“Okay, baby, what’s this line say?”
“Dot… had a …dog. The dog is …the dog is… a cute little puppy who loves her and gives her kisses and I don’t like puppy kisses, Mama.”
“That is not what the page says, baby. You need to try to read the words on the page. We can make up stories later. Let’s look at the letters in the word.”
“M…A…G.”
“Good! Now what sound does M make?”
“Mmmmm.”
“Good! And A?”
“Ahhhhhh...”
“That’s good, too. What about the G?”
“Guh..Guh…Guh…”
“Perfect! Now how does that all sound together?”
“Mu…Mary had a little lamb, little lamb, little…”
“Do you break into random songs at school when your teacher is working with you?”
“Just sometimes. What’s random?”
“Never mind. Let’s work on this word. It’s the name of Dot’s dog! M…a…g…It rhymes with bag but it starts with M. What do you think the word is?”
“Bag!”
“No, baby. It rhymes with bag but it’s a different word. What’s the end sound of the word bag?”
“...ag.”
“Perfect. Now what sound does M make again?”
“Mmmmmm.”
“So if you put Mmmmm in front of ag how does it all sound together?”
“Perfect.”
Teaching lesson over. Mommy needs a drink.
Been there! And about to head right back. I worked through The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading along with the BOB books with my daughter, when she was 3.5 and all-of-a-sudden interested in words. There was singing, dancing, pen clicking, table drumming, headache-building, patience-testing, and then she just got it. My son is there, now. Pointing out every word in every book and asking what they say. It’s time. But this time? We’ll have a healthy supply of Appleton’s Estate on hand.
Love this child. Haven’t met her. But I love her anyway. Very spontaneous
Oh yeah. That’s totally how reading went in our house until something clicked. And, even still, if he’s not really invested in any given reading session, he totally just guesses or makes it say what he watns it to say. Heh
Hi Firemom! Thanks for stopping by. So you are saying I can’t bribe her to be motivated?
This is EXACTLY what happens in my house! {Looking around for Candid Camera now.}
Victoria, I planted the camera in the clock of the play kitchen in your kid’s toy room. Find it yet?
It’s not just parents who have that experience. That posting is what many of my September reading lessons sound like.
Beverly, I can imagine. Well, NOW i can after that little episode here at home with Buttercup.
Dawn Marie, all I have to say is, this is why i write non fiction!
That is too funny! I’ve had similar experiences with my niece, but not so musical, I love it.