Controversy regarding preschoolers learning to read?

[lisandpat]

I happened to stumble over several internet websites/articles regarding teaching preschoolers to read, write, etc. Seems there are those out there who are VERY opposed to this whole matter. I understand not wanting to overdo or push our young ones but what is the harm in trying to feed their curiosity? My little girl begs for me to show her and teach her new things all of the time. Anyone have any insight into this?

Thanks.

Lisa D in OH

[inHistiming]

I think everyone has a different opinion on this...just as we all do on any other topic. I personally think it's fine to teach a preschool child to read; if the child is interested. I don't believe in keeping something from them (obviously things must be appropriate) if they can handle it.

When my oldest son was in preschool (age 4) he was able to read short words, and was reading books by January of his Kindergarten year. He is still an avid reader, and excels at it. My daughter, however, was never into reading books and struggled to learn to read; she's just moving at a 'normal' pace this year. Only this year did she begin to pick up books to look at and read by herself. It probably would have been a mistake to try to teach her to read early, because the interest (and ability due to an undiagnosed vision issue) was not there. My 3rd son, age 4 (5 in June) is on lesson 8 of Reading Made Easy, because he wants to 'do school' too, and he's interested in learning to read. He also loves to be read to.

I'm not sure why other people have a problem with teaching reading early, unless it's because they believe that's pushing. Lots of people like to have a relaxed school or 'unschool' philosophy, and that's fine....but just like anything else, it's a philosophy and everyone differs there. I believe that only you know your child well enough to figure out if he/she is ready; and we must keep in mind that every child, even within the same family, is unique and learns differently. I think the ONLY time it would not be a good idea to 'feed their curiosity' as you say, would be if it is a harmful or inappropriate topic/area, KWIM? Otherwise, I say go for it!

[susie in ms]

I agree with inHistiming. I basically ignore folks who say "THIS is the way it should be, and you are wrong to think otherwise". It just makes no since. All people, young and old, progress at different speeds. If your child is ready to read...then have fun mama!!

[Motherjoy]

A lot of that comes from the idea that formal institutionalized schools are pushing reading so early. Their expectations are crazy for four years olds. Why? Because the earlier you get a kid to read, the earlier they are independant and the teacher doesn't have to help as much.

In a home environment, early reading is probably fine, as long as it isn't forced. Many new homeschool moms try to keep up with public school expectations and this causes problems. Some four years old don't want to read, especially boys, and their time would be better spend outside chasing frogs than with a list of phonics rules.

[inHistiming]

I agree with Motherjoy, too. ALL children, even if in public or private school, should be encouraged to get outside and explore! And, if they are not interested in letters and reading yet, there are plenty of other learning opportunities that are just as important. Parks, museums, sports and physical activities, art-type classes, chores , cooking with Mom, listening to read-alouds, etc...are all good ways for children of all ages to learn and grow.

[susie in ms]

I love the chasing frogs picture in my mind as I read that! Lil boys are just so cute like that!

[Melanie]

Most of the reading I've done on this subject is from pediatric opthamolagist or optomitrist who are very opposed to teaching anyone younger than...oh, 5 or 6 because it can cause irreversable damage to the very young, fragile eye muscles. The idea of teaching our babes to read is brought on by ps (and politics)...why can't our test scores be as high as those in...oh say Singapore for example?? Hey, kids over there don't start school until they're 7, but we could catch if we started at 4. Maybe they do know something we don't....

If you feel very strongly about teaching a 4 yo to read (and yes, I'm one of "those people" in the better late than early camp) then please make sure you use a very, very large font.

[wisdom4us]

Each child is different. I listened to all of those who said to "wait, he's so young" and now I regret it. I think DS was ready and I held him back, now I'm paying for it.

You know your child and you know if they are ready or not. If you try and she's not interested, just do a little at a time or hold off until she is ready.

The best advice I can give is to follow your heart, God will lead you on when to do what with each child. Seek His wisdom and He will be faithful to answer you!

[Tansy]

I always though the controversy is over burn out. When I child is made to learn to read at 4 they may love it for a while but at age 7 they are so tired of it all they don't want to any more.

IMHO when a child is ready they will learn to read, if taught. Some are ready at 4 some are not ready till they are 10. I know I pushed my DD to read but she didn't start "learning" till she was 6.

When I look back at my motivations Part of it was Mom needing to be seen as a good teacher. Part of it was My dads continual pushing me that home-schooling is bad. Part of it was me wanting to be more independent. But the biggest part was to imbue my child with a LOVE of books, because they are precious to me.

But I found my dd was happiest when I let her hatch butterflies than when I forced her to say ah ah Apple over and over again.

[mom2boys030507]

Well I am one of those people who taught their 4 year old to read and I am so glad I did. Bryce was very ready and asking to do more and more everyday. When he became frustrated we stopped and just reviewed and had fun playing. The weather turned cold and he was interested again. Now he is reading at a close to second grade level and loving it. He loves dogs and looks for any and all books with dogs in them. He reads lots, yet he is still a little boy who if given the choice will always chose mud over a book.

Now my second, I don't think will be ready at 4 and that is fine. I will wait to start with him until he is ready. That I think needs to be the biggest factor in teaching our children. Teaching them where they are at with a little bit of challenge.

[7mommy]

As a mother of 6dc, I don't think you can lay down a rule to apply to every child. My first three dc essentially taught themselves how to read. Yes, I did teach them, but especially my oldest....she had memorized books and put things together on her own. I tried a curriculum at age 4, but we got halfway through and it became drudgery and a battle. We dropped it. I tried again a year later and the same thing happened. She did much better with me reading to her and giving her workbooks kinds of things for her phonics. My next two were rather similar to her. They essentially learned to read as I did -- next to my mother as she read, attempting to follow along. With my fourth, he fought me every step of the way as far as reading was concerned. I tried at 4, 5, and 6. He would have none of it. He also did not like to be read aloud to. My other children would let me do nothing else but read to them. But this child fought me all the way. He wanted to do math all the time, but not reading. He would also rather spend his time on puzzles as a young toddler than sitting to read. He is now 10 and if I had to pin down an age for learning to read, it would be 8. But really, it was a long process over time. He is now reading the Redwall series, so you see, he has not been held back by his late start. My fifth, a girl, has struggled all along with reading. She is 9 and is finally catching on. She found a book in my library that interests her which is beyond her current reading level, but she is trying to plow through it. The interesting cover has intrigued her and I am hoping will help her see that she CAN read harder books than she thinks. She is easily frustrated and has been held back by easy readers full of pictures and short sentences.

Number 6 is now 5yo. He is begging to learn to read so we will begin with LHTH as soon as my books arrive and then move onto the next book and hopefully reading!! He is tired of his workbooks and wants more, I think. He is motivated by all of his siblings reading.

Becca