My son has almost no interest in books anymore?

Question

We used to spend about an hour with him before bedtime reading books and going over the alphabet and planets and now that he is 3 yrs old he has absolutely no interest in books. We still try everynight of course, but it's such a challenge to make him stop talking or jumping and just listen for a second. Or he keeps turning the pages before I can even finish reading a sentence! It drives me nuts and I want to make sure he keeps up the reading everynight but this behavior is discouraging. Is this a phase? Is it the age that they do this?

Answer 1

he's a 3 year old. he has energy! he doesn't want to read and go to bed. he wants to run around and laugh and scream and be free (don't we all). don't try to spend an hour with him anymore. only spend a half hour. chances are it is just a phase. or maybe he just isn't meant to be a reader. maybe he's meant to be a jock. the world needs jocks too.

Answer 2

It's a off and on thing, really. Maybe the last book you read wasn't interesting to him, or maybe you should put emoction into the book? Like if theres a dragon, pick him up over your head and explain how high dragons fly. Simple things like that, or roar or something if theres a lion.
Kids usually snap in and out of books, but if he's turning the pages then he just might think your not reading fast enough- or just wanna get down to the picture.

Answer 3

Sometimes kids like to move. It's really important to read everyday, there are a lot of things happening in the brain when a child listens to the story, which will prepare him for reading and writing as he gets older. There are a few things that you can consider, depending on your comfort level. Just consider these -- they don't all need to be tried.

1. Allow your son one car/coloring book/toy that he can move silently/quietly as you read. While later he will be 'expected' to stay still, in order to make reading interesting and fun, try to do it on his terms. Many times, kids are multi-taskers and need to be doing something. (Put some boundaries around this -- and just read the book, don't constantly tell him to sit down and be quiet.).

2. Read the book without stopping and telling him to settle down. When he sees that you really are enjoying the book, he may get curious and come sit by you.

3. If he turns the page, just read the next page. If he turns that one, read the next. Alternatively, instead of reading, tell a story from the pictures instead -- "I see the dog running away, where do you think he is going?" It doesn't have to be the "same" story.

4. Children that age like repetition, and they like pictures -- and some don't like too many words.... Biscuit the puppy books are good for repetition and funny things happening -- and they are also good when a child is closer to reading to read independently.

5. Find Reading Magic Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox -- http://www.memfox.net/ten-read-aloud-commandments.html

Answer 4

You might want to have him checked for Attention Deficit. I know I have it (47yrs old), I never was interested in reading, because I could not concentrate on what I was reading. My mind always wandered, I could not remember previous paragraphs, and had to re-read, so I just never got into reading novels, etc. My husband would occasionally ask me why I don't read books (as he reads nightly). It's discouraging, I wish I had help when I was a child, but I had no clue at the time I had the disorder. Don't get me wrong...I can "read", and understand short articles of interest, it's just long novels I don't enjoy getting into.

Answer 5

Have him pick some of the books or pick some that will make him laugh hysterically, by Kasza Keiko.
My munchkins used to laugh hysterically and non-stop and they always asked me to read it over and over again, but sure they're funny.
How you found what his sense of humor is? what is he into?
Find books based on his interests.

List of Books must read to your child:
My Lucky Day
Badger's Fancy Meal
Don't Laugh at Me!
Mother for Choco
Wolf's Chicken Stew Soup.

also, check out books by Laura Numeroff about the mouse.
Often in time I rented the video based on the book, then they would see the book and started reading it. They remembered the video and they loved looking at the pictures as well.
hope this helps!

Answer 6

My son did the same thing. What we did was let him pick out some new books to buy. My son was so excited to have his own books that he picked out and he started to like reading again. It also helps to keep him involved in the story by asking him questions about the pictures in the book or the story itself. I wouldn't worry too much, kids go through phases all the time; he will start to like books again. Good luck!

Answer 7

He is doing it to drive you crazy, and you let him.

In the meantime, try letting him have control of the books to look through himself. For some quality time together, why not try telling him stories from memory (with or without lights), or encourage his fantasy by asking at important parts - what should come next?

He is only three, he does not need to know that Pluto has been plutified.

Answer 8

yes actually this is the age that they tend to be more unpleasent. dont go read to him for one night and just make him go to sleep and see what he does. chances are that he will feel lonely and call for you to come read to him and thats when you say ok but you have to be good or i am leaving the room again, this is just a stage he will eventually get over it but dont sit there and try to make him listen because he wont... and it will just make a fool out of you and make him think he can get away with it..

Answer 9

Let him pick out some books from the library. Grab 7, one for every night of the week. Because he picked them out, they must be interesting to him. Good luck!

Answer 10

Get those interactive books. That you like zip something or button something, or it has a mirror in it. Or a lift the flap book. Kids love those.