Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Something Clicked


By the end of preschool Kylie was able to read simple words and books and so I thought for sure by the end of Kindergarten she would be reading really well. She has improved a lot but she just never really had the desire to read. She was always good about practicing her reading group book through out the week, but she never wanted to even try reading anything else. She would get emberassed and frustrated if she didn't know a word and would just give up. I didn't want to push it because I wanted her to learn to enjoy reading and not dread it, but I always wondered if and when something would click. Something did click and it seems like it happened overnight. On Saturday we were out and she started reading all the street signs and store names and got so excited with each new word that she could read. When we got home she asked if she could read books while she fell asleep, she picked out a stash of books and a little flashlight, then for like an hour I could hear her up there reading each word and doing such a great job sounding out the words that she didn't know. It was music to my ears. Normally she wouldn't attempt a book that she hadn't heard before, but for the first time she read the book "Biscuit Goes to School" all by herself. I couldn't help but stand outside her door and eavesdrop with a huge smile on my face. She's done the same thing every night and I hope her excitement and love of reading doesn't die out!


PS-the Spalding phonogram program at her school is great and all, but there is one thing that makes me laugh. They teach them that "si" says "sh" (like in 'session'), so it always catches me off guard when she is reading the word "sit" and it comes out as "shi..."

11 comments:

Shanen said...

That is GREAT, I am sure you will have a post later on with a picture of Kylie reading books to Jayden. Those will be sweet pictures of the kids.

Kelly said...

That Spalding phonogram comment made me laugh out loud! Go Kylie!

Jodee said...

Go Kylie, yay for reading! I think that was my proudest mommy moment too, there isn't much better than hearing your little one read on their own! Madison loves to read and I just hope she stays that way! I wasn't a book lover until college so I didn't have much hope for my kids, luckily she takes after her smarty pants daddy!

kristina said...

Gotta love it when they get it! Loved the phonogram sounding out part - I too had to laugh out loud!!

Julie said...

That is so great!!! The phonograms make such a huge difference...I am excited for Kylie...Noelle is the same, she gets really excited sometimes and other times gets discouraged easily...whenever I tell her to sound it out she does it perfectly!! I am amazed at how much they learned this year!! That is so funny about her accidental slip up!! I would die laughing!!

Janessa said...

How funny, Jamie - we were just talking about this on the phone the other day. And to think you were worried about when the "click" would happen. It is a very proud moment when they really get the whole reading thing. I love that picture!

Way to go Kylie! One more milestone to check off the list. Sounds like you're ready to take on first grade. You'll do awesome and have so much fun (just ask Abby).

Nichols Family said...

Wow...YOU HAVE BEEN BUSY! Congratulations on having a boy! Yeah! They'll be such good buddies (I hope!) Yeah, did you see that comment on my blog from a secret admirer, you married woman you? Um...so you thought you were safe going private...now you're just getting stalked on MY blog! Ha ha! :)

Chelsea said...

At first I thought I clicked on the wrong blog! Cute new layout...but who is that girl with your husband & kids in the header? Now I can't recognize HER! I am so happy Kylie is loving reading. I bet that is an awesome feeling to watch your child develop a love for reading! Thanks for your help today with Brayden and with me!

MommyRohner said...

Yea!! I hope she always loves to read.

Trish said...

Time for a celebration! I love, love, love when that moment comes and they just get it. And I love what you said about the "si" phonogram. None of my kids ever did that, that cracks me up!

From my blog, you can visit a blog for Kathy. She had a fun Dr. Seuss dinner this week. It might be a fun way for your family to celebrate this big step in reading!

Alisa Larson said...

That's so cool she's enjoying reading. I loved reading as a girl. You should get her into the reading club at the library. You get prizes for reading so many books, etc. I always loved it during the summers when I was a kid and I'm sure my mom loved that I would read so much!