The title makes this sound like an essay. I’ll make sure there are 5 paragraphs. This is an easy question now that my boys are becoming men at 13 and 14 years old. I have come up with plenty of excuses as I have looked back and can see the fruits of my labor and theirs. Now I can see that I should of sat down and taught my son to read and stopped thinking he was going to learn like his brother. What a mistake.
I have always prescribed to a “better late then early” philosophy. But I wasn’t just late, I missed the boat! He is going to get mad if I don’t make it clear that HE can read but (there’s that but) I see that not teaching him the mechanics has made it difficult for him when reading direction or instructions. I also wonder how much of a story he misses because he is not a fluent reader.
When he was ready to sit down and learn he did and he is. But I know that he has compared himself to friends and has gotten into arguments with his brother who picked it up quickly.
Now he has a younger brother who is also reading with ease. I haven’t even started teaching him and he is reading. My son has been annoyed by this.
So that’s it. My mistake. Remember, each child is so totally different and none of the learn the same way. Make sure you teach them to read, early. You know 1st or 2nd grade. And I mean the mechanics of reading i.e. phonics, spelling rules, vocabulary. At least that has been my experience.
Thanks to Simple Homeschool for prompting this post.