My DS9 (two grade skips) and DD4 (about to skip K) both thrived on phonics, albeit at much younger ages than most other kids. DS7, alternatively, seemed to be struggling with reading when he was 6, in spite of reading words when he was a little less than 4.
Then, just like hkc75 did, I gave him a Magic Tree House book on whim one evening. He started reading it: I was shocked. When he finished later that week (he was reading it aloud to me), we moved to a chapter book a grade level higher, and the effort required to read it was about the same as what was required for Magic Tree House. Trippy.
This was about 6 months ago and the Magic Tree House books are very easy for him now. I also see him reading other things on his own, something he never used to do.
He spoke earlier than his brother and his sentences were more complex at an earlier age. People have always noticed his vocabulary, and he was talking in page-length paragraphs when he was 2. He'd get started describing something and...there'd be no stopping him.
Val
