https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 21 Jun 2026 08:15:08 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1810050 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:21:25 +0000 lady grey 1810050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17, @Mrs. Blue: I think I remember reading a post Mrs. Bee did about reading during dinner time, since Olive wasn't interested at all. I can't find the post though. But maybe she will chime in :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1810021 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:12:30 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1810021@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@keepcalmcarrie: Nope, they don't do that at all. I am wandering if their interest will peak more as their language develops more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1810012 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 15:10:31 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1810012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would read out loud to yourself, but not make them pay attention...just make it seem really fun. Get My Truck is Stuck... It's a good one! </p> <p>I'd also try posters or big books to practice pointing and looking without any reading. I just got an alphabet print for his nursery, but just put it on the floor propped against the wall.</p> <p>Last don't "read" at all with them, just point to cool things and or get them to point.</p> <p>But I agree that they'll read eventually! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809948 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:48:53 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 1809948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>J went through several months of minimal interest in books. I've read to him every night since he was around 3 months old, and for a long time he seemed to like it. Then around 10 or 11 months, when he got a lot more mobile, he had no desire to sit in my lap and look at books - so sad! He sounds a lot like your boys, always on the go, but in the past two months he's started getting really into books again, especially ones that include pictures of animals and objects he knows (Goodnight Moon and Moo Baa La La La are two favorites). I think he loves recognizing animals and making their sounds, or touching the rocking chair in GNM and then touching ours while we rock. Are your boys starting to label things? J wasn't very verbal until recently, and I noticed a huge correlation between the language leap and his interest in books. He's 17 months too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809912 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:25:04 +0000 looch 1809912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reading doesn't have to be limited to books! Put word labels on things! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809911 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:24:56 +0000 Radish 1809911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't do much, but around 18 months she just suddenly was interested. Her favorite are books that you don't really "read" like <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/Big-Animal-Book-Board-Books/dp/0312511078/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z" rel="nofollow">http://smile.amazon.com/Big-Animal-Book-Board-Books/dp/0312511078/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z</a><br /> she loves asking what is that? and pointing to everything on every page. Books that she can move along with were also pretty successful before she was really into books (Barnyard Dance). I think every kid is different and when reading "clicks" varies a lot. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809910 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:24:42 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1809910@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: completely agree! This is what worked for us and LO just in the last couple of weeks is finally showing interest.</p> <p>The other thing for when you are home is just to try a little bit at different times of the day. Choose really short board books so they can quickly flip the page. I've had success first thing in the morning before breakfast or right after a nap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809908 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:23:14 +0000 mediagirl 1809908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: we do this, as well. We read 3 books at bedtime and she can do whatever she wants but I will read out loud no matter.</p> <p>My daughter used to love sitting with me and snuggling while we read books. Then one day before she turned 2, she stopped sitting with me. She still loves books but now she won't sit still for them. I just keep reading and hope one day she will want to sit with me again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809900 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:20:19 +0000 cmomma17 1809900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: Trying reading when they are stuck in their highchairs and can't escape! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809891 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:16:31 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1809891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaMoose: That's a great idea. They haven't really shown in strong interest in any type of thing yet, but when they do, I'll definitely try to find some books about that. </p> <p>@Anagram: We've tried flap books to no avail. And we do read at bed time, but our boys don't really get calm and tired. They have to go from jumping and giggling in their cribs to falling straight into a dead sleep. I'm telling you, they are only interested in MOVEMENT!!! Crazy energetic babies! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809863 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:05:16 +0000 Anagram 1809863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I honestly wouldn't worry too much at this point. It's kind of like vegetables...you just keep offering and eventually, most kids will come around (as long as you keep offering and don't give that up).</p> <p>The lift-the-flap books are a good idea, as are the books with little sound buttons to push.</p> <p>Also, what about a book at bedtime after the last sippy, after the toothbrushing, after the pjs...when they are nice and tired? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809847 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:58:12 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1809847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lorelei!! I'll wall you. Now at 2.5 she loves books as much as the rest of us do and has decided favorites (which she has basically memorized). There's hope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809842 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:56:13 +0000 cheert16 1809842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: B wont sit and listen to a book either. He starts sitting with me, and three pages in he grabs the book and closes it, or he just wonders away ignoring me. We have had a little success with the flap books- but then he wont let me read it, he just wants to play with the flaps. We are in the same boat over here... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809826 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:46:40 +0000 My Only Sunshine 1809826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter is a little younger but we're going through the same issue! </p> <p>This isn't a revolutionary idea, but we've had luck with more "experiential" books - lift the flap books (I can't figure out what's so special about this one but "Where's My Sweetie Pie" by Ed Emberley is far and away her favorite), books with textures to feel, sing-song-y books, or books with instructions to follow like "Let's Dance Little Pookie." Something that can keep her hands or her whole body engaged instead of just sitting and looking seems to help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809811 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:38:56 +0000 Veggiemama 1809811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read to them while they are eating at the table, they love it! I also sit on the couch and read aloud while they are playing, usually my older child will come sit next to me eventually but the little one doesn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809803 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:33:20 +0000 MamaMoose 1809803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: Try to find books that are about something they really like. So if they love trucks, get truck books. If they love dolphins, get a book about dolphins. My LO wasn't super in to books at first. But then she got really interested in the fish tank at her day care, so I read her "one fish, two fish". She was hooked and became book obsessed after that. Her current obsession is elephants so I bought some Babar books for an upcoming plane trip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809796 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:30:41 +0000 mrs. wagon 1809796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wagon Jr. did NOT enjoy books or reading together at all, unless it was him just independently looking at pictures on pages. It crushed us because we were such huge bookworms growing up. But now, at age 4, he LOVES stories and books. He'll ask us to even read him little pamphlets that come with his toys because he thinks it's a story. Bedtime takes so much longer because he demands story after story. This probably didn't start until about age 3.5? or 4?</p> <p>LMW LOVES stories and books and will sit down and read with us. So really, I think it just varies from kid to kid, and some kids just grow into the love for books later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809790 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:29:10 +0000 LovelyPlum 1809790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: gotcha. Sorry they didn't work :bummed: One further thought-if they like sing songy books, and you have any of them memorized, have you thought about just reciting them sans the book? Something like Chicka chicka boom boom? That way, you can keep exposing them to stories, and hopefully the books come later! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809777 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:24:59 +0000 Mama Bird 1809777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: totally went through that at your kids' age! I'm not sure when things changed, maybe around 19 months, but I'm happy to say B now sits and listens to almost a whole story :) I fell like pictures of things and animals he sees every day helped, but nothing I did really interested the kid till he was ready. Just have patience! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809770 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:21:59 +0000 BananaPancakes 1809770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: My 27 month old had very little interest in books until about 2 months ago. Just suddenly decided they were awesome and now requests them constantly. I don't think I did anything special beside making them readily available and opening one up every once and a while. I think it was just an age thing for him. Don't give up hope! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809757 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:18:02 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1809757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: Misery loves company! But I'm sorry you have to be my company on this one. :) Someday we'll have kids that like books. Someday. I read this line out of the Baby Whisper for toddlers book about how there is no more cherished time of the day for both parent and child then snuggling up for story time, and I wanted to throw the book across the room! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809749 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:16:20 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1809749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's a link to some tips from a program I participated in some years ago:</p> <p><a href="http://www.reachoutandread.org/resource-center/literacy-materials/choosing-books-for-children/" rel="nofollow">http://www.reachoutandread.org/resource-center/literacy-materials/choosing-books-for-children/</a></p> <p>Wishing you success! :heart: :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809746 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:16:03 +0000 Mrs. Blue 1809746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: Yeah, we put up their toys already so there's nothing to distract, but they just play with each other or jump on us. :bummed: </p> <p>@LovelyPlum: Good ideas! We've tried all of them, other than incorporating toys, but I'll try that! We do have books in their room and the living room. On the weekends, we read during other parts of the day, but during the week, we have to do it in the evening. Reading to them separately didn't work--they just thought it was "try to wrestle with Mama and Daddy" time. I'm not sure if it's the language delay or something else, but they won't look for or point to anything yet, in books or in real life. :crying: </p> <p>@FliegepilzHut: Books that we can "sing" to them are one of the only successful-ish things. Dr. Seuss they have no interest in, but our Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Ten Monkeys Jumping on the Bed books at least usually get them to stop and look for a page or two!</p> <p>@Mamaof2: Glad to hear this! I think it may just take some time for them, too, but we'll keep trying! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809737 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:13:08 +0000 edelweiss 1809737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no advice, just wanted to say i'm in the same boat. we've done everything you're "supposed" to do with my 19-month old--reading to him every day, all different kinds of books, letting him pick the books, books in every room...unless he's really really tired or is having an unusual moment, he would rather be trying to climb furniture or inspecting the white noise machine. around 1-year old he did show more of an interest for a few weeks, but that went away. </p> <p>we read to him while he's doing his thing. there is no way i could force him to sit and read with me, and i don't want to throw him in the crib as a "punishment". i figure it will change at some point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809726 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:09:44 +0000 LovelyPlum 1809726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I clearly have no experience, but here are some ideas I brainstormed:</p> <p>Could you maybe incorporate stories and toys more? So, if you have a book about trains, and you have toy trains, break out the trains and read while they play. </p> <p>Also, maybe keep books in several rooms in the house. That way, they are not associated with one time of day.</p> <p>When we were younger, we also loved finding things in the pictures. Our favorite book of all time was King Bidgood's in the Bathtub because it has amazing pictures. Do you think they might be interested in that?</p> <p>I don't know how you all do it with the twins, but do they ever get/like alone time with either you or your husband? Maybe you could incorporate a story into their one on one time with Mommy or Daddy.</p> <p>Good luck, Mama. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809724 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:09:35 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1809724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: Disclosure: not a parent yet...but I think at that age, kids usually enjoy the rhyming Dr. Seuss-like books. Or since they're so active, maybe reading books that have activities or movements that go along with them (like some songs or nursery rhymes)? When they're just a little older, I bet they'll start developing interests in books about specific topics (animals, vehicles, dinosaurs, etc). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809717 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:08:06 +0000 blackbird 1809717@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would probably drop it for a few weeks...maybe it'll seem more interesting to them, then :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809710 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:05:11 +0000 honeybear 1809710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You could borrow children's books on CDs from the library. We listen to them in the car or during breakfast/play time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809709 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:04:51 +0000 Mamaof2 1809709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD didn't get interested in books until age 2 - I thought it odd since my DS loved books from birth!</p> <p>I would sit and read and like your kids she would sometimes come over and sometimes not - I still read.</p> <p>Same at bedtime - she would be in her room dancing around - haha - but I would read 2-3 books out loud regardless.</p> <p>I cant pinpoint exactly when it happened but around age 2 she finally sat down in my lap and listened. She is almost 3.5 now and LOVES books!</p> <p>Just keep reading! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-reluctant-readerlistener#post-1809706 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:03:47 +0000 Smurfette 1809706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: Yeah I would try and do during the day. Maybe at first try it twice a day. Could you do it in a room where there aren't toys to distract them? </p>