???? about learning to read ds 7.5

[5freespirits]

Hi all!
Looking for some more wisdom!
My ds is 7.5 yrs and shows very little interest in learning to read, he can sight read a few words but that is about it. Basically we are using child-led
learning. We totally unschool, but I am kinda curious for when the time comes that "I" can't stand it anymore........do any of you recommend any particular 'method' or book to help learn to read. This is a kid who even resists bedtime stories. Ocassionally he'll ask me to read him something.
He can decipher the tv guide and most gameboy games.
A friend recommended "Teach Your Child in 100 Lessons".......any thoughts??
Do I just leave him to his own devices??
I also have a dd who at 5.5 yrs is VERY interested in reading.
Should I do something together with them?
Thanks so much for any thoughts you may have.
It is really 'my' issue not his, he couldn't care less!

[TiredX2]

I really feel that children will learn to read on their own timeline. I would definatley not recommend any of the structured approaches (such as 100 lessons) for a child who was not motivated. If your DD is interested and you like that format, go for it. Your DS probably has a lot more environmental print reading ability than you are aware and the rest will come.

(NOTE: It's how I feel, but with only two kids, one of whom started reading by herself before 4 and the other is only 3 I haven't really "put my $ where my mouth is" so to speak).

[Linda KS]

My kids both hated 100 easy lessons.

They like game based learning and Reading Reflex got them both off to a good start. We also like Explode the Code Workbooks (which we use off and on), and the ideas in Trust the Children: An Activity for Homeschoolers and Other Alternative Learners (this is a wonderful book for unschoolers).

It sounds like your son doesn't like to be read to at all and has no interest in books, but spends his time with TV and video games. Trying to teach a child to read who has no love for the printed word is putting the cart before the horse. This is the real problem I think you should address.

You might also have his eyes check.

[applejuice]

It is easier for a young child to learn to read than an older child...

...but forcing them is not good either...

...I suggest reading to him books that you both enjoy... and you and your dear partner should read to each other (books, newspapers, magazines) to show him that reading is a lifelong enjoyable activity to be enjoyed and shared...

in other words, model the behaviour.

[Marsupialmom]

I agree I would not do 100 EZ lessons.

I agree with putting the horse before the cart.

I would look into games that teach reading. Could there be another reason he doesn't like to read? Have you had his eye sight tested?

Especially my son needed "structure" to learn. Evaluate your son's learning style. You might find he does better with more structured to his day. Specific subjects that he can be done and over with then have his time you are trying to intrude on with learning/teaching.

We ended up using Hooked on Phonics with my son. He liked working through the tapes, until he had some basic mastery (mostly the first book). Then he liked me being silly and making up word games and silly acts. He got into Amelia Bedelia (SP). Maybe your son would thrive with some autonomy from you on this matter.

With my daughter I use Phonics Pathways. I have made up games and stuff. We do use HOP as readers because it is here. If I had known different I would used Bob Books.

I love Phonics Pathway because it has filled in many gaps in my own knowledge. I recommend this for a guide for you. Like today my 6 year old is having a hard time with “R” modified vowels. So we got out some corn meal and made words around the AR car, bar, chart, et. Things started to click. We will work on another combination tomorrow most likely with our lily pads with letters on them with a toy frog. With out this book I would not have had a good list nor other tidbits of information that I have used over and over again.

[5freespirits]

Thanks for all the thoughts. He has had his eyes tested and they were fine.
Besides I think if eyes were a problem he wouldn't be able to play gameboy, as it is so tiny.
I will look into some of the book suggestions. Some sound great! Thanks!
He will let me read when he wants to, which I try to do, but it is so infrequent. And things like bedtime stories or if I have a moment to read and suggest it to him, he always says 'no'.
I don't like the idea of disallowing tv or gameboy, as I like him to self-regulate,
but I may go that route......maybe try some structure?!?! Yikes.
I am trying very hard to just be patient and do it in his own time, and as people (family) keep asking if he is reading yet, I guess it got me thinking about it more than usual!!
And BTW I read tons and so does my partner, and we read lots to the other two kiddos, as well as we sometimes read aloud to each other. And whenever I read things in front of him, ie tv guide or signs in stores, I always read them aloud as I thought maybe it might help.
Thanks again!!

[Linda KS]

How does he do self-regulating with media? My kids general self-regulate, but sometimes they just start watching too much TV and forget how to play, so I pull the plug for a week. I think that self-regulating is a great idea, but I'm not convinced that it works for all kids all the time. (I know it doesn't work for mine all the time.)

Are the any kinds of books he seems to enjoy?

[SagMom]

My oldest used the "Gameboy method of learning to read" too. Actually, some of the narrative on those games is more complex than the easy readers. Personally, I wouldn't take that away. As for tv, can you put the closed captioning on when he's watching? Not as a "lesson" or anything, but just so the words are THERE at the same time he's hearing them. How about the computer? Does he play games on the computer that might require reading?

"100 Easy Lessons" is incredibly boring, imo. Even my dd who ASKED to be taught to read, ditched it after a couple of lessons. I'd just try to build on things your son is already interested in.

And, I'd give it some more time--especially since he's reading SOME things. How does the reading aloud work? Does HE choose the book or do you? Are you reading picture books to him or chapter books? Does he think he needs to sit still and listen or is he able to play while you're reading to him? How about a book on tape? Some are straight readings, but others are dramatizations with sound effects, etc. and might grab his attention. My kids liked watching a movie and then reading the book (or the other way around) and comparing them--maybe you could find some books that he'd be interested in that were made into movies?

I think it's hard, as a traditionally-schooled mama, to sit back and trust that our children will learn what they need to learn--especially when it doesn't fit the regular time-table. But I do think it's worth it. Good luck!

[oldermamato5]

Ditto to all the other wise mamas-he'll read when he is ready,I promise. If you start feeling nervous read anything by John Holt.Blessings to you and your family

[meowee]

I would be concerned if my DC were not reading pretty well by age 7 1/2. It is easier for a younger child to learn to read than an older child-- just as it is with learning a foreign language. There really is a window of opportunity that starts to close as a child ages.

Since he likes video games, why not try some of the Reader Rabbit games? You don't have to be heavy handed about it, just maybe say that he must play the Reader Rabbit game for x amount of time before gameboy.

Also, make sure the closed captioning is ALWAYS on your television and put the English subtitles on during DVDs (alsmot all DVDs have this option under set up). I think Gameboy and some video games might have captions for hearing impaired (not sure though). See if they do and turn them on.

He is too old by this point for 100 EZ Lessons. I think Rainbow Resource offers a few intervention courses for late readers... you might want to browse their catalog. But I would try some fun phonics/ reading software before having his do bookwork, since it doesn't sound like that's his style.

Also www.starfall.com is not just for little kids-- they have several different levels-- maybe have him play there?

[Linda KS]

Originally Posted by meowee

I would be concerned if my DC were not reading pretty well by age 7 1/2. It is easier for a younger child to learn to read than an older child-- just as it is with learning a foreign language. There really is a window of opportunity that starts to close as a child ages.

I disagree. I think 7 is very reasonable age for a child to be starting to learn to read and that our culture is a little nutty to think that *all* kids are supposed to be reading well by then. There are studies showing that kids who begin reading instruction at 7 are less likely to be labled with LD than kids who begin reading instruction at 5.

I have met many unschooled kids who learned to read much later than that. For most of them, the learning curve is much shorter and they catch up with their peers in a short time once they are ready to read. One boy I know didn't read at all until he was 10, but 6 months later was reading Mark Twain.

There are studies that back up what you are saying, but they only apply to kids who are in school. A child in school who isn't reading well by 2nd grade has it ground into their head every day that they are stupid. That is how school works. It is the very process of school that makes it so difficult for a child to learn to read at 8 or 9 or 10. If a child is a loving, supportive, home and has board access to the world, they can easily thrive even if they are late readers.

We take a more traditional approach, but I think every mom should follow her gut.

[5freespirits]

Thank you to all of you! It always helps in these things when I hear some others points of view. And experiences.
So far my gut tells me to leave him be, but I can honestly say my head was starting to worry a bit.
I loved what oldermamato5 said. It reaffirmed how I am feeling. And I have read lots of John Holt. Maybe that is why my gut tells me what I need to know. I just don't always listen.
I will try some of your suggestions and see if anything gets him a little more interested.
Thanks again. And I have my fingers crossed that sooner rather than later it will all just click!

[Wilhemina]

Originally Posted by meowee

I would be concerned if my DC were not reading pretty well by age 7 1/2. It is easier for a younger child to learn to read than an older child-- just as it is with learning a foreign language. There really is a window of opportunity that starts to close as a child ages.

Meowee, I've seen the studies that suggest that on the whole people learn spoken language more readily at young ages, but I've never seen similiar studies about written language. I would love to read them, can you suggest where to look. (I realize any study would suggest a trend and not necessarily apply to individual learners).
TIA

[joesmom]

I have never heard that it would be easier for a younger kid to learn to read than an older kid... I would like to know where you got that info... it makes more sense to me that it would be easier as you got older, or whenever it just came naturally.

I don't think 7.5 is that old, anyway... be patient! (Easier said than done, right??)

[chevy974]

YOu are not alone My sone will be 8 in sept and reads very little. He loves his game boy and has time limits but I will NOT read him info for it I ask him to read to me. Unless of course it is way to hard for him but alot of games for his age is reading appropriate. My dd who is 8 going on 9 is also not where she should be for reading either but she is differnt than her brother as she loves to practice reading and reads to me all the time or I to her so I know when her light goes off she will get it But I like you have days I worry to sometimes

amy

[julesinottawa]

First I'll say that I am not an un-schooler so you know where I'm coming from. We are using 100 Easy Lessons right now and we're doing quite well. At the very beginning in the first couple lessons, my daughter was a bit fidgety but she is really enjoying the lessons now and regularily asks if we will be learning new sounds today, is it time for a reading lesson and such. So I have to say that I would recommend that book. We are on lesson 22 I think.

[sha_lyn]

I would be concerned if my DC were not reading pretty well by age 7 1/2. It is easier for a younger child to learn to read than an older child-- just as it is with learning a foreign language. There really is a window of opportunity that starts to close as a child ages.

actually just the opposite is true. Research has show that many children have not developed the eye co-ordination for reading until age 7. The Waldorf method suggest not teaching reading until around age 7, when the permanent teeth start coming in.

[joesmom]

cool. joe is working on losing his 2nd tooth but the permanent ones have not started through yet... so i guess he is right on schedule.

[mama_kass]

Here are some things that I did to encourage reading. I still do these things.

Model reading. Do they see you read for pleasure?

Read to your children EVERYDAY!

Give books as gifts.

Buy subscriptions to mags that will interest them.

Take turns reading to each other.

Buy video games with a lot of reading required to play. I love Paper Mario.

Go to the library weekly and let them pick materials.

[gilnikche]

Robyn,

I thought you would enjoy reading this essay:

Our 8 Year Old Son Still Doesn't Read

BTW, My my daughter is just starting to read. I am absolutely amazed at how fast she is picking it up! I am a firm believer in developing good language skills first. Also a big Johm Holt fan. When I start questioning the way we are schooling' or need encouragement; I head over to www.unschooling.com discussion boards. I also love reading on this site:

http://expage.com/RadicalUnschooling