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Reading

5 replies

LissyD · 23/05/2008 19:17

OK, so today i spent some time with Marianne and the letter "m", just drawing it with crayon and letting her scribble over it whilst saying "mmmmmmmmm" and letting her copy me, then telling her all the words I could think of beginning with m and letting her watch me write some of them down, spelling them out. She seemed interested all the way though, and by the end was pointing at the letter and saying "mmmmmm" (although I didn't test what she did if pointing at a different letter, so I'm not exactly getting excited, although at least she realises that scribbles on paper mean something) She loves books, and likes to pretend to read the guardian, so I reckon its time to start introducing these basic ideas, both me and nick were reading at the age of 2, and shes one and a couple of months now, so surely shes ready? I'm just a bit worried because my friend is an actual primary school teacher and she said that it's too early and that she didn't even enjoy reading as a child, which seems odd to me, but then i am probably a little bit odd where reading is concerned as I'm an english student.

Anyway, my question is, were you old enough to remember learning to read and did you find it fun? I don't remember not being able to read at all and its been nothing but a benefit to me throughout my life, but I remember some people not being confident readers even in high school, and some adults can't follow a broadsheet article, so, surely as long as I make sure not to put any pressure on, reading early can only be a good thing, can't it?

I realise I've rambled a bit, sorry

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
horace · 23/05/2008 19:34

sounds far too early IMO, but as long as your both having fun!

Habbibu · 23/05/2008 19:57

Best thing you can do for her reading, I reckon, is to read her lots of stories, let her see you enjoying reading, and that'll do. Don't think there's any evidence to show that early reading makes any difference to later abilities. FWIW, and this is purely anecdotal, I refused point blank to even contemplate reading until after I went to school aged 5. Still managed to get a PhD in English!

tigermeow · 23/05/2008 21:22

It sounds very early. She will learn to read when she is ready. The best things you can do is follow her lead and in the mean time, instill a love of books in her. Reading at 2 is highly unusual.
Letters are taught in some Nursery classes, again in Reception and again in Year 1. Plenty of time.

Romy7 · 23/05/2008 21:36

I went away on a girly weekend whe DD1 was 18 months and when I got back DH proudly announced he'd taught her the alphabet. I have no idea whether they did nothing else for the whole weekend, or whether she picked it up really clearly, but he had all the letters over the floor and was calling them at random and she'd find it, hold it up and repeat the sound. Didn't know whether to laugh or cry but they had obviously had a lovely time. Not sure I'd go for such targeted stuff myself but we've always done lots and lots of reading stories and having books around. (nb - he isn't left alone with the children any more) It hasn't actually caused any problems you understand, just that there's a lack of suitable reading material for 7 year olds when they've exhausted the free-reading section in the infants, and I haven't worked out where to send her now that the Harry Potter's are all out of the way...
Oh, and (proud mummy moment) my girl's first view of a macdonalds was accompanied by a squealed 'look! a big yellow m for mummy!' ah, those were the days....
so, yes, it's possible to get her to read soonish, but wouldn't you rather be feeding the ducks? (that's d for duck, quack quack), plenty of ways to introduce sound and rhythm and all that jazz without pushing it... it depends... personally I'd leave it for another couple of years... although actually, I tried that with the next two and they taught themselves by listening to her... just give her loads of books and pictures to look at and see what happens...

bossybritches · 23/05/2008 21:43

Spot on romy7-you just saved me a long post!!

A love of books is indeed a gift & as a bookworm family I'm all for it too but it has to be fun.

Why not comment on letters you see in the everyday world that are like her name or your name.

ie "look mummy...a Sophie a Daddy & 2 Annas!!" from my 2.5 year old........ASDA!!

If you let her see the words as you are reading she will learn to read IF & when she is ready, but if you start formally teaching them too young they may lose interest before school. Also we have been told it can make difficult for them in reception if they have learnt a different way of recognising letters & doing emergent writing to their classmates they get confused with different styles.

Have fun & enjoy her she'll only be a baby once!

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