Almost a year ago I posted that Cassie read Green Eggs and Ham to me all by herself.
I thought that was it, I thought she was really reading.
Well it was just one more step, one more connection.
Over the past few months I have noticed her actually reading words that she sees while we are out. More recently she has been reading words from the online games that she plays.
Just the other day we went to the library, she wanted to check out some animal books. She wants to be a vet when she grows up, she loves animals and wants to take care of them.
We got in the van she opened up a book and read a whole sentence. She was so excited she couldn't contain herself.
As soon as we got home she ran in the house to read it to daddy too.
She keeps asking me to come to her room because she wants to read. She is doing really well, she gets stumped on words but that is normal.
She is actually reading words she didn't know, sounding out, guessing, figuring it out, she is trying.
It seemed like she just didn't want to try awhile back, I didn't force it, I just told her what it said when she asked me to read something to her.
She is so happy and I am thrilled.
She told me that she loves to read now but she didn't used to. I think it's because it was too hard before and now it's getting easier :)
WOOHOO CASSIE!!!!!
I will say it once again, you can't force reading and you really can't *teach* it.
The person has to have the connections and when it clicks, it clicks. Some kids take longer than others, it's ok, it's not a race. Forcing it is what causes learning disabilities and labels and feelings of inadequacy.
She is the last of my 4 to read and she isn't the youngest. Jared has been reading since he was 5, Kieran also, Brennan at age 9 and Cassie is 9 1/2.
Just like they all walked and talked in their time frame, they read when they are ready, without force, coersion and meaningless lessons.
10 comments:
So true. I love love love Dr. Seuss.....my 6 year old can "read" go! dogs! go! Of course it helps when he can see what color the tree is and what color the dog is!!! Green Eggs is classic....it was my oldest's first read too....and tonight I caught him reading the A-TO-Z Mystery that I'm to read them at bedtime.....he doesn't really think he can read yet so I'm waiting for the big breakthrough -he's almost 8, I'm happy I don't have to think about it for awhile now....I was starting to wonder...and I have to TRUST trust trust....that this is going to work.....ok I'll go now. Longer comment than I meant.
It's great that your daughter has "discovered" the joy of reading in her own time, instead of having had it taken away by forced lessons,etc.
Bravo, Stephanie. ;)
Way to go, Cassie! Congratulations!
Kandy
Yeah Cassie!!!
I tried to explain that not *teaching* kids to read thing and got the dumbest look, like I had three heads. Oh, well.
Way to go, Cassie! It was only with my youngest that I understood all that you shared here. It's a beautiful thing, isn't it?
Krystal
Awesome Cassie!!!
YAY Cassie! Congratulations on your reading quest. The way took to reading seems to be very similar to the way my son took to reading. It all clicked for my son when we decided to let him use the remote control for the TV. He quickly found the value to being able to read those words on the menu versus having to go through the hundreds of channels to find what he wanted to watch. It seemed to happen overnight!
Good for Cassie! I still remember the thrill of "I can read!" ; )
Emma was reading at 4 1/2, and Anna read some at about 5 1/2, which is about the time I started learning about unschooling, so when she took her time starting reading I let her go as she wanted....meaning lots and lots and lots of comic books, and Junie B. Jones for about five years. When she was 10 she picked up Little House on the Prairie and read it, then went on to On the Banks of Plum Creek, but she bogged down in them when Jack died in the next one and hasn't read any more in them since.
I am SO glad I *discovered* unschooling when I did, because she had, even with no pressure, lots of signs of dyslexia....if she'd been in school, I shudder to think! As it is now the teachers and students comment on her reading abilities all the time...she is so proud of being recognized as the best reader in her class. ; ) (and she isn't the least bit shy about pronouncing long words for the other kids, either. lol)
Congrats to Cassie and I LOVE that she is developing a love for reading because she has the FREEDOM to do so!! Stephanie, what a wonderful gift you are giving your children.
This part jumped off the page to me: "Forcing it is what causes learning disabilities and labels and feelings of inadequacy." That is SO very true and what a powerful statement!
I'm so glad you posted this! My 10 year old son has just started "wanting" to read to me and asking how to spell words. He has signs of dyslexia and I have been worried about him. I am very new to unschooling so this post was very encouraging.
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