My 7-year-old thinks reading takes too much effort. He would rather take something apart or put a motor together. He just does not have time for reading. If I try to get him to stop and read with me, he cries, “I don’t want to.” Any help would be encouraging.

Not only am I a teacher, but a mother of 3 boys, and I have a son that sounds just like yours. He would much rather do anything with his hands or a ball, than with a book. Nonetheless, reading is so fundamental to our society, that it’s just not optional. I make it that way, too. It’s not debatable as to whether or not you eat, breathe, brush your teeth, and in my house–reading is not debatable either.

I would recommend that you have a set time during the day (pick his best learning time)—it’s the same everyday, day in, day out. I recommend that you keep it very short (age specific here). If he’s 4-6, no longer than 10 min., older 10-20, etc. Keeping it short and sweet will make it bearable for him on days that he just can’t stand it. Keep a timer close by. Have him set it with the agreed upon time. You stay right with him, helping him as needed. I always make a deal.  Not a bribe or reward, but a deal: you do this reading for me, and I’ll do “this” (something he cares about) for you. My kids love baseball, so they read for me, I let them play ball–that’s the deal. But again, it’s very short and not overpowering. Most kids can stand anything for 10-15 min. When time’s up, reading is over, even mid-sentence. Stick to the deal.

Over time, and carefully selected reading material, I don’t have to remind, hound, beg, etc. It’s just expected, they do their reading, and then on to other things that they love. I’ve even “caught” them reading at different times. It does work. Some children love it more than others, but it can be done even with children that aren’t interested. Good luck.