DITHOR for reluctant readers?

[Sue G in PA]

My ds12 is JUST now beginning to like reading (novels, that is). He used to complain so much. We even had his eyes checked thinking he had tracking issues. Not so. Just a tiny astigmatism that the dr. said wouldn't cause sight issues but we got the glasses anyway. Ds couldn't even tell a difference. Anyway, we tried DITHOR last year (we weren't using HOD at that time, though) and it was a bust all the way around. My kids could barely get through a novel, much less THINK about it like that! Once I got them reading, I didn't want to analyze it to death and "ruin" it for them, kwim? What has been your experience with DITHOR with a reluctant reader? We are going to try it again next year and see how it goes...b/c "I" like it!

[GinainMD]

I may be wrong because I have not actually used DITHOR yet, but it was my understanding that it could be used with virtually any books. Could you start out with easier selections or maybe narrow down some selections but allow ds to have the final choice? Hope that this works out for your ds this year.

[LynnH]

My ds was a reluctant reader at the beginning of this year. I used some books that were "easy" for him and this seemed to help. I figured one of the important things was getting him to think about the book and the literary elements, so even if it was easy he could still do that. I would then alternate with a book in the next genre that was at his reading level. I also would give him a choice of 2-3 books and that seemed to help also. He would read the backs and pick the one that sounded the most interesting. He has really enjoyed DITHOR and would tell you that he like every book he has read. He really doesn't complain about reading at all anymore.

[Carrie]

Lynn,

Thanks for sharing that update on your son. I am so glad that he has bloomed as a reader and has enjoyed his books for this year! Your suggestions for helping a reluctant reader thrive within DITHR are excellent and would be just what we'd recommend.

Blessings,
Carrie

[Christi in Ohio]

My ds was a reluctant reader at the beginning of this year. I used some books that were "easy" for him and this seemed to help. I figured one of the important things was getting him to think about the book and the literary elements, so even if it was easy he could still do that. I would then alternate with a book in the next genre that was at his reading level. I also would give him a choice of 2-3 books and that seemed to help also. He would read the backs and pick the one that sounded the most interesting. He has really enjoyed DITHOR and would tell you that he like every book he has read. He really doesn't complain about reading at all anymore.

That is just what I needed to hear. I am hoping to have the same results with my DS who is 12. He doesn't really like to read very much. I don't know where he comes from.