3-year-old reading

I teach English in Hong Kong, phonics, and mainly to "younger children". I've taught a 3 1/2 year old who had a "reading level" of a typical 8 year old. He could read words like "knight" even!! And words with 2-3 syllables. Insane!

I think it's good to use a child's curiosity to teach them - and if a child really wants to read that badly, sure - help them along. But there's no "use" in a 3 year old having that reading level, I don't think!! There's no sense in a 6 year old knowing algebra and calculus!!

I'm all for helping kids to learn stuff that they're interested in - but I can't stand it when kids are PUSHED so hard that they really learn NOTHING because they're not ready to learn. I've had kids come in, they're at least one or two levels BEHIND the class - but the parent INSISTED that they MUST be in this class - because there are other 3 or 4 year olds in that class... and then the child really doesn't learn ANYTHING... it's such a waste...
 
I would say normal for a 3 year old is not to be able to read at all!!

Many (most?) children in Australia only start to learn to read in their first year of school which is age 4-5. But some kids get interested in letters around 2-3, and if they are interested then of course a loving parent can encourage that, simply by reading more books, talking about letters, choosing toys that have a focus on reading, etc.

If a child doesn't seem to pick it up, or show an interest, I think it's pretty silly to push the issue before age 4 or so. Maybe their talents at that point in life lie in things like fine motor skills, or being highly sociable. Encourage the things they already love, offer them the opportunity to learn new things, but don't panic if they aren't interested in the things you think they should be.

If you want a fun website to help your little ones play with letters and phonics, try this one:

http://www.starfall.com/

If your child is still learning to recognise letters, the ABCs section is wonderful. LOTS of fun!
 
hubby has to limit the $ i spend on books, or we wouldn't have any to buy food! i could easily go to a good bookshop and spend thousands without batting an eye...just the other day, i had to stock up for my hospital visit... hubby limited me to one book (i started it two days ago and am about 1/4 finished and it's LONGGGGGG!)... within about 4 minutes i had narrowed my selection down to about 10...and i could only choose one!!!

my that was hard to do!

(ps> i'm really into historical fiction, if anyone wants to trade!)
 
To read aloud is a very important part of playtime for your child. Of course, there's the fun of snuggling up on the couch, looking at the pictures, an enjoying the plot; the playful use of words and the rhythm of language come alive as you read. When you read aloud, the magic of story continues in your child's mind long after you close the pages of the book. It is as though these cherished stories and characters are like tiny seeds scattered into your child's imagination. The character and events from favorite books will likely crop up in your child's pretend play, creative ideas, and drawing and paintings. It's also a nice, low-key activity for you to do when you feel like you're running on empty. Below are some of my favorite read aloud books for preschoolers. I hope you will invite some of these charming characters into your child's world. You may get them at Amazon.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst, illustrations by Ray Cruz


A Baby Sister for Frances by Russell Hoban, illustrations by Lillian Hoban


Bark, George by Jules Feiffer


Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey


Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? 40th Anniversary Edition by Bill Martin Jr., illustrations by Eric Carle


Bunny Cakes (Max and Ruby) by Rosemary Wells


Caps for Sale Board Book: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina


The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss


Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr., and John Archambault, illustrations by Lois Ehlert.
 
thanks sunnie...can't get around too much after surgery, maybe i'll try next week. let me know if there's anything left!
 
ABSOLUTELY LOVE alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good very bad day!
i actually have a version that has two other stories as well. i remember my teacher reading us the book when i was in grade school!

i also LOVE anything by the canadian (professional) storyteller ROBERT MUNSCH. most of his stories are very funny("stephanie's ponytail," "i have to go," "thomas' snowsuit," "angela's airplane," "andrew's loose tooth," "the paperbag princess" are just a few of my favourites!), but there are a couple that make me cry EVERY time i read them ("love you forever"...gotta get out my tissue box!)
 
oh, and every child i have ever read it to LOVES "MORTIMER" about a little boy who doesn't like to go to sleep at night!
after the first couple of reads, the kids all sing the song with me!
"clang, clang rattle bing bang,
gonna make my noise all day!
clang, clang rattle bing bang,
gonna make my noise all day!"
 
You can not force a child to read before they are ready, to do so will only turn them off reading.

However I think it's important to instill in children a love for reading as early as possible.
I have been reading to my son since he was born and now at 18 months old he will happily sit while I read him stories; he will also go and sit by himself and 'read' his books to himself.

I have started to point out letters and their sounds when we are out and about, if he notices them. We also have magnetic letters on the fridge that he loves to play with and alphabet cutters for playdough. But we don't sit down and specifically learn the letters, if he wants to play with them anyway, so I'll tell him the sounds etc.

Pre nursery classes for 2 yr olds five days a week is very popular in HK....but it is not something I am comfortable with. Personally I think it is too much and unnecessary for a 2 yr old. I'm much rather my son was at the park, or at the pool.


A 2 yr old doesn't have to attend 'school' to learn how to socialise and interact. Simply playing with their friends, and other children will help teach them how to do that. As will attending more informal playgroups.
 
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