How to enourage toddler to read?

Question

my 24-month-old toddler does not like reading at all. If he reads, it only last 1 minute. How to enourage him to read? He can not talk sentence yet, only by words.
Anybody can give me some advice?

Answer 1

There are many sites with this kind of information on it. Here are a few.
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/nibbles/succeed-read.html
http://www.readingrockets.org/articles/194
http://www.bctf.ca/parents/reading/
http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plaissues/earlylit/elitresources/cgactivitysheet.pdf

My personal thoughts are to read to your child as long as he can tolerate it. Don't force it upon him or he will relate reading to punishment and continue to hate it. You can add reading to the bedtime ritual. I read to all the kids I babysit at bedtime (even if they get to stay up a little later to do so.) Let him see you reading...everything from recipes, to newspapers, to books, to magazines, to street signs. Do you have a playroom? Put up posters of the alphabet and picture dictionaries. My friend's daughter's favorite book is one that has pictures of animals. The attention spans of two-year-olds is very short. Expect them to lose interest quickly. Does your son like to push buttons? You can introduce him to the computer (with parental supervision of course).

Answer 2

Read to him. The best time to read to a toddler is when they are tired and getting ready to head to bed, whether for a nap or for the night. That way, he is too tired to bail.
Start with the exceedingly simple books that are only about 4 inches across, and about 4 inches think, and that are mostly pictures.
If you use varying voice inflections, and make animal sounds (if it is a book about animals) and sound like reading that book is the greatsest thing on the planet, then it should hold his interest. Just keep in mind... at that age, a child has the attention span of a goldfish. That is why the very simple and basic books... and at his age, Dr. Suess might be too long winded for some kids.
The Dr. Suess books that are perfect for that age are ones like Hop On Pop, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, etc... with only 3 or 4 words per page.

Answer 3

If your son is anything like mine was at 2...he just wants to run around and tear things up! Our son would NOT sit still to read books. He'd look at a page and then be like, "Oh!! Look at that box over there I can jump into!" His language was very slow to develop, too. If your son is a first-born, he's got two strikes...he's a boy (typically are slower talkers) and first borns typically start talking slower since they don't have an older sibling that models talking for them.

Once our son hit 2 1/2, all of a sudden he was pulling all these new words out of his hat and stringing sentences together. Now, at almost 3, he's a complete jabberbox! He loves to read and often has books in front of him while he eats.

I say, keep bringing out the books. Give it two weeks and bring one out to see how he does. Keep trying...eventually, he'll enjoy them!

Answer 4

Observe what he watches on television, see what his favorite shows and characters are. Instead of using the word 'reading,' ask him if he wants to hear you tell him a story. Give him brief synopsis of the story and add silly voices. Toddlers have a limited attention span. My neice is now in first grade and is the head of her AR group by having read nearly 700 books in one school year. However, she didn't like sitting still either when she was your toddler's age.

Studies have shown now that using silly voices can encourage the child to focus on what's going on. That's why baby talk isn't as discouraged as it was.

So check your reading voice and maybe even think about bringing in props to help with story time. Maybe even your toddler's favorite stuffed animal might want to hear a story too?

Imagination is the key. Grab his/hers...and you have a bookworm for life! Happy Tales!

Answer 5

I feel blessed in that my child has been interested in books sice he first started talking. He is 23 months old, and loves to read. Perhaps it is because my wife and I made reading an integral part of his day. I discourage television, and use reading as a reward. One funny thing I did was take him to the store and let him run loose, grabbing any books that he found interesting and I purchased them. I might suggest to think of things or find things that interest your child, and then spend time with a book showing the same images. That might spark an interest. Good luck!

Answer 6

Well
As parents, you're the most important first step in your children's journey into the wonderful world of reading. It is up to you to create the most supportive environment that turns your child on to reading - such as reading aloud to them often during the day and before bedtime, and placing age appropriate books for children around the house, so that the child will have access to plenty of books. Reading often to your child will help develop their interest in books and stories, and soon they will want to read stories on their own.

For a simple, step-by-step program that can help your child learn to read visit this site: http://readingprogram.toptips.org


Hope it helps.

Answer 7

He should see you reading as an example. Also make sure the material you are using to teach him to read is appropriate for his age. There are also some excellent software programs that tutor kids in reading. Plus give him a break he is only 2 years old. Also read to him, I all ways read my daughter bedtime stories. It helps kids to hear adults model fluent reading.

Answer 8

Children emulate their parents and relatives. If you read so too shall he/she, eventually. Be patient...if you push too diligently the child will rebel. Let them see you reading and laughing out loud at funny stories, they will come around sooner or later.

P.S. If he isn't able to talk yet, how do you expect him to read? I hope that your question was written in a type of shorthand and not the way that you actually speak, your child will never learn to talk in complete sentences if he emulates this. Sorry.

Answer 9

By reading to him. Most 24 month olds don't have the attention span necessary to sit still long enough to read.

Answer 10

my best advice? read to him! have books readily available, especially during times when u are available to sit and read or just look at books together with no distractions like tv and things. also, do u read urself? seeing u read for pleasure sets a great example for the child because they are 'mimicks' of what they see around them. it won't be easy, but if u make it fun and keep at it, eventually he will come around and will want to 'read' more on his own, and the interaction and talking from u to him, will also help to improve his vocabulary skills. i know it's fustrating, but nothing worthwhile is easy! just keep at it, and good luck.