How do we teach precious DS1 to read?

[BirdFromDaNorf]

I know on some level I am being PFB about this but he was 4 in Feb 2011, and just isn't interested in learning letters or putting them together. He loves us reading books to him, and with him, and he joins in, but isn't interested in learning to read. He's writing his name, under duress and would rather do colouring. So many other people that we know in his class for reception can already do some basic reading, so any tips / advice gratefully received...

the "e" is a short neutral sound (schwa) children happily accept it

Its great that you want to teach him and are enthusiastic and tbh you are doing all the right things by reading to him and engendering a love of books is far more important. I would leave the teaching to the teachers though unless you know all the phonics sounds/signs and the order to do them in as otherwise it can be more detrimental and he may start to hate books and reading. You can get phonics dvds but unless he is interested in it then he won't watch them!
I say just keep reading to him, follow the wordas with your fingers and ask questions about the story i.e. how do you think x felt when this happened, why did this make that happen iyswim. Understanding is far more important than decoding and reading at this age.
Also his social and basic skills i.e. dressing himself after PE, sharing etc are much more im portant skills to work on. (Not saying you haven't btw). Boys are often more difficult to engage with reading and the fact he enjoys it is a credit to you

I would sing the jolly phonics songs with him, concentrating on the actions. My ds2's preschool does this and he is just about starting to get interested. Apart from that, encourage him with storytelling (every so often when reading to him ask him what comes next or what is happening in the picture). Honestly though, I wouldn't stress about it. There are bound tobe children in the class who can read, write and add up, but it will all even out in the end!

Please enjoy the holiday and dont worry about it is the bottom line. It might be a lovely day tomorrow so get out and enjoy it - don't make him sit there writing his name when he doesnt want to - he's going to have literally years of that to come...

Squishycinnamon; "a superb reader the school are having problems keeping up with"!!!!
Really???
A p**s poor school then!