My Son is 3.5 yrs and I have just discovered the little tike can read! he has taught himself. I was totally blown away. At first I thought he must have read the books before as he has an incredible memory so I wrote him a little "story". It was basically "once upon a time there was a boy named T. T lived in a big house with his mummy and daddy and little brother J. T liked to watch TV. He watched so much TV. All day and all night T watched TV. His mummy didnt want him to watch so much TV. She wanted him to go outside and play. So one day she turned the TV off and they all lived happily ever after".
He got confused with "Watched"...read wanted and he didnt know the word
"turned" but apart from that he read the whole thing...easily. There was no hesitation...apart from "TV" which he mustnt have read before but soon worked it out and went "T.....V....oh....TV!"
What can I do now? Any ideas, any good books that might interest a 3.5yr old?
DS is very similar at 3 and I know reads 600+ words.
He is loving the Magic Tree house series at the moment (which he reads parts of easily) and Dr Suess. He also loves non fiction - we have quite a few of the Usborne beginner series (eg weather, planet earth etc) which he reads parts from. I have found early reader books at the library to be incredibly dull so tend to read together books that are a bit beyond him, letting him read the words that he can. He also loves reading street signs, signs in lifts/museums etc.
Get him to the library with a large box. He will find things of interest and read them. Return frequently. Let him be your guide as to what to do. Don't forget all the other development needs of the age e.g. cuddles with Mum while reading, learning physical skills, etc..
We've found that a lot of the 5-6 year old intended 'early reader' books are too scary for our boy. When he first started reading he loved The Little Bear books and the Frog and Toad series. Also Harry the Dirty Dog. Everything I've mentioned has got a really old fashioned feel, but the quietness of the stories was great for him.
We got/get a lot of old "lucky" books from the recycle centre for next to nothing. 30 year old books that we grew up with that are very old fashioned but so timeless and wholesome.
(and if they aren't popular I recycle them the next week...)
Jan
We found non-fiction of topic interest areas good. e.g. whilst enjoying Thomas the Tank Engine, also getting non-fiction train books with interesting pictures, so tricky words don't really matter, and they can "get" them at their own pace while still being interested. I personally think its important to keep to picture books as well because they are fun and creative and more interesting than readers. They are also written to be read aloud usually so are not like the rather boring early readers, with interesting pictures and language.
For whenever you think chapter books might be worth a try, I second Magic Tree House, Zac Power Test Drive or Spy Camp books (larger print, easier text), and Geronomo Stilton books.
You might be planning weekly trips to the library soon! We borrow A LOT and buy hardly any. The books we do buy sit on the shelves in their room. There are some good readers at the library but they are few and far between!
Hi, I'd recommend looking up Mo Willems at the library for your young reader. My kids have especially enjoyed the 'Elephant and Piggie' books (eg: Today I Will Fly; There Is A Bird On Your Head - there are about 6 different ones) - may be on the easy side but fantastic for early readers and very very funny. The ones about the pigeon are also funny...'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus' etc and have caused much hilarity in our house! Great for beating the boredom of those school readers. Good luck!
Thanks Ceri for the Frog and Toad/Little Bear series. We found a Frog and Toad book at the library this week and it is just perfect (content and reading level) :)
