I can't even believe I'm going to post these words right now. How is it possible? He's only 3!
David is learning to read!
I am so excited for him. It happened on accident. I had no intention of teaching him so soon, but his thirst for knowledge and learning has sparked this new adventure in our lives. He's been able to recognize all the letters for months now, so naturally this is the next step.
About a week ago, on the way to the library, we were approaching a STOP sign. David asked me why I was slowing down. I pointed to the sign and said, "Do you see the letters on that sign? S.T.O.P. Do you know what that spells?" Because he knew it was a STOP sign he deduced that it said, "Stop." "That's right!", I said. "S.T.O.P. spells stop."
Fast forward a few days later we were taking a walk/bike ride in our neighborhood. As we came to one of the STOP signs David said, "Look Mama, S.T.O.P., stop." I think I scared him with my excitement. My heart felt so happy that it might burst with pride for my little boy.
That night his book of choice happened to be "Go, Dog, Go!". In which the word "Stop" appears several times. As I read I would point to it and David would read "Stop". Now, I know that he knows that particular book by heart, so he was just reciting it. But, when you think about it, that's how we learn to read. Someone tells you that's what a word looks like and you remember it.
Since last week, through sounding out each letter, he has learned the words "Go", "Dog", and "Red" [all in the same book].
I'm thinking we'll add about one new word a week, no pressure. I want it to be fun and something he enjoys. I'm just amazed that my baby boy who was only 6 lbs. when he was born [which feels like yesterday] is now learning to READ!! Unbelievable.
