I taught my oldest son how to read by age 2, his is now 15 and a gifted underachiever. School squashed the love of learning out of him by 8. He is always getting in trouble for reading at school. I had difficulties as he grew older because he could read material he was not emotionally or developmentally ready for. I thought early reading would be an asset. Now I also have a 21 month old son. He is starting to show signs of reading readiness. I have been more reluctant to teach my younger son to read, just letting him explore and exposing him to a variety of experiences. I want to try to do things differently with my second son - but still give him some useful tools. Looking forward to reading more in the forums and maybe connecting with some parents who had early readers who are now grown.
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Nikki
I was taught early by my mom. As a result, primary school was a breeze. I played all the time. Because I was the top student, I went on to one of the best junior high in the state. I was shocked and humbled when I got there. Students there were all so bright and so hard-working. As I walked around the school, I could find people studying everywhere! In Chinese schools, competition is fierce. Unfortunately, I had never developed a good study habit. I struggled throughout my junior high years.
I still think it’s great my mom taught me early. But more importantly I wish she had given me the tools for me to teach myself. As parents we need to teach our kids more than just information, we need to instill a love for learning and a good discipline.
Melody, like you son, I was reading things forbidden by my parents because they were not school books and because I was not mature enough at the time. I was so hungry for books I remember reading under the blanket with a flash light, hiding a book inside a school book so it would look as if I was studying. I read so many books so fast, I didn’t really digest most of them. Frankly most of the books were not very good. If I had proper guidance, things would have been very different. There are so many wonderful books, but at that age I didn’t know how to choose. Try to guide your son in his reading materials and read with him if possible. You can discuss about the books you read together.
Hopefully my experience will help you and your sons.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, and we do hope to be able to help you find what you need here.
Be sure to browse through the different topics on early education here in the forums - and please feel free to participate in the discussions, too! We hope that you will continue share your parenting experience with us here, and I look forward to reading more from you!
I used a variety of materials: Teach You Baby to Read (tried the flashcards, I lost interest in making them). Then Hooked on Phonics (made it though Deck 1 only). Next I tried Romalda Spalding The Writing Road to Reading (used the record with the 70 phonograms of the English Language with flashcards) Always lots of reading everything from Dr. Suess to my college textbooks (I would always point out the words as I read). And lots of listening to books-on-tape (from the junior great books and great books). He was also obcessed with the computer. So I bookmarked 5 sites a day he could explore and let him use Read Please to cut-copy-paste and read the text himself. Somewhere along the line, he figured out how to read. The first book he read was Hop on Pop - so I’m thinking the phonics experiences helped.
I am a childcare provider - most kids who start before a year are reading by three. I use the same resources. I’ve added some more Montessori materials (whole language and sensory based) - but that is the only difference. I like using the phonics - sounds like baby babble anyway - just gives a visual representation to natural sounds. I have found it helps a lot with listening skills and speech.
I also use the accelerated reader books - with books-on-tape. That way if a child understands basic phonics and can follow along with the text, they do not have to struggle to sound out words. They see and hear the words in a greater numbers and at a faster rate. Reading comprehension and speed increases dramatically. It takes a bit of work to pair the books with their audio companions, but it is worth the effort.
RE: How do you discipline/hard work? When I was teaching my first son, I was alway there for him, guiding him the whole way, making sure he was having fun and being successful. He never learned to tolerate failure or boredom. He has yet to memorize his math facts or formulas. Kids absorb everything they are exposed to before the age of six - the sponge effect. Learning comes so easy. If they are exposed to a lot at such a young age - they can coast through highschool. This is what I am struggling with - trying to help my first and prepare my younger son for the future.
I’m am lacking in the discipline area - I managed to coast through college - finishing major papers the night before they were do, studying for a test the day before, completing a course in the first week if it was interesting, barely passing courses after getting A’s at first then losing interest. I racked up lots of college credits - over 300 before getting my first degree, because I never followed the degree requirements, just wanted to learn, not jump through hoops. So I guess I’m not a vary good role model in that area.
RE: trouble for reading at school. My son would have 2-3 books with him, usually sci-fi - not related to school work. He would read during math and other subjects and get in trouble for not paying attention. He actually received detention for reading a few times.
He tends to get absorbed in books and will not stop until he gets to the end - even the end of the series of books. When I take away his priviliages - he doesn’t care about TV, computer, ipod, gaming system. I have to take away his books. Now he just sneaks off to the library or the school library. At least I have a teenager who loves reading.
