How do I get my 5 yr old daughter interested in reading?

Question

I have read to her regularly since she was a baby and until recently she loved listening to stories and reading simple ones herself. Now though she refuses to read & doesn't want to be read to. I don't ever force her & have always tried to make reading fun. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

my little girl is 6 now and will only now read unassisted. I didnt force her to or push her just showed her the advantages to reading e.g if she had a party invite i'd read it quietly and put it down if she asks what it says then i'd simply tell her that if she learns to read then she could read it herself. Then i would sit with her and help her read it. This makes her realise the need to read.

Answer 2

If she's a creative kid, try writing a story together. It can be about whatever she wants, but she has to help in the writing and the illustrating. Most kids will be so proud of themselves that they'll want to read it to everyone.
If you don't mind spending a little money, there are websites where you can order a storybook with your child's name as the main character. They're pretty cute.
Or you could go to the library and have her pick out three books that look interesting. Then offer her a small reward (like an ice cream cone, nothing elaborate) for each book she reads before the due date. It's a race and she gets a treat!
I hope some of this helps!

Answer 3

Find really simple books with HER favorite characters - princesses? Pooh? Whatever.

Is she in Kindergarten yet?? Maybe she is having trouble reading and is embarrassed to tell you. Have you had her eyesight checked? That could also be the problem. After you have weeded out all the possibilities - start the reading again, make it a daily routine, say 30 minutes each night while tucking her into bed. Good Luck!!

Answer 4

Do you pick out her books or does she? That was a stumbling block for me with my children. Then, I got them their very own library card and let them go to the kids section alone (but not too far from my sight) and scan the isles until she found something she liked. I also took her to the book store and did the same thing. Maybe she is just "overloaded" right now - I wouldn't worry. A child doesn't have to be read to every night or read every night to become an exceptional reader.

Answer 5

I think all kids go through a stage where they reject what they once loved. My own son was reading very early then at 4 or 5 he "hated it", he has gotten back to reading now that he is 7 and understands more of what he reads. Maybe now she realizes she doesn't understand a word or how to pronounce it and is afraid of being wrong. I would trick my son sometimes with a happy meal that had jokes on it or the funnies. She needs something she really likes (barbie, webkinz, spongebob, etc...) she will regain interest if it intrigues her.

Answer 6

I have three grown kids, and they've all always been readers.

I think you have to make sure there's a wide variety of reading material around the house, but it should also include non-fiction books (like books about making jewelry or doll collecting or animals) that aren't stories but are, instead, books she can browse when she feels like it. The books/magazines don't even always need to be aimed at children her age. Many kids like to browse books that aren't particularly aimed at little kids and are instead aimed at all ages. (If she likes, say, cats or dogs, get a cat or dog book at the library and leave it somewhere for her to pick up. If you think she'd more like something like dancing books, crafts books, bird books, etc. get one of those.)

She doesn't necessarily need to know how to read all the material in the book (although she may try to figure it out). What she needs is to get the feeling that there are books that have pictures/words in them that are so interesting she just wants to browse and study those books. Even a book of just pictures that capture her interest would get her accustomed to that feeling that books are really interesting and engrossing.

Also, though, I'm convinced that my children are all readers because their father and I have always been readers; so while he was reading his thing and I was reading mine, the children would pick up stuff they wanted to read - and we'd all be reading our own thing and yet be together. I think they just saw reading as a natural thing that was done all the time, rather than seeing it as something "foreign".

Most young children like being read to, but then they just outgrow that and want to do their reading by themselves. Try not to send her the message that reading is an unpleasant thing that must be made fun. Try to just leave books around that will capture her curiosity and have a take-it-for-granted attitude that they're around.

One other thought: When I was three years old my mother signed me up for a subscription to Humpty Dumpty magazine. I loved it when it came, and I'd work on it until the next one wasn't too far away from arriving. I don't know if Humpty Dumpty is still around, but there are magazines for young children that have stories, activities, puzzles, etc. like Humpty Dumpty had. Also, there are the children's book clubs that send books every six weeks or so. You may want to sign her up for something that will mean she gets reading material sent to the house in her own name. Sometimes those come with things like stickers or other activities too.

Answer 7

think you have but maybe you making it an issue have some fun go do other things and still read to her now and then maybe shes bored take her to library let pick own stories to read and let her get on with it escape in book if she wants but other things in life and books sure you have given strong grounding and she will appreciate in time ...chill

Answer 8

you should purchase reading software for her. Or start taking her to the library. My daugter was 3 1/2 when we got her own library card and she loves going. Make it an event like every other Saturday where she goes and picks out her own books. It will be her responsibility to read each book she chooses and makes sure to take care of them for returning. You could also have her draw pictures of her favorite parts of the books.

Answer 9

take her to the book store and the library make it a fun thing to do-grab a book that you would like and she will sit next to you and look at books -I got my six year interested by getting him the books for level 1 reader there were pictures and the words are easy. When you are driving pay letter games with her -look for letter in the name of store, etc

Answer 10

I have one son who loves reading and one who doesn't. My son who doesn't is almost impossible! I have to sit with him and read books then he gets into it. I ask him questions and make silly comments about the story while we are reading it. Also, my kids have an hour of "wind down time" before bed. I alternate one night they can watch television for that hour and one night they can read a book.