I better update about my kids reading and learning progress before I’ve totally forgotten it!
Our kids are totally different. Maybe it’s the way we brought them up or they are born with different characteristics. For Justin, he had my total attention for the first 16 months of his life, and it made a big difference. When I knew that I was pregnant with Isabelle, I tried to introduce some quiet activities for him so that he wouldn’t feel bored or “threatened” by baby’s arrival. I had placenta previa, and doctor advised me to have bed rest as much as possible. So, I could not do much with my toddler, I mean in terms of playing and running, so we spent a lot of time reading, playing puzzles, tracing and etc. They are mostly quiet activities, and he had mommy all to himself.
That explains his interests in books, and he loves us to read to him. Peter and Jane books 1a to 8a were his favorite books until he was 2++. Then he prefers dinosaurs and natures, and the books are as thick as ever with very small fonts!!! Reading to him can be quite “san fu”, if you are bonded to do it everyday.
I know that he can decode some words with phonics, which I haven’t revise much with him for the past few months, and I thought that he’s forgotten most if it. But a few nights ago, he picked up Peter and Jane 1a and 1b and started reading out loud by himself, word by word. Occasionally, he asked how to read some words, and I realized that he noticed “like” or “likes”, and he read by phonics. It may not sound impressive, considering that it’s only the easiest books in Peter and Jane series, but I am so happy! I shall monitor his reading progress these few months.
Then, we found out that he spells by phonics too, but only for most 3 letter words that he gets them correctly. It’s quite funny seeing him trying to spell simple words like “cat” in “c—a—t” and it’s so slow. LOL! He looks so concentrate in trying to spell the word in sound. For other children, if they have spelling at school, I think they can easily just spell the word in seconds, but Justin has to do it very very slowly. They haven’t started spelling at school, which explains his slower progress.
He has a Kumon word book which he can learn some new words that rhymed. He’s almost finish the book, and he’s been doing it almost every night. We ask him to revise from the first page, so that he can recite his memory and phonic skills. Once he’s completed the book, I will source for another book.
As for Isabelle, she has been one “tougher” cookie, as comparing to Justin. She won’t do what-you-tell-her-to-do. It all depends on her mood. She loves picture books more than those with words. She recognized numbers and letters randomly, and she hates WRITING! She will tell you, I can’t write. I can only color and trace. LOL!
We tried to revise the letters and numbers with her by books, but it won’t work. So, I’m using puzzles and games now, and she loves it. She loves to be praised and she learns better the fun ways. So, that’s what we are doing now.
I know that my little girl is more interested in singing and dancing and performing. She’s not shy, and she KEENS to be on stage. LOL! She loves to paint, but most art classes take kids 4 years and above. She only managed to join the previous art class because Justin was in it, and the teacher took her in. But Justin didn’t want to continue anymore, so we shall wait la…RM30 per class la….what’s the rush? Save $$$ first. LOL!
As for learning wise, we can’t push or force her. She will hate it if we do. LOL! So, let her learn at her own pace.
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