his toys etc. You can also play books on tape for him. And keep trying. You will eventually find what works for both of you.

By Debbie on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 01:55 pm:

My youngest ds would never sit for stories at this age. He was just to active. I just followed his lead and I would look through his books with him when he brought them to me. (Even if it was just turning the pages without reading the words) I always atempted a story at bed even if we didn't make it through. I also made sure that the only books I had out where hard board books that he couldn't tear. My ds is now 4 and he loves to read. Just keep trying and don't worry. Just because he doesn't want to take the time now, it doesn't mean he won't like to read later.

By Boxzgrl on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 03:24 pm:

Ditto Rayanne. We do the same thing.

By Unschoolmom on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 06:22 pm:

He just has better things to do right now. As long as he knows the books will be there when he wants to go back to them he's okay. Books are important but they're still only a very small part of the world for a small child.

By Dana on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 09:46 pm:

What he is doing is perfect for becoming a reader. Let him go ahead and hold the book. He will be learning how to hold it, how to turn the pages and eventually be learning to start at the beginning and work towards the end, hold it right side up and such. All of those skills are needed for reading. Don't focus so much on the actual reading time. Just let him enjoy the feel of a book in his hands!

By Tink on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 - 10:29 pm:

I agree with Dana 100%! Talk about the picture on the page for as long as he leaves it on that page. Just let him see that having a book is fun and interesting.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 9, 2005 - 12:17 am:

I don't remember going through that with my kids. They always loved books!