How can I get my son to enjoy me reading to him?

Question

Hes 22 mo old and very active. Hes had eye surgeries and the doc suggested to help him strenghthen his eyes by reading to him but he wont sit down long enough to get through the first page. He usually takes the book away and wants to stand on it instead, lol. or he even puts it back into the bookcase (or at least tries to, lol) Ive never been able to read to him since he was younger but how can I get him to enjoy it now. Hes still not talking and doesnt do the shapes and puzzles like some kids do his age because hes not interested. We do think it has a lot to do with his eyes. He had Strabisimus, or crossed eyes and is doing much better now. We are not going to try glasses because we cant even get him to keep a hat on his head, lol. I know maybe to wait until he is older but I cant even read to his 7 month old sister without him taking the book away or turning the pages over and over.

Even getting him to look at picture books...not interested...

Answer 1

Keep trying but stop him from taking over the story time and doing what ever he wants (grabbing the book, turning pages etc). Ask him if he would like to sit down and listen to a story, tell him exactly what you want from him (sit, listen, watch, turn the page when told). If he stops listening (etc), stop the reading and put the book away and tell him why.
Try reading to his sister and make sure he doesn't interrupt you or disrupt this time you read to her. It takes a lot of time, patience and repeating your requests to sit and listen. It will work but it will take time, just be patient.
My kids were like that but eventually they both learned to settle in and listen to the stories. I read them stories (two each) from the age of two until they were about six, they loved this time and love to read now (teens now).

Answer 2

Try some websites with children in mind they have stories and he may be able to see it better because its lit. Or try some stories on audio book to get him into the rythum of reading then it will help but at this age most boys dont sit down to do anything much. That is totally normal at this age for him. The audio stories can play while he does and he gets the idea. Our 25month old only will sit once in a while but does like to have a book for sitting on the potty!!!Good luck.

Answer 3

your son is still young and at this age it can be difficult to get them interested in books. My daughter is sometimes the same way. I just make sure that the books are always accessable to her. Sometimes I find her sitting by the shelf with all of the books around her. You should keep this reading experience a fun experience - be patient and dont get frustrated with him. Try books made of cardboard with textures, sounds, and interactive things on them so he can play with them first. In time you may be able to read a page or two to him. Don't worry at this age you are probably not going to make it through the entire book.
In terms of the glasses, I understand that it may seem dangerous or even wasteful to put glasses on him. However, his sight is important for his development in multiple ways. There are bands available that will help hold his glasses on. In time he will get used to them, but it is like everything with children - it takes time. If he notices that he can see better with them he may be more willing to wear them.
good luck

Answer 4

It's hard to get any 22 month old to sit still long enough to read a book! But what worked with my daughter was finding books that had touchable things, like textured pictures (meant to be touched and explored) or lift-the-flap type books. It requires their interaction and she enjoyed them more at that age than just regular picture books. It might also get him interested in exploring other sight oriented games, tasks, etc. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

Hi! I'm sorry you're having troubles...I am an English teacher whose mom was a Literacy Coach. I don't have any easy answers, but here are some thoughts:

Does he have favorite TV shows/characters? Have you tried books that are about them?

Have you tried storytime at the library or your local Barnes & Noble or children's bookstore as a way of getting him into books?

Have you tried really short board-book style books? Books with things for him to feel, flaps to lift, etc.?

Have you tried waiting til he's feeling sleepy and cuddly?

Does he like holding books, just carrying them around? Does he feel ownership of his books, have access to pull them off the shelves if he wants to? My niece loves going to her shelves and picking out books, then just carrying stacks of them around.

You said he likes turning the pages over and over - maybe encourage him to "read" books by himself, just turning the pages, and see if he will "read it" to you - tell you a story. Then maybe he'll ask you to read him one sometimes. Or maybe take turns "reading" each page - it doesn't matter if the story makes sense or not, the important thing is for him to get some enjoyment out of reading.

Ok, well that's all I've got for now. Good luck!

Answer 6

First of all, if your kid needs glasses to correct his vision, you are doing him no favors by waiting until he is older to get them. It is much easier to get a kid to wear glasses than it is to get him to wear a hat! It took a full year before my son would wear his glasses all day and he started wearing them at the age of 30 months. He now wears them all day, every day. He can see facial expressions and actually make out the pictures in the books.

Second, as far as what he does with the books when you try to read to him, sounds just like my son when I try to read to him. My son is mildly autistic. I keep books available for him, several times a day I would try to sit with him with a book and look at the pictures letting him turn the page( this was more effective after he got glasses and could make out the pictures on the page) as we went. He loves to look at books, he won't let me read to him yet but he will point to things when I ask "Where is the dog?" etc.

He is almost 4 now. His favorite book is a look and find book. We spend alot of time finding things and trying to get him to name them as he looks for them.

It takes a lot of patience with some kids. By the time my daughter was this age I had read several hundred books to her. I am still waiting for the day my boy will actually let me read a complete story to him, but in the meantime Patience is my pal.

Keep trying, don't give up, eventually he will make the connection with the pictures and the words and hopefully beg you to read to him.

Answer 7

At 22 months he is in the explorer stage... he is not going to sit still. Children that age are not meant to sit still. This is their time to explore the world around them. Have him throw wads of paper at a distance trash can or maybe some other game involving hitting a target that would require adequate visual stimulation.. find creative ways to get him to stimulate his eye muscles.

Answer 8

you should chose a reading time, sit in the same room with him reading out loud and look as if you having the most fun you could ever have. Laugh and giggle whatever it is you do to show that you are enjoying yourself. Don't pay any attention to him and he'll come to you. When he try to take the book away let him. Pretend that you still have the book, read on(make something up if you have to). Then annouce it time for another book and ask him to join you and let him pick the book. It worked for me.

Answer 9

What the doctor wants by him reading is him focusing on something close to his face and working his eye muscles while doing it. You can get the same result with some finger paints or other art activity.

Iam sure your son would have more fun with a hands on thing like that :)

Answer 10

If sight has been an issue, give him time to connect that books are things to explore with our eyes. make some books with family photos. keep lots of board books (less easy to damage) in easy reach and make a big deal of having him pick out a book-let him bring it to you and sit in your lap on the floor to read it. give him a little time to find out more about them, once he sees it is something he can do with mommy and daddy-he will be hooked.