Author Topic: Early Reading Kid  (Read 1171 times)

kenmoremmm

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 717
Early Reading Kid
« on: February 17, 2022, 09:00:35 PM »
My daughter turned 5 in Septmber, and at that point, she basically transitioned fully into reading chapter books. She's able to read them entirely by herself and can figure out words she's never seen before without much trouble. She even knows when to emphasize certain words and it's like she's scanning a line or two ahead of time while processing everything. I don't know what grade level this correlates to (3rd?)

In school (Kindergarten), she's clearly ahead of her classmates. However, she is very reticent to read for her teachers or even to check out chapter books from the library. She has stated that she simply doesn't want to do any of this because she "just doesn't want to". So, obviously there's some emotional component behind this.

The teacher says not to worry about it and that things will come naturally. I tend to agree, but part of me wants to get her over that blockade. She's always been a little bit on the shy side of things and is not the alpha unless she's in a group that she's comfortable with.

I know there's a pride aspect with all of this for me, but that will lead to unnecessary pressure if pushed too far. Further, I know that kids will all eventually even out in the end. But, I also don't want to miss an opportunity for her to take this gift and really capitalize on it. I don't know...

Thoughts?

secondcor521

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5503
  • Age: 54
  • Location: Boise, Idaho
  • Big cattle, no hat.
    • Age of Eon - Overwatch player videos
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2022, 09:35:09 PM »
From someone who is male and was also an early reading kid, some thoughts:

1.  She may already be picking up on the vibe from her schoolmates that it's not cool to be smart, especially a smart girl.  That message is atrocious and damaging.  I think it would be fabulous if she received messaging from her parents that being a smart girl is totally OK and cool and good and something to be appreciated and valued.  Your messaging on this topic will likely win out over her schoolmates when she's an adult.

2.  She's probably smart and would do well in gifted and talented or GATE programs, or afterschool enrichment stuff (music lessons, foreign language, private tutoring, family trips to museums and other cultures) if she's interested and you can support those things.  Around here, GATE starts in second grade and usually involves an IQ test which is best presented to her as just a fun set of puzzles to try.  Check with your local school district.

3.  School can come easy to smart kids, which can result in a lack of work ethic and a fear of failure because they're usually successful.  I would treat her natural ability as a fact in passing and not something praiseworthy in and of itself.  If you instead praise effort (even if the result is unsuccessful at first) and hard work and celebrate results, I think she'll end up as a better balanced person in high school and beyond.  So "Wow, good job reading those five chapter books all by yourself" or "Good effort trying that really hard word" rather than "Gosh you're so smart!"  Smart kids who work hard and try new things tend to do really well.

HTH.  Good luck!

Zikoris

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4536
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Vancouverstachian
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #2 on: February 17, 2022, 10:41:55 PM »
I don't know what it's like for kids these days, but I've been reading pretty voraciously since I was 4, and it was definitely not something I ever would have wanted attention drawn to in school. I'd say it wasn't until I was well into adulthood that I ever became totally open about just how much I read. It would be nice if being a massive bookworm was not seen as strange among kids (and even adults), but, well, it is what it is.

Freedomin5

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6485
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2022, 02:15:13 AM »
Most of the kids at my daughter’s school transitioned to reading chapter books by the end of grade 1. Her school really emphasizes reading at home. Spend time reading fun chapter books with your daughter at bedtime. Make books available at home. Have a bookshelf full of books. They don’t have to be expensive. We have bookshelves in most rooms in our apartment and all of the books were gifted or were purchased used for pennies. We normalize reading at home.

If your daughter is academically ahead, it might make sense to be in a good school district if you’re not already in one. DD goes to a private school where academic inquiry and learning are celebrated. It’s not about being smart or getting good grades, but the school really focuses on being curious about the world, being insightful learners, asking questions, and figuring out how to find answers (where reading is one way to find the answer).

At this age, it’s about exposing her to lots of enriching learning opportunities which doesn’t necessarily have to involve books. Take her to the children’s science center and read the placards describing the exhibits. Read books about farms then take her to a children’s farm. Visit the zoo and read books on animals that pique her interest. It’s not just about reading big books with long words. It’s about active engagement and interaction with knowledge and learning.

Cranky

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3842
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2022, 05:23:29 AM »
We have a family of early readers, so I’m pretty sure there’s some genetic component. Currently, our 5yo grandson is in kindergarten and has been reading independently for probably two years.

The funny thing is that that isn’t something that gets tested or graded on in kindergarten. But it’s clear to his teacher that he can read. There’s plenty to do and he’s having an excellent year, so - it’s good! It’s not actually a competition.

starbuck

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 400
  • Age: 39
  • Location: Small Town Connecticut
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2022, 06:27:57 AM »
My kindergartener is also a strong reader (reading chapter books etc) and is ahead of the rest of his class too. In a nutshell, I would just let it be. Kindergarten isn't only about learning to read (his teacher only discovered his skill by accident) so I don't think there's a benefit to really focusing on it. Sometimes ours gets to leave the classroom to head to the library for different activities when the rest of the class is focusing on reading.

The advice his teacher gave us was to make sure our son keeps up on his writing skills (sounding words out himself and writing them out, etc.) He writes down our grocery lists and project lists and pretend restaurant orders. Because he's a natural reader, he'll have to work at keeping his writing skills up to the same level, because those are very different skills. Just because you can read a word doesn't mean you can spell it at this age. One tool I learned about are called Duet Books, which have two reading parts where reading aloud becomes a joint activity if you want to encourage reading aloud (which I think is a different skill than reading to yourself in your head.) But yea, my advice would be to give her the family job of writing down the grocery list or meal plan, and don't offer to spell words out for her until she does it herself and then talk about any errors.

c-kat

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 162
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2022, 07:36:10 AM »
My kid is in junior kindergarten and is an early reader, but she isn't reading at school.  I think it's a combo of being shy and getting used to being in school.  I'm not worried about it as I think it will work itself out in time.

I would just encourage continued reading at home.

PoutineLover

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1570
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2022, 08:20:56 AM »
I was an early reader and always read a few years above my grade level. My parents took me to the library every week and I picked out as many books as I wanted. The librarian at my school library also encouraged my reading and helped me find new books all the time. I think the best thing to do is encourage her to read, read books together, have lots of books around the house, and see if you can find any allies like a friendly librarian to help encourage her.

StarBright

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3270
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2022, 09:01:16 AM »
I think the school vs. home thing might be fairly common with early readers. I've heard it anecdotally with friends and experienced it with my own kids.

Both of my kids did something similar. My daughter hid her reading ability in kindergarten and then even ended up in remediation in 1st grade - while reading a few levels ahead at home. She loved being in the small book group for struggling readers. I figure it just reinforced skills so I rolled with it (after worrying and being confused of course!).

My son is in 4th this year and still chooses easy books at school but reads middle grade books at home. He's reading easy graphic novels from the school library and working through harder stuff for his evening reading. It is what it is.

My theory is that young children's brains are doing an awful lot in the early years of school: they are learning to learn and they are learning a crap ton of social skills, and they have to keep it together emotionally while stretching themselves in all sorts of ways.

Both of my kids decided to give themselves a break when it came to reading at school. I think it helps them cope with the other stuff. FWIW - my older one has tons of behavioral issues and often ignores school work all together when he is focusing on good behavior. You can't stretch yourself all of the time.

« Last Edit: February 19, 2022, 07:49:27 AM by StarBright »

waltworks

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5653
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2022, 09:52:37 AM »
Don't worry about it. It's great that she reads well. Leave her alone to learn to socialize and have fun.

Keep in mind that being good at reading young means basically nothing, except that she doesn't have a learning disability related to reading. Success and happiness in life depends a lot more on being able to try hard at the things you *aren't* good at right away, so spending a bunch of time praising her/bragging about her reading probably isn't doing a service to her in the long run.

-W

zolotiyeruki

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5603
  • Location: State: Denial
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2022, 10:08:03 AM »
From someone who is male and was also an early reading kid, some thoughts:

1.  She may already be picking up on the vibe from her schoolmates that it's not cool to be smart, especially a smart girl.  That message is atrocious and damaging.  I think it would be fabulous if she received messaging from her parents that being a smart girl is totally OK and cool and good and something to be appreciated and valued.  Your messaging on this topic will likely win out over her schoolmates when she's an adult.

2.  She's probably smart and would do well in gifted and talented or GATE programs, or afterschool enrichment stuff (music lessons, foreign language, private tutoring, family trips to museums and other cultures) if she's interested and you can support those things.  Around here, GATE starts in second grade and usually involves an IQ test which is best presented to her as just a fun set of puzzles to try.  Check with your local school district.

3.  School can come easy to smart kids, which can result in a lack of work ethic and a fear of failure because they're usually successful.  I would treat her natural ability as a fact in passing and not something praiseworthy in and of itself.  If you instead praise effort (even if the result is unsuccessful at first) and hard work and celebrate results, I think she'll end up as a better balanced person in high school and beyond.  So "Wow, good job reading those five chapter books all by yourself" or "Good effort trying that really hard word" rather than "Gosh you're so smart!"  Smart kids who work hard and try new things tend to do really well.
As a parent of several early readers, and having been an early reader/bright student as a kid, I can only say READ secondcor521's POST SEVERAL TIMES.

Your daughter knows, or will figure out, that she's ahead of their peers.  It can be a problem socially at times.  That goes with the territory.  There is nothing wrong with you acknowledging her intelligence and celebrating it, but you can't afford to stop there.  Genius is nothing without hard work, and since school is likely to be easy for her, it falls to you, as a parent, to come up with things that will challenge her and teach her the value of effort and persistence.

Now, she's 5, so I wouldn't plop her down in front of a copy of Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto, but you can make sure she has chores that stretch her a little bit.  Teach the satisfaction that comes from a job well done ("wow, look how clean your bedroom looks now!").  When she's ready, a musical instrument would be fantastic.  But also get her involved in manual labor.  Involve her in projects around the house, so she learns new skills and learns to not be afraid of learning new skills, even if it's something as simple as changing out a roll of toilet paper or a light bulb.

Nurture the love of learning.  If she asks a question about something, often the best answer is "I don't know--let's go find out!" even if you already know the answer.  Nurture the love of reading.  My wife still reads to all of our kids, from the 7-year-old all the way up to our junior, and they all love it, even if they won't always admit it.  Your daughter is 5, so don't worry about formal learning.  Kids that age learn best by reading, exploring, and playing.

In short, work on building her character so that she can work, persist, investigate, and try new things.

DaMa

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 915
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2022, 10:42:53 AM »
I was an early reader, genius, and socially challenged student.  I want to second what starbuck wrote about writing.  I've been a voracious reader my entire life, but I hate writing.  I can do it well enough -- spelling, grammar, paragraph structure, etc. -- but I don't like it.  I wish someone had encouraged me to write more as a young child -- like a journal or stories.

Also what secondcor521 wrote.  That is how I wish my childhood had been, but I had very disengaged parents.

Be alert for potential bullying. 

Cranky

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3842
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2022, 11:29:18 AM »
Oh! That’s what has been outstanding this year! The little has just jumped into writing.

Last August he could trace a few wobbly letters, but he didn’t like it. In the first month of kindergarten we saw a HUGE improvement, and the he wanted to write *everything*. He makes lists and draws maps of imaginary countries and writes stories and letters to relatives and he made a newspaper. It’s been amazing!

reeshau

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2510
  • Location: Houston, TX
  • Former locations: Detroit, Indianapolis, Dublin
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2022, 12:28:40 PM »
Just sharing my story:

DS has been reading for some years.  Similar situation in kindergarten last year:  began the year far ahead of end-of-year goals.  The teacher was supportive, but had 21 others to work with, too, so not a lot of time.  The school's emphasis was on making sure the children are well-rounded, so writing, numbers, etc.  That is a good first priority, but not enough.  Like others, the school does achievement testing 100% in 2nd grade, and begins tracks then.  After some reluctance by the teacher and asst. principal, who is in charge of G&T, we got him tested in kindergarten.  Turns out, there were 3 other families in a similar situation to us, who had been pushing for some action.  Sharp DS remembered the names of the other 3 kids, and with a little PTA directory  magic, I reached out to them.  Firat, I was just looking to talk, and to share our experience--possibly work with the school together.  But the kids get along, too, and they enjoy having friends they can do their "different" things with: jigsaw puzzles, checkers and chess, book exchange, etc.  All intermixed with playing on the playground, museum outings, etc.

This year, the school did begin a 1/week pullout class for them.  They are supposed to also seat them in the same class, so they can work together, but that didn't happen.  Next year we will make sure.

OP, the details will depend on your daughter, and you will have to discover them.  But whatever you do, keep encouraging her and advocating for her with the school.  They have had a he'll of a couple years, so try to be patient.  But they also are attuned to standard / average achievement, so also need your support to do more.  If you are lucky, you will get teachers that respond to that challenge.  If not, there is plenty you can do at home to really further her education.

charis

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3162
Re: Early Reading Kid
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2022, 12:57:57 PM »
I have a child like that.  Lots of kids are shy about reading in school for different reasons. I wouldn't worry about it in kindergarten and she'll probably get over it. But keep an eye on the situation and raise it during p/t meetings.  They should be able to put her in a small reading group of advanced readers, there's usually one or two others that can read well in kindergarten.  Otherwise keep her reading at her level at home and just encourage her.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!