On Older Readers

Growing Without Schooling published many stories about children—most often boys—who, if not compelled, do not learn to read until they are older than their schooled peers. However, anecdotal and research evidence shows that when children learn to read when they decide to, they quickly get up to speed (it takes months, not years to learn to read when motivated) and they are more likely to continue reading for pleasure and information as adults.

Articles about older readers from the GWS Archives:

GWS 44: "Starting to read at 12"; "Understanding When He Needs To"

GWS 55: "2 Hours of Tutoring"; "Stress of Early School"; "School Hurts Reading"; "Reading at 1 0"; "Another Older Reader;" "Not Yet Reading at 8."

GWS 76: "Overcame Difficulty"; "Poor Reader Loves to Read"; "Learning at 10"; Concentrating on Two Things"; "Outside Pressures."

GWS 77: "Feeling OK About Being An Older Reader"; "Older Readers."

GWS 91: "Reading at 10 and 11"