Reading

I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to Walker read to me this morning. He has been making amazing progress lately. There is truth to each child having an individual "readiness switch". Often we attempt to flip that switch too early which only adds to everyone's frustration. I know, I did it. I had this crazy idea that I needed to "prove" something to all the nay sayers because I home school. I pushed so many concepts when he just wasn't ready. The thing that worked mostly on his path to reading was the fact that I read ALOUD to him. Not just bedtime stories and picture books. Literature such as The Little House series, Chronicles of Narnia, the entire Wizard of Oz series, we have read together over and over. He has developed a love for books and quality stories. Snuggled on my lap, looking at the pages whether there would be illustrations or not - really listening to the words and the story, forming his own images in his head, that's what worked most. He has developed a strong vocabulary and appreciation of the written word to convey any message or thought. I could kick myself for the time lost crying over phonetic work books. He's a sight reader - I should have picked up on that and spent more time reading.

All that matters now is Mom had a learning experience. PAY ATTENTION to what works for your child. Don't worry about what others in your family think, stop comparing and trying to prove that you as Mom are perfectly capable of teaching at home. You are - and you do.

And Walker did too, he learned to READ.