Learning to Read

All the activities and practice I used to plan for Bear as the beginning of him

learning to read has changed into completing his This Bear Can Read packs, and reading books!

Honestly, I had so many workbooks and activities planned thinking I needed to teach every step, but that's my school-educated brain kicking in thinking that it had to be "taught". When in actual fact, the best way to learn to read is by reading!

We have been borrowing books from the library that follow the reading schemes used in school, meaning that they are abilty-appropriate to Bear's phonic knowledge. We are reading through these together, and whenever we come across something that Bear doesn't know or understand, we take a second for me to look at the sounds and to talk about how they differ to normal and I give Bear a few other examples using the new sound. Then we continue reading and with the books being repetitive, he has plenty of opportunity to read and practice the sound in the book.

More often than not, the next time he comes across the sound, he remembers, if not, we just do the same process. i have kept the pressure off and just let him enjoy books the way they are meant to be enjoyed. Reading is one of my favourite hobbies, and that has passed down to both of my boys already - they love books. I have no intention of changing that by forcing them to read when they're not ready.

I am now seeing Bear attempt to read words at random, for example, while out shopping, reading worksheets himself, looking through books and, reading signs when we're out walking. He can put into practice the sounds I know that he's come across before and his reading is coming on so quickly. I'm so proud of him.

Once he gets the hang of it there's going to be no stopping him because he already loves books, when he has the ability to read them too I have no doubt that he will devour books just like I do. More than once recently, I have found him with his brother, reading to him, whether it be reciting books he already knows, making up stories with him from the pictures, or attempting to read some picture books that they know the storyline to but don't remember the words.

My little bookworms <3

Mama Bear x