Ok so here's my take on it. I haven't read the other posts yet. I am a former Special Education teacher. Fast forward a few years later and I had a two year old begging me to teach him to read. I was like, "No, you'll learn in Kindergarten." For six months straight, he obsessed over letters and books and begged me to teach him.
Met a wonderful mother of a son who is gifted, entered K at a 3rd grade self taught reading level. She said to me, "You can't stop that train, might as well get on board."
So I did, told him the sounds whenever he asked. A few days later, he told me he knew them all, and sure enough he did. So I said, "Ok I'll teach you to read." Here and there, he'd ask me to teach him, so I would. He was SIGNIFICANTLY happier.
My now friend's son, although read at a 3rd grade level, does have holes in his reading ability due to being self taught.
I thought about this thoroughly and I think if your child is begging to learn to read, they are ready. If you start to teach them how to blend the sounds and they aren't interested then you have your answer, they weren't ready-on that day atleast. When they know the sounds and hear you sound out words, usually they will try start reading themselves-good indicator that they are ready for direct instruction. BOB books are perfect for this time or any first readers. I just bought another box set for my son at COSTCO. I feel bad that I didn't "listen" to him before when he was asking me. For the first few months, I would feel like I was just contributing to his future boredom in school. But the truth is, I couldn't stop it and still can't. He's happier reading.
Last edited by GGG; 09/08/14 09:47 PM.
