Question I'm pondering: teaching a kindergartner to read

[Guest guest]

Our state is pushing kindergartners to read. My 7 year old was

probably reading on a 2nd grade level at the end of her kindergarten

year.

Now, Alyssa is in kindergarten. I don't believe she is hyperlexic.

She can recognize a few sight words, though. I have her in a

general ed classroom (she has a para), and I put her there for the

good social, play, and language modeling she would get.

I'm not concerned that she learn to read. There are studies that

show that when kids learn to read before the age of 8, they are not

good comprehenders later. Kids who learn to read around the age of

8 are better readers in the long term because of comprehension

skills. I heard Carla Hannaford PhD (author of " Smart Moves " ) say

that only the countries descended from the UK want their kids to

read so early in life. Most of the world's readers don't start

until 8 or 9 years.

But Sondra's words yesterday have me wondering. Sondra, you talked

about words on paper opening up communication for you, how you can

play with written words and all.

SHOULD I be seeking ways to help Alyssa learn to read so early?

Will it open a window for her, a way around the auditory processing

difficulties? Or should I go with my original plan and let it

happen whenever it happens? I always figured she'd read when she is

ready. Now, I'm wondering if helping her to read would be an

advantage for her?

Any thoughts?

[Guest guest]

I have not read any of the studies you have showing that later

reading is better. It's been my very limited experience that kids

will read when they have the cognitive ability and that trying to

force it regardless of age, ain't gonna happen. I've seen kids at

's school pick up reading very early and some struggle, both

with the same teaching (of course, homelife is another story). There

was a little boy in 's kindergarten whose family is from

Singapore, he came into K reading on a 3rd grade level. I was later

told " families from that region learn very early " .

What I'm doing, after going to a Kluth's seminar, is taking

Allie's absolute favorite things and teaching her to read from

there. Right now we have spelling words that are " Allie, (her

man from 4 yr old room), Dora, and Boots. " We practice writing them

and spelling them out loud when they aren't in sight. I'm gonna move

on to some new ones pretty soon. Last year when she was 4 she could

pull the days of wk and months of year out of a card pile from

randomly asking, so she's definitely on the hyperlexic side.

I figure focusing on her interests will help her have better

comprehension and as she catches on to the process we can add in

more abstract words for her. TN is also pushing reading in K. I wish

they pushed play time as hard as all the gibberish they're beginning

to do.

Debi

[Guest guest]

Learning to read can open a lot of windows for autistic (and non-

autistic) kids because it is all visual. I was a very early reader

(self taught) and it has been tremndoulsy helpful for me because I

have a problem with auditory processing. I don't always hear all of

what is said, or comprehend it if I do. But if I see it written, I

can understand and remember it. I am a very visual learner. I

remember reading here I think about not understanding the difference

between similar sounding words until seeing them written (Sonda

maybe?) I feel that way too. I always write everything down. I carry

a little notebook everywhere, or I would never remember things.

Don't push her if she's struggling, but if she is showing an

interest, or doesn't mind being shown words, you an certainly help

her along.

Most of those studies about early reading just say that it isn't any

more helpful later in life, I've heard nothing about it being

detrimental. It was very helpful to read for me, and I continue to

have excellent reading and comprehension.

Amnesty

>

> Our state is pushing kindergartners to read. My 7 year old was

> probably reading on a 2nd grade level at the end of her

kindergarten

> year.

>

> Now, Alyssa is in kindergarten. I don't believe she is

hyperlexic.

> She can recognize a few sight words, though. I have her in a

> general ed classroom (she has a para), and I put her there for the

> good social, play, and language modeling she would get.

>

> I'm not concerned that she learn to read. There are studies that

> show that when kids learn to read before the age of 8, they are

not

> good comprehenders later. Kids who learn to read around the age

of

> 8 are better readers in the long term because of comprehension

> skills. I heard Carla Hannaford PhD (author of " Smart Moves " ) say

> that only the countries descended from the UK want their kids to

> read so early in life. Most of the world's readers don't start

> until 8 or 9 years.

>

> But Sondra's words yesterday have me wondering. Sondra, you

talked

> about words on paper opening up communication for you, how you can

> play with written words and all.

>

> SHOULD I be seeking ways to help Alyssa learn to read so early?

> Will it open a window for her, a way around the auditory

processing

> difficulties? Or should I go with my original plan and let it

> happen whenever it happens? I always figured she'd read when she

is

> ready. Now, I'm wondering if helping her to read would be an

> advantage for her?

>

> Any thoughts?