8
2009
It will come sooner or later
Since the posting of Ethan’s reading video, I’ve got some good comments and some not too good comments off-blog. Some has even labelled me Kiasu. Okay. I need to make things clear here.
Every child will learn to read in their life. It is only a case of how soon or how late he or she will learn it. During my days, the kids normally learn to read at the age of 5 and above. My mother’s time? Not all kids are so lucky to be able to go to school then. At present? Kids learn to read at a very young age. Why? Exposure. Kids nowadays are so much more smarter than we were at their age. I can’t even remember what I was like when I was below 2 years of age. But one thing is for sure, I sure was not reading that time.
Ethan has shown interest in books from a very very young age. No doubt I have influenced him in this sense as I have been reading to him ever since he was 4mths (so sue me). And then he started talking at 10mths. Now, as I have a certified background of teaching kids to read, why can’t I teach my own child to read? He is already talking and starting to recognise alphabets one by one. And from my experience, as long as a child is already talking, he is definitely ready to read. And that is why I use the WWA method as it is stress-free and fun. No stress. To the many moms out there who have been emailing me for methods, I thank you and I shared my tips freely. And I believe they will see it as stress-free too.
I guide Ethan to read not to be Kiasu or anything but for the fun of it. Now, when we go shopping, he can spot out certain words and read it out. He definitely can read out the parking bays number as he has already mastered the full A-Z and 1-10. In fact, he is enjoying every moment of calling out letters and numbers and reading out words spotted randomly anywhere. I do not pressure him to take up law at this age or anything dramatic to that level. I did not even get him to do anything beyond his age’s capability. Reading at 16 mths old is no new feat. Many others have read at a younger age. If it was such an unusual act, Ethan would have been featured in some child’s geniuses programme by now. In fact, I do not see anything wrong in guiding him to read at this age, after all, he is already 18 mths now.
Come to think of it, I don’t know why the heck am I explaining myself here… To those out there who supports me, keep your email coming, I’ll continue guiding you to guide your child. To those who oppose, I am sorry if the video has offended you in any way. You have your freedom to oppose and I respect that. Now, I have to go. It’s bedtime story time… Have a nice day.