how to ease back into reading after long break?

[craft_media_hero]

We've been "on break" from our structured hs stuff for most of the month. DD seems kinda resistant to get back at it . . . we only do 1.5 to 2hrs a day, 4-5 days/wk. It's pretty relaxed, but we need to get back into our routine.

I'm not worried about the math and science, she loves that stuff. I'm worried about re-introducing the reading. Honestly, she has done NO "real" reading over our break. She loves to look at books and be read to (that's great!), but she does not attempt any of the words without being asked or coaxed. I don't get it. She'll ask me, "what does P-E-T" spell, and I'm inwardly like, cmon, you've known that forever, when is this going to click? She had a bad experience last year in ps K, and I know that kind of shadowed her attitude toward reading and writing.

Anyways, how can I gently re-introduce reading practice without turning her off or making it a power struggle? Her "real" reading level is about beginning Frog and Toad or Little Bear, but her "preferred" reading level is like, Biscuit or similar. Should I just have her re-read me Biscuit over and over to boost up the self-esteem? Should I go back to non-book approach (ala Peggy Kaye)? Should I quit trying to make her read? What do you think?

[lach]

Would you consider online games? I was looking at a few different sites tonight, and they all seem nice. I looked at Starfall, which is free, and Reading Eggs and Mindspring which are both subscription-based, but they all seemed really cool. IMO Reading Eggs was the nicest.

[craft_media_hero]

Yeah, that's a good idea, lach. Fun and gentle. She does like the online games, I'm pretty sure she'd be willing to do a little Starfall everyday.

I got her a "Tiny Titans" comic for xmas, and she got a little into it today, too. I think maybe comics and computer for a while would be good. And the reading games for a while.

[elizawill]

my daughter has a book basket in her room. it is filled with readers at her level & for her interest. she reads them at bedtime & this seems to help a lot. we're off for holiday break currently, but she still reads at night time. maybe something like this would help?? just a though. hth.

ETA - keeping books at an easier reading level for your dd is absolutely okay imho. my daughter's reading level is chapter books, but she still enjoys simpler picture books. whatever she chooses is still great reading practice, & it's developing a love for reading, ykwim? it's all good!