They won't read anymore!

Hi girls! My b/g twins are just about 27mos. For the past few weeks they've been refusing to let me read to them. They still like to sit and look at books -- and read to themselves. But, they won't sit in my lap anymore and let me read a story to them. I am concerned because everything I keep reading says that you need to read to them every day for X amount of minutes. What do you think??

Thanks!!

Jenny

 

Oh man. I'm dead! I NEVER read to mine. Other people do, but not ME.

I "trained" mine to sit on the floor and look at them alone.

I wouldn't worry, Jen, it'll be okay! Enjoy it! Throw in a load of laundry or something!

 

Thanks, Mere! I can always count on you to make me feel better!!!

 

:hug: Please don't stress about it too much. :hug: It's a phase and they are just becoming more independent is all. Mine went through it too (still do at times) but they'll come back to letting you hold them and reading to them. :wub: Maybe while they are playing you could read to them... they'll play a little and listen a little.

 

Mine go through phases, too... I wouldn't worry too much. Right now, Jacob is reading a book to himself, very happily... and I think that kind of independent exploration is important, too.

 

Thanks! I'm all for the independent reading. I just wish they'd let me give it a go as well. I've tried reading to them as they play. One will come by and shut the book, telling me "the end." Cute, but frustrating.

 

I wouldn't worry at all about how they're reacting to you reading.

What's absolutely important: have books at your house, make reading a priority, let them see you reading. (Sometimes if mine ask me something I don't know the answer to, I tell them that I don't know, but I can read about it and find out. Then check the dictionary, or another book, or google it. So they see the process: don't know, read, find out something cool. Like what skunks eat. :lol: ) Definitely keep trying to read to them, but don't worry (and don't show them a negative reaction) if they're not into it. Keep on letting them explore books on their own terms.

You can also tell them stories and talk about books as you go through your day. "Oh, there are your mittens. Remember the mittens in Goodnight Moon? Two little kittens, and a pair of mittens, and a little toy house, and a young..." and give them a chance to finish the rhyme. And talk to them plenty in general. Mine love hearing mini-lectures about anything in the world - the sunset, how you make tea, where bats sleep...

 

Mine LOVE books including my 7 month old but I noticed my one twin was starting this as well. I just continue to read to the twin that is there, or if both leave I read a more difficult book that I enjoy. I have some longer ones that are poems or I read their familiar ones and I think they like to know that they KNOW what is on that page I am reading even if they are not sitting there. Other times I get out a new book, or I start to act really excited or use more expression in my voice. But I think reading out loud a book I enjoy is the best. They also can see your face and expressions as you read. Reading out loud to your kids is a strong indictor for a better reader in school. Having someone else read like your dh or grandparent is good too.

Heather