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I don’t really have specific advice but is the teacher recommending books? We got a lot more resources from her when we asked in person a day I happened to be there. The Bob books and such helped us since they are more limited vocabulary vs just a early level reader that can still be hard for them.

Also just want to encourage you that I feel like reading is something where the progress is not linear ... it’s a struggle and then suddenly they get it and it gets easier. Is morning an option when you’d be fresher and then you read to him at night? (Honestly I couldn’t do it because elementary starts early here but thought I would throw it out there!)

We had the same problem where getting him to even try to read was a struggle. I second the recommendation of the Bob books https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0439845009/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Once he had success with reading these very simple books, he was much more likely to attempt something a little bit harder. We tried it out on a weekend afternoon first, when we all had a bit more patience and then tried to incorporate him reading a few nights a week right after dinner.

My 5 year old kindergartner is just starting to read and thankfully doesn't have any requirements from school yet. My approach as been along with what @merriment said - I capitalize on kiddo's excitement and don't push it otherwise. The biggest win for us has been the early reader books that are based on cartoons, like Shimmer and Shine and Sunny Day. She gets really excited about them because she knows the characters and the words are big and easy enough for her to sound out. Rarely can I get her to sit down during the day or even in the evening, usually she's roaring to read when we get in bed, which normally would be fine if it didn't send her brain into major overdrive and she then can't fall asleep, but we have a deal that she can read a few pages on her own and then 2 books that we read to her after so that she can calm down a bit. And we capitalize on anything she takes initiative on - reading signs, etc. We also get really excited about any time she reads, so that it registers as something fun with her. All in all, I wouldn't worry about the school pressure. Maybe see if he naturally gravitates toward books at the library or the store or something, but otherwise let it be and it'll come.

I'm not a huge fan of character books but reading the superhero (batman, spiderman, etc) "step into reading" books pushed my son over the edge into full blown reading. I got a set for inexpensive at costco this summer, but our library also has a ton so maybe check there so you can test out and see how he likes them?

We’re in the same boat. My DD is supposed to read 10 minutes a day but it takes us 40 min to accomplish 10 minutes of reading. That’s half of her at home awake time. I hate that our evening are dinner and nagging about reading. We don’t always get it done. We try to do Fri, Sat, Sun because she’s less tired.

The BOB books are helpful. They gave her more confidence to try sounding out with me and on her own. Still it’s a struggle.

DS is in kindergarten and thankfully doesn't have any reading requirements. Can you focus on reading time on the weekends instead? During the week maybe try picking out words on signs, food packaging etc to get in some practice.

We read to him at bedtime but sometimes he wants to read to us. I like to share the reading with him. We take turns reading sentences. Sometimes I'll let him start the story and read a couple pages then I'll finish it.

I just read *to* my kid, and then she reads on her own, but I don't really make her read to me. I figure whatever makes her happy to be reading. Also I do cheat and let her write down stuff we read on the weekends. I wouldn't push that hard, personally. I think it's more important to spark their interest and have them find a way for reading to just be useful and enjoyable, rather than trying to force the assignment aspect of it. I really believe kids are naturally curious and want to learn, and if we follow their lead and look for ways to bring reading into their interests, they will come around. Six is still pretty young, too. It can be as simple as you writing silly secrets down, or getting books on something that's already interesting, or reading baby books to a younger sibling/cousin/neighbor. I see someone suggested Bob books which can be good to start with.. a bit hit/miss as far as interest. Unless your lo is really behind, I would try not to put too much pressure on either of you. Another thing you could focus on is reading to him and working more on comprehension rather than decoding/"reading".. (sorry not sure if I"m using those terms totally right.) I think someone also suggested doing this more on the weekend. I would also do that, when you're feeling better and not rushing to do dinner/homework/housework/etc.

@hummusgirl: I've heard a lot about kids learning to read just from sitting next to someone who reads to them, so what you're doing is probably helping a lot!

Apparently my mom first learned to read upside down, because she'd sit across from her mom while she read. Oops I've also seen DS's reading improve big time because DH reads to him, and he sits there and follows along.

@hummusgirl: if its hard I would start with simple books with just a few words per page - BOB books are great - then you read a page and then he reads a page

I haven't read all of the comments but what we did last year when my daughter was in kindergarten was we would read to her, but ask her to read the "sight words." So, maybe have your son start off by "reading" words he already knows. Also, as others have suggested, finding the right book has been key. My daughter didn't have a reading requirement last year, but as a first grader is supposed to read for 10 minutes a day. She really didn't want to until she was introduced to Mo Willems' Piggie & Elephant books. She LOVES them and now reads two books to herself every night. Good luck!!