Pam Allyn is the Executive Director of LitLife, a nationally recognized consulting organization specializing in the teaching of reading and writing. She is also the Founding Director of and her husband Jim, who is the Chief Executive Officer of LitLife, are the parents of two daughters, Katie and Charlotte, ages 14 and 16.
Parent's question:
Dear Mrs. Allyn,
My ten year-old son seems to have no interest in reading. As much as I try to bring home all the latest and greatest books, and the books I loved as a child, he resists sitting down to read. I know he can read, as I ask him to sound words out with me at bedtime, but why is he so resistant, and what can we do about it?
Paula M.
Mrs. Allyn's Answer:
Dear Paula,
Research shows us that there are differences in the way boys and girls interact with text. The books that may have been your lifelong favorites may not appeal to your son. Rather than worrying about levels or what he should be reading by this age, the key is to find the texts that will resonate with him. These texts may be in the form of comics, graphic novels, science books, magazines, manuals and guides. There are a number of series books out now that are not so long that they will tire him, and that contain humorous pictures that lighten the reading work Some of these include the Captain Underpants series and The Zack Files. Reading anything and everything is not only okay, it is going to help him tremendously with his fluency and stamina!
Rather than having him do the hard work of sounding out words before bedtime, take this time to let reading feel like a joy for him: select a recent article from the newspaper that might be of interest to him, and read it aloud together and discuss. Find a funny and silly group of poems (Jack Prelutsky is always a good bet) to read to him before bed. Use this as an opportunity to model why you love reading and to convey to him the pleasures of the sound of language, for that is all part of the reading experience.
And finally, do check in with his teacher for an in-person conversation to make sure that he is on track in school in regard to his reading progress. People generally resist what feels really hard. If there is something getting in his way, you and his teacher can work together to create a plan, which might include some additional assessments, which will help ease his way. Happy reading!
Mrs. Allyn
