Annette Naake

When I try to read a chapter book to my 7yo, the 3yo starts getting really
restless and agitated, to the point of yelling, "I hate (name of book -- at
the moment it is, you guessed it, Harry Potter)," throwing stuff around,
whining for food, etc.

I find I get through about two sentences between the interruptions.

Does anyone else deal with this, and how? I have resorted to sending the 3yo
to his room, but I kind of hate to punish him around books, for fear he'll
develop bad associations and so on.

They have the same bedtime and the 3yo usually doesn't nap, so he's
basically around, and conscious, all the time.

Help!

Annette
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Tracy Oldfield

I have this problem sometimes with videos, I say, ' I know you
don't like it, this is what we're doing now, so you can choose, stay
and listen, or find something else, quiet, to do.' I think 3yo is old
enough to understand this, also if you're doing this you need to
make time with the little 'un too. (Now if I can only remember
these wise words, when I'm dealing with mine <g>)

Tracy

On 16 Jul 2000, at 21:54, Annette Naake wrote:



When I try to read a chapter book to my 7yo, the 3yo
starts getting really 
restless and agitated, to the point of yelling, "I hate
(name of book -- at 
the moment it is, you guessed it, Harry Potter),"
throwing stuff around, 
whining for food, etc.

Robin Norell

I have two kids, age 10 and 6.  Usually I read to them separately - my 10 year old daughter is into Harry Potter and living history types of books, while my 6 year old son likes non-fiction books (trains, cars, planes, ships, etc.).  During the summer, we're at a camp where they share a room and I have to read to them together.  I usually read the 6yo's story first - lately he's into Tintin, which is like an oversized comic book, so the pictures hold his attention.  Then while I read to the 10yo, he listens while either looking through another book or playing quietly with toys.  He may not seem to be paying attention, but he'll often ask me questions relating to the story, so I know he's hearing it.
 
Robin
Orlando (and Lake George, NY)
 :-)

Annette Naake

Thanks Cathie, Corallyn, Tracey and all others who had suggestions on how a
7- and 3-yo could occupy the same room while I'm reading to the older one!

The suggestion that worked best was to read the 3yo a story first, and then
let him play with play-doh or look at books while the 7yo and I delve into
chapter books. We're fairly happy with that arrangment, or at least as happy
as these inveterate rivals can be. (SIGH)

I'm going to try a version of this for when the 7yo and I play board games
-- a game with the little guy first, and then something for him to do.

Thanks!
Annette
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