For Lorrie
The White's
Hi Lorrie and welcome,
I wanted to share some thoughts about reading. First of all, I really
believe in delayed academics and following a child's own schedule with
regard to learning things. That's what unschooling is to me, child-led.
Just like letting the child learn to potty or wean or ride a bike or climb a
tree, if you wait until the child is ready it's a lot easier.
But mostly I wanted to say that although I like your idea about a treasure
hunt as a way to get you son to read, I don't think that external rewards
are the right way to encourage him. I have always felt that if you start
"paying" a child to do anything then it becomes a quest for the reward only.
I have never given my child gold stars or other external rewards. We don't
sign up for Book-It or the summer reading program at the library because I
don't want him reading a certain number of books just to get his prize. I
want him to read just because it's fun.
So I agree with what others have posted, let your son pick things he would
like to read. Let him check out books just to look at. Read to him every
day. Read things to him that are above his reading level....I have a 7 year
old son. We've read the Harry Potter Books, The Hobbit and are now reading
Redwall. He loves these books. He also listens to a lot of books on tape,
especially in the car, like Johnny Tremain, Ella Enchanted, Jeremy Thatcher
Dragon Hatcher. He's actually started reading some of Bruce Coville's stuff
this year.
Once your son sees what kind of fun stuff is in books, he'll want to read.
Don't stick to things "on his reading level". And try not to reward him
externally, let the reward of enjoying a book be all there is. He'll learn
to love it without the pressure. Public schools operate on external rewards
only, hence grades and gold stars and "free time" if you finish something
early, etc. Try not to let your home become like schools.
If you haven't read it yet, I would recommend Mary Griffith's The
Unschoolers Handbook. It's a practical guide to letting your child learn
from everyday life.
Good luck and try not to stress over it. Take this spring and summer to
deschool & learn even more about homeschooling.
Cindy
I wanted to share some thoughts about reading. First of all, I really
believe in delayed academics and following a child's own schedule with
regard to learning things. That's what unschooling is to me, child-led.
Just like letting the child learn to potty or wean or ride a bike or climb a
tree, if you wait until the child is ready it's a lot easier.
But mostly I wanted to say that although I like your idea about a treasure
hunt as a way to get you son to read, I don't think that external rewards
are the right way to encourage him. I have always felt that if you start
"paying" a child to do anything then it becomes a quest for the reward only.
I have never given my child gold stars or other external rewards. We don't
sign up for Book-It or the summer reading program at the library because I
don't want him reading a certain number of books just to get his prize. I
want him to read just because it's fun.
So I agree with what others have posted, let your son pick things he would
like to read. Let him check out books just to look at. Read to him every
day. Read things to him that are above his reading level....I have a 7 year
old son. We've read the Harry Potter Books, The Hobbit and are now reading
Redwall. He loves these books. He also listens to a lot of books on tape,
especially in the car, like Johnny Tremain, Ella Enchanted, Jeremy Thatcher
Dragon Hatcher. He's actually started reading some of Bruce Coville's stuff
this year.
Once your son sees what kind of fun stuff is in books, he'll want to read.
Don't stick to things "on his reading level". And try not to reward him
externally, let the reward of enjoying a book be all there is. He'll learn
to love it without the pressure. Public schools operate on external rewards
only, hence grades and gold stars and "free time" if you finish something
early, etc. Try not to let your home become like schools.
If you haven't read it yet, I would recommend Mary Griffith's The
Unschoolers Handbook. It's a practical guide to letting your child learn
from everyday life.
Good luck and try not to stress over it. Take this spring and summer to
deschool & learn even more about homeschooling.
Cindy