I’m 66 and now a grandparent of 2 girls (4 & 3.5 months) who both love being read to. I joined the eldest to their library @ 2 but the baby @ a couple of months. Both will sit and listen for quite long spells obviously enjoying it.
My own children are 20 months apart and also loved to be read to. The younger learned to read fluently before school as she HAD to do whatever her brother did. Very determined girl! As I helped in their school I was able to borrow reading books - esp Biff & Chip - which helped. I only ever encouraged, never pushed it but Alice was determined to excel. I have found that following a child’s interests and encouraging that interest can be far more rewarding all round than forcing a subject and be met with tears or a refusal. Looking back perhaps I should have homeschooled though I’m a dud at maths!
Thank you so much Lydia, it sounds like you would have been a natural homeschooler! I used to feel like a dud at maths too, but 1. Of course now I outlaw phrases like ‘I’m terrible at…’ so I can’t use them myself either, and 2. Teaching my children maths has completely changed my own relationship with the subject, and I now really enjoy it and have so much more confidence. When I was sitting befuddled in school maths lessons I would never have thought I would type that sentence!
My children are too young to learn to read (3 and 0) but being obsessively bookish, I have always enjoyed reading to my oldest (and he enjoys it too) and similarly rarely went a day without reading to him. However, I've been struggling to find the time and energy to do it recently with constantly chasing our baby. This post has encouraged me to take it up with vigour again.
I’m 66 and now a grandparent of 2 girls (4 & 3.5 months) who both love being read to. I joined the eldest to their library @ 2 but the baby @ a couple of months. Both will sit and listen for quite long spells obviously enjoying it.
My own children are 20 months apart and also loved to be read to. The younger learned to read fluently before school as she HAD to do whatever her brother did. Very determined girl! As I helped in their school I was able to borrow reading books - esp Biff & Chip - which helped. I only ever encouraged, never pushed it but Alice was determined to excel. I have found that following a child’s interests and encouraging that interest can be far more rewarding all round than forcing a subject and be met with tears or a refusal. Looking back perhaps I should have homeschooled though I’m a dud at maths!
Keep it up - I enjoy your writing. Lydia
Thank you so much Lydia, it sounds like you would have been a natural homeschooler! I used to feel like a dud at maths too, but 1. Of course now I outlaw phrases like ‘I’m terrible at…’ so I can’t use them myself either, and 2. Teaching my children maths has completely changed my own relationship with the subject, and I now really enjoy it and have so much more confidence. When I was sitting befuddled in school maths lessons I would never have thought I would type that sentence!
My children are too young to learn to read (3 and 0) but being obsessively bookish, I have always enjoyed reading to my oldest (and he enjoys it too) and similarly rarely went a day without reading to him. However, I've been struggling to find the time and energy to do it recently with constantly chasing our baby. This post has encouraged me to take it up with vigour again.