Two days ago, when it was nice outside and Sasha was playing on her swing set, I grabbed the book that I used to teach Cassie how to read, and started working on it with Sasha.
I should explain. Many years ago, when Cassie was four, I grabbed the same book and started to teach her phonics. Back then, in the early 90s, phonics were still not really the primary method of reading instruction. I believed so strongly in phonics that I took it upon myself to teach her. And thank goodness I did. Her kindergarten and first grade classes were still using methods of reading instruction that make me cringe (memorization, NOT phonics. No wonder we have so many problems with dyslexia!).
A strong reader right before her fifth birthday, Cassie was definitely a reading success. She has been a perfect speller, and a grammar fiend her entire life. When she was five, I could hand her a newspaper and have her read aloud any article to me, without fear that she'd encounter words that she couldn't pronounce. She may not have comprehended an article about economic implications of middle east sanctions, but it sure sounded cool when she read it out loud. I have video of her, at age 4, writing letters to people by herself, and sounding out words so that she could spell them. It was awesome.
Since I have the experience of teaching a child to read, I realized back then that if I had more children, I could start the process sooner. I will be better at it the second time around. I have a few benchmarks of readiness and Sasha has passed my prerequisites (a few games we play). So it's time. No pressure though. If there is any problems, I will gladly put this project off for a break.
But it's been fun! And Sasha is honestly catching on! She read her first word, phonetically today. It was the word "am". It's a start. She is able to phonetically identify the letters M, A, and S. The lessons themselves are very tiny micro-lessons. Barely 5-7 minutes each, one per day, and only done when we're both in a good mood and having fun with something else (like on the swing set!). I am flexible and patient, so if I encounter any resistance, I just stop. Toddler attention spans are very short. So far, she enjoys her lessons, and we catch her repeating her phonics to herself very quietly when she's playing by herself.
Children's minds are amazing little sponges and will absorb what they are taught. We'll see how it goes.
My resources:
Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is the book I'm using today
Why Johnny Can't Read: And What You Can Do about It Good book for it's time and has a reading primer to teach reading at the end of it. Phonics are more accepted today than a decade or two ago, so the first half of the book can be skipped.
Both books might be "outdated" but they worked for me in the 90s with my first child and I stick with what I know.
