Comments on: a little reading alchemy

By: patricia

patricia — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:43:53 +0000

Oh, Carrie, thanks for taking the time to write back and tell me that. The reading process is an unfolding–I’m so glad you’re appreciating it. When you take that perspective, you notice how smart your child really is, rather than fixating on some wrongheaded idea that he’s not smart enough.

By: Carrie Pomeroy

Carrie Pomeroy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:24:51 +0000

Today at the store he spontaneously sounded out the “large” on an egg carton and “coffee” on a Starbuck sign. It was so much fun to see him cracking the code of those words on his own, for his own enjoyment. Your post is helping me just enjoy watching the reading process slowly unfold instead of feeling I have to nudge it along or push it forward.

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:01:23 +0000

You know, someday when Finn is sitting around inhaling books, you’ll laugh at yourself for having worried. But it’s hard to be patient, especially with your first child, especially with questions from inquisitive relatives. The main thing to hold on to is Finn’s “huge love of books”. Try not to let your anxieties take that away from him. That love is what will eventually get him reading on his own.

And when relatives ask, say something like, “Oh this kid loves books! He’s listened to books like ______ and _________! (Fill in some impressive read-alouds.) He likes listening more than reading on his own, but he’s getting there…” In other words, focus on his strengths as a literate person, rather than his perceived weaknesses. People forget that being a lover of books and having a rich vocabulary have as much to do with literacy as reading the words yourself.

Are you back from your trip?

By: Tara Reese

Tara Reese — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:39:23 +0000

Patricia, I feel like you wrote this post for me. As Finn approaches seven, with a huge love of books and zero interest in reading, I needed to be reminded to stop worrying. I feel like once he’s reading, my homeschooling confidence will be unstoppable. But now, with every other relative asking about it, oh, it stings. Your words of optimism are just so helpful. Thank you! (and let’s get together!)

By: patricia

patricia — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:57:17 +0000

I do like to hear that I’m making fellow mothers’ shoulders drop!

I think it’s been much easier to relax with Mr. T because he’s my third; I would have been more anxious if he were my first. I was lucky enough to have a first child who is a very visual learner, and who read early. The other two came to reading more slowly–but they did come to it eventually.

Keep up that confidence and patience–B is doing lots of fantastic early reading activities. He’ll get there!

By: Carrie Pomeroy

Carrie Pomeroy — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:48:44 +0000

Reading this made my shoulders drop about two inches! As my boy approaches 7, I have been feeling antsy about him not reading. He sounds very similar to Mr. T–loves to have books read to him, listening to books on tape, and picking out words he does know in the world around him. He makes up stories constantly with his Legos and has a great sense of plot. But he’s shown no interest in actually learning to read books. Hearing your story helps give me the confidence and patience to give things time.

Thank you! And regards to your son for finding his way into an exciting new world.

By: patricia

patricia — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:38:32 +0000

Hi Heather! Thanks so much for stopping by, and taking the time to leave a comment. Now I’m off to visit your blog…

By: patricia

patricia — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:37:14 +0000

Yep, you and I go through so many things at the same time. Lulu isn’t generally interested in having me read either–and it does feel like a loss! Often, though, I’ll start reading something to Mr. T, and she’ll just come by and “eavesdrop”.

My new plan for sharing literature with her is to start listening to some classics together via audiobook. (Most of our audiobooks in the car are directed at Mr. T these days, since he’s the one kid usually stuck in the car delivering the other two around!) I think she’d love some Jane Austen: she can draw while we listen, I can knit. The older two kids and I did that with To Kill A Mockingbird a few years back, and it prompted a lot of fabulous discussion…

By: patricia

patricia — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:31:01 +0000

And thanks for putting the blog together! It’s led so many new readers my way, which has been a thrill–plus I’ve enjoyed every new post. Keep it coming!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:46:06 +0000

What a sweet post! I can’t wait till my sweet boy will sit down and read. I found you via my friend Helen over at Homeschool.style.bytes. We co-lead our homeschool group, it’s always nice to find nice homeschool blogs out there.