How do you stimulate reading?

My 9-year old son never reads. He has been diagnosed gifted when he was 4. He could already read at that age.

Later, when he had to read books for school, he started dreading reading, because it were all first readers books with little to no content.

Now, he never reads. He has a huge library, with Roald Dahl, Geronimo Stilton, Harry Potter, encyclopedias,... but he never touches them. I take him to the library ocassionely and he will lend some books, but never touches them afterwards.

I myself am addicted to books so he sees me reading all the time. I still read to him from time to time, and hope that that way he will be curious about the rest of the book but he sees right through me.

This no reading fase has been going on for 3 years now, will it ever pass?

(I am not a native speaker, please forgive me any mistakes in English, my maternal language is Dutch).How do you stimulate reading?
Keep reading aloud to him ... it's great to read aloud daily to a 9-year-old and he is getting something from that (vocabulary, knowledge of books, cozy time with you) even if he's not reading to himself. You can read things to him that are even more challenging than he can read to himself, or you can read things at his level and stop at a cliffhanger and let him pick it up (or not). After read-aloud time, try telling him that it's bedtime, but he can have a 20-minute extension on sleeping if he wants to read. Don't worry if he doesn't take you up on the option right away. Have you tried nonfiction beyond the encyclopedias? Maybe he's just not a fiction fan (and encyclopedias aren't the most exciting thing). Also try joke books, poems, how-to-books, etc. And don't feel like everything he has at home has to be at his reading level. Sometimes kids will be more excited about picking up a book that is a little (not too much, though) easy for them.



You might also get some help from your child's school. My daughter is 8 and she has to fill out a reading log as part of her homework showing what she reads at home every day; she also has to read a certain number of books at home for library to earn prizes. You might talk to your child's teacher to see if some similar mandate from school might help your son start reading at home.
I love reading to!

Why don't you try taking his books away and not letting him read (even though he doesn't want to) he might miss them and beg for the books back or he won't show any sign. after a period of time when you think you should give them back, put them back in his room. and he might (im not guaranteeing anything) start reading them.



You could also take his books away and tell him you gave them to charity, and see what happens. if he misses his books dearly give them back or tell him you will get him those books back if he starts reading them.



Once again, i do not guarantying anything.

I to am sorry if there are spelling mistakes, im not that good at spelling.

I hope this helps!How do you stimulate reading?
It may well be, as you say, a phase he is going through.

I suggest you drop the subject from your conversation. He is getting to the age when he is beginning to realise that he is not like his mother in all respects, and the more pressure you exert (even discretely), the more resistance you will get.



He is at, or close to, the age when all little boys become intensely curious about sex. Stocking one or two explanatory books (with illustrations is best) in your library, may give him an incentive to read once more, at least for a little while.



It is an unfortunate fact, that the use of computers and mobile phones, has virtually eliminated the reading of books as a pastime or learning device, in young peoples lives.



Everything changes, not always, it would appear, for the best.
Sometimes at 9 years old, they would rather be outside playing. Does he like sports? Buy him a sporting magazine. Let him read for fun. He doesn't need to learn anything to read.

Are you sure sure he is still gifted? Talk to his teacher about the level of reading he is in.How do you stimulate reading?
Wow, sounds as if you've tried all the usual techniques. When you ask your son why he doesn't read anymore, what is his response?



You don't want to force him to read, of course, or it will become a chore or punishment to him, and that will kill his reading desire for good. Doesn't his schoolwork require him to read? Maybe he feels that he has to do it at school or for homework and, therefore, doesn't care about reading for pleasure anymore. Have you talked with his teacher at school? What's your son's reading attitude in class?



Perhaps other activities are more enjoyable. What things has he been doing the past three years instead of reading?



He sounds mature for his age, and clearly, he knows that you're concerned about this "problem." Find out what he's most interested in and find "how to" books on those topics. Keep them in his line of sight.



Trying using the internet to your advantage, too. Go to sights about topics you both enjoy and read through the pages together.



Good luck to you! It's great to see a concerned parent. And your English usage is superb!