My dd was practically born with a book in her hand. She LOVED reading and was reading on a college level when she was in 3rd grade. My son actually taught himself to read using the computer and DVD subtitles when he was about 2yrs old. So I was shocked that he didn't want to read anything that wasn't computer game instructions!
It was like pulling teeth to get Chris to read back then. I tried covering up most of the page so he could only see a line at a time. He knew words that were well beyond his years but he just didn't want to read. Then we found a series of books that were well below his reading level, but that he really thought were fun! I allowed him to read them to his heart's content because I was sure he would blossom as a reader if I could just get him to understand how much fun reading really was.
It worked wonders! He is now reading things much higher than his grade level IN HIS SPARE TIME and loving it! He just finished reading a book that is almost 400 pages and is asking for more! I always knew that reading equals a larger vocabulary, but you know what else? I noticed that his spelling has improved dramatically as well! In fact, I have noticed that his ability to describe things and to understand things has also drastically increased.
Get your kids into reading even if they don't like reading. Find something they do--even if you don't. That's another reason to check out Foot in Mouth Man. My 10 y/o son loves reading FIMM! If you don't know FIMM, he's the Art of Eloquence mascot and resident MIScommunicator. Each month is a funny story many kids love to read! Reading helps communication and communication skills are powerful!
Reading helps communication
My dd was practically born with a book in her hand. She LOVED reading and was reading on a college level when she was in 3rd grade. My son actually taught himself to read using the computer and DVD subtitles when he was about 2yrs old. So I was shocked that he didn't want to read anything that wasn't computer game instructions!
It was like pulling teeth to get Chris to read back then. I tried covering up most of the page so he could only see a line at a time. He knew words that were well beyond his years but he just didn't want to read. Then we found a series of books that were well below his reading level, but that he really thought were fun! I allowed him to read them to his heart's content because I was sure he would blossom as a reader if I could just get him to understand how much fun reading really was.
It worked wonders! He is now reading things much higher than his grade level IN HIS SPARE TIME and loving it! He just finished reading a book that is almost 400 pages and is asking for more! I always knew that reading equals a larger vocabulary, but you know what else? I noticed that his spelling has improved dramatically as well! In fact, I have noticed that his ability to describe things and to understand things has also drastically increased.
Get your kids into reading even if they don't like reading. Find something they do--even if you don't. That's another reason to check out Foot in Mouth Man. My 10 y/o son loves reading FIMM! If you don't know FIMM, he's the Art of Eloquence mascot and resident MIScommunicator. Each month is a funny story many kids love to read! Reading helps communication and communication skills are powerful!
5 comments
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One of my children has improved in those areas as well since reading more. Good post.
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Yay! My dd always read and always was a great speller. My son was different but I never put the spelling and the reading together until his recent spelling test.
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I think I was born with a book in my lap too JoJo – I’ve always loved to read – and journal! My kids sadly take after their Father – who only reads when he HAS to. ?
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Yay books! I think I fall into the same category as Kelsey. I was taught to read at age four, and by age nine or ten Louisa May Alcott was my favorite author. :)
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Wow, JoJo, I can’t believe your son was reading at age 2!
Sounds like you had some wisdom in all this. Glad he enjoys reading now:-)