I have two toddlers, Chance 4 1/2 and Bailey 3 1/2. Bailey is VERY interested in books, sounds of letters, reading, etc. She is always asking us to read to her. The problem is that she monopolizes my time so much since Chance just doesn’t seem too interested when Bailey wants to do these things. We try to involve him, but he isn’t interested. On the occasions that he does ask me to read to him, I am usually very happy to do so, but even as I’m reading the book, his interest seems to be only marginal, as if he just wanted me to read to him to get some specialized time. I don’t know how to separate the two (which I’m afraid is the only way to teach him), because they are always together, and she so loves the idea of reading that she answers the questions for him before he can think it through.

The problem you are describing is very common; a. among siblings, and b. the differences between boys and girls. Girls mature physically and academically much faster than boys and are usually much more interested in reading than are boys. That’s not always the case, but generally. There are many things I do in my school classroom that involve all my kids, but when it comes to reading, I teach that on a very individualized basis. I work one-on-one with them, allowing no other child to participate with them during their reading time–for the very reasons you describe–a more interested child will answer before the child I’m working with, and then the child I’m working with won’t answer at all.

I think you can read to them together and play fun reading games and share story time, but that your son also needs individualized, one-on-one time with you. His interest level is typical, he’s probably much more interested in playing with his truck, but he still needs to start understanding the letters and sounds and how they go together. Working with him individually, for short intervals (5-10 min) will be enough to begin with. Working with him by himself will also allow you to praise him for his progress and encourage his development without competing with his younger sister. Working with her individually will allow her to progress (probably faster than your son), and not feel that she needs to always help him.

Having each of them have their own reading time will benefit both, but they don’t need to be long, like I said, 5-10 min. each, or if her interest dictates more, then maybe 15-20 min, but not much more than that. Listen to the music while you’re in the car, during play time, bath time, anytime so that it becomes automatic. They know what the letter “a” says because they’ve heard it forever. You may have to have your husband do a special activity with your daughter while you work with your son so she won’t feel left out at first, but she’ll quickly understand that she also gets individual reading time, and will begin to respect that time in anticipation of her own time. It sounds like you’re doing a wonderful job, keep up the good work, and enjoy the process of working with your children.