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When my son Jonathan was about three and a half, he started showing an interest in reading. He knew all his letters and most of their sounds. He would flip through books and “read” the ones he'd memorized or make up the story for those he didn't know. And then, he started asking to learn to read.
At first, I panicked. I found myself a little lost at how to teach a child to read. I thought I'd have a few more years before I'd cross that homeschooling bridge! Thankfully, I attended a local homeschool seminar and found some great resources. I learned so much in the process over the last year and a half.
Continue reading Four Things to Remember When Teaching An Early Reader over at The Homeschool Classroom where I'm a monthly contributor.
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Having now had 3 early readers, I agree with a lot of what you have discovered. Most importantly, what I have learned is that just because your child CAN read it, that doesn’t mean that they are “ready” to read it. Benjamin and Andrew CAN read at a very high level, but they enjoy reading books that are a little shorter and designed for children their age. Whenever they read, they will be practicing. What I have started with Benjamin is having me pick the first thing we are reading for the day and then letting him pick whatever he wants next. The result is that he is far more excited about what he is reading and is getting in more practice. With Kate, I have her read just one or two BOB books a week and then when I am reading to her have her pick out words that she might know or can decode on her own. She gets very excited that she is “helping” me read to her.
You’ve been a great example for me 🙂
I really believe in giving small stretching pushes that get Jonathan doing more than he thinks he can and then backing up and letting him master a level. I believe it is good for him to read a little at the upper end of his level each day and everything else is his choice. He is really enjoying Magic Treehouse and Boxcar Children now and not fighting them.