I love this advice...
MomtoJGJE wrote:It could even take the whole guide (or almost all of it).... and it might seem like one day she gets it and one day she doesnt'. Or there might be spells where she doesn't get it for weeks and one day she'll have no trouble, then more days of not getting it.
Any of that is ok because it's all to just get them used to the process and thinking about the book.
We've done LHFHG from start to finish 2 times now, and we are on our third time through it with our third ds now. The Thorton Burgess books are so narrative and engaging. The short chapters lend themselves well to helping little ones learn to listen instead of just look at lots of pictures as we are reading. One thing I remind myself of when I begin reading books with fewer pictures to our dc in LHFHG is that the skill they are learning is actually to listen attentively to books with less and less pictures. This is a new skill to be honed all year, and it is not one that is picked up overnight. Young dc have been used to board books or short picture books books with bright, splashy pictures across every page, with lots of page turning that gives the eye more pictures to look upon quickly and often. These first books we read to our dc have little text on each page, and they are usually short enough to be read in one setting. When dc begin to listen to books like the Thorton Burgess books, they are being asked to learn to listen with their ears more than look with their eyes, and they are also being asked to follow a storyline in the same book from day to day, chapter to chapter. These are all new skills for them to slowly develop, and as MomtoJGJE took note of - this can take real time.
It helps to have dc tucked under our arm on the couch or somewhere equally inviting, as if this is our time to "cuddle up and concentrate on reading". This physical presence and choice of location says "we are going to focus on this book carefully together for the next 5-7 minutes" because it takes real concentration and is important to do. It also lends itself beautifully to the next step of "listening carefully" to read alouds, as it encourages dc to follow along with the text as we read aloud, as they are able to read more themselves. This in turn helps dc to then take over the reading themselves with success as they grow older. Thorton Burgess books do have pictures, scattered throughout the book that are helpful to look at, but more importantly for this stage of read alouds, they have short 2-3 page chapters, familiar characters from book to book, and a narrative, engaging writing style to draw the listener in.
The Thorton Burgess books have become so beloved in our home that we own them all. Even our older dc enjoy reading and rereading them time and time again. I want to encourage you that they are the beginning of a love of listening to good reading of books with fewer pictures, and that by encouraging your dc to sit near you and truly focus on the short readings, you will be helping them focus on growing these skills bit by bit, as well as on enjoying these special reading times together to the hilt! Keep on reading mama - soon your sweetie will be hanging on your every word and begging for more of Burgess!
In Christ,
Julie