Emma loves books. We go to the library once a week now, without fail. We have bookshelves in almost every room of the house. Emma refers to her shelves of books as “Emma’s library!” We read her stories every night and through the day.
She knows all her letters by name. She knows some of the sounds. She’s constantly asking us to read this word or tell us that sound. “What sound does this letter say?” She’s three and a half.
Part of me is torn. Torn about up and teaching her how to read already. On the one hand, I’m pretty sure she’s ready and that I can do it. On the other hand, why? Why force her? Why not wait until she figures it out on her own, which is also quite likely? I can see her thought processes that are so similar to the ones I had when I taught myself to read at 4.
But it would be so cool to not have to read her the same book over and over again, and see her do it “all my by self!”
At any rate, whenever she starts, she’ll have all the books read in the house by the time she’s 16. Just like the rest of ‘em.
In related news, last night she wrote her name semi-legibly.
Wow!! Way to go Emma! She’s such a smart little girl.
Smart little cookie, indeed.
Very smart indeed. She’ll be reading soon no matter what you do.
At the risk of sounding overly smug and pompous, I think it has less to do with Emma and more to do with what we’ve done with her, as loose as it is. Ron and I have a theory that most kids are this capable.
I know with the other three kids, we had the same atmosphere, but they were all taught to read using the same programmed approach, one which I am sure I am not using with Emma anyway.
They’re all good readers, with varying degrees of liking reading. Addison is voracious and has alway been a few grades ahead in level, which is slowing down. He’ll read just about anything, same as me. Sarah likes “fluffier” stuff but is getting into historical fiction and harder novels. She’s always been a couple of grade levels ahead. Meaghan is at grade level last I checked, but she mainly reads when she has too. She doesn’t think curling up with a good book is a good use of time. Except latley, if it is a cookbook.