Read Me a Story

IntelliGent loves to read. His morning routine includes reading books to himself in his room. While he can't read yet, he knows these stories well enough to "read" some of them out loud. Most mornings he goes through at least two dozen books before breakfast.

Dr. Dad and I have read to IntelliGent from the beginning. I will to admit to reading aloud from books before he was born.

Did those moments in womb listening to my voice help cultivate his love for stories?

I have no idea.

I do know, this child has a great interest in books. We often curl up together with a pile of books and just enjoy the cadence of the words. IntelliGent comprehends most of what we read, and these stories often come up again at later times, in unusual ways.

Fox in Socks is one of IntelliGent's favorite books. Dr. Dad and I have read that book to him often enough to have the rhymes memorized. Some months ago IntelliGent was playing with his magnetic letters in the kitchen while I worked on dinner. He showed me the letter B.

"B says b, like Bim and Ben lead bands with brooms."

Though I shouldn't have been, I was a bit surprised. We hadn't read Fox in Socks in weeks, but he was able to make the connection between the B sound and the alliteration in the rhyme.

Yesterday, IntelliGent read his first book in school. It was a simple four picture booklet with the same word printed below each picture. Before giving him the booklet to read, we wrote the word on the chalk board. IntelliGent sounded out the word phonetically and then put the sounds together. We were both pretty excited when the word "Dad" came out of his mouth.

We are still a long way from independent reading, but today was another exciting step in that direction. In the mean time, we will continue spending time together reading stories and learning things from books.

IntelliGent isn't the only one in the family who loves books.

Mommy and Daddy's books

Dr. Dad and I have a lot of books. I have two full bookcases for novels. Dr. Dad's interests run more toward science, politics, and Bible references. IntelliGent has grown up with books all around him. I remember the day he took an interest.

IntelliGent at 17 months

IntelliGent was a late walker (more on that in another post). It took him forever to pull himself up on furniture, but when he did his favorite place to stand was next to the bookcases. He'd pull books out, flip through the pages, and then put them back. His favorite books were Dr. Dad's Old Testament Bible commentaries.

We learned early that IntelliGent was very careful with books. The only page he has ever ripped was when we, as parents, over reacted. As long as we remained calm, the pages were gently turned and the books put back in their places. Sure, they were sometimes backwards or upside down, but the books were treated well.

Then came the day IntelliGent asked me to read the exhaustive concordance of Bible words to him. Gently I explained that the book wasn't a story and that he could look at the book once he learned how to read.

That moment sparked a almost obsessive fascination with letters. IntelliGent started paying closer attention to his ABC books, and when he began telling me the names of the letters on the page, I knew it was time to feed this new passion.

We purchased Melissa & Doug ABC puzzles and magnetic letters as well as other resources to help aid in his letter discovery. I love the quality of Melissa & Doug toys. IntelliGent soaked it in. 

This interest has lead to some amazing refrigerator and dishwasher art. 

Don't miss the letter symmetry on the red and green lines.

By his second birthday, IntelliGent knew all his letters and most of their sounds. He's still a ways away from reading Dr. Dad's concordance, but he's happily enjoying the journey.