I began working with two young boys, ages 6 and 4, a few weeks ago. I'm teaching them to read, using TRL--Which I LOVE. The 6yo gets it, easily. He's had some introductory phonic lessons before and he was ready to read. He's doing well and thriving. My 4yo wasn't getting it. He was more than eager, but "ah+tu" just didn't add up to "at" for him. He just kept saying "ah-tu! ah-tu!" He'd do it for a minute straight if I let him. I worked with him daily for a few minutes at first, just like his brother for the 1st week, then I switched 4yo to 100EZ, because it goes slower and I love the beginning of that program, saying words slowly, and saying sounds slowly but all together (for example. Instead of "cu-ah-tu" say "caaaat." This way seems to work alot better for him and we played the games in the book (w/o the book around, he doesn't like that book too much.) I let him try TRL again and he was kind-of able to do it. BUT, when I saw that his eyes had gotten glossy, like he was about to cry, I stopped calling him to do Phonics. I want him to take some time and get more accustomed to individual sounds. Saying things slowly, working on his writing (he likes to write) For the past several days, I haven't done any phonics with him. He can watch as 6yo does his work, and I will read a word slowly and tell him what it says, he'll repeat, but he wants to READ. He came to me the other day, and asked: Please, teach me to read, too! He is upset with me because he says I dont take him seriously but I take the 6yo seriously and teach him. I dont know what to say. I tried not to "push" him, like some have recommended. But now I've offended him...I'm going to restart him on daily phonic work, and get him some handwriting because he LOVES to write. Help? Feedback? Comments? Wisdom? A hug?....
Oh my that is so cute! Poor little guy! Hey, if he's asking to learn to read then you should give him what he wants. Maybe he is a "sight words" kind of kid? My son liked the sight words to begin with and then we went on to phonics. I got a Dick and Jane book and you know - one whole story is See. See Jane. Oh Jane. He loved the fact that he could "read a story!" Then we moved on to the flash cards that went with the Dick and Jane words and finally to Starfall. Good luck and let us know how he does.
Sorry, all I can help with is the "hug." So here you go (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))!! Hope this helpls!
Yes, but the 4yo cant use it independantly and I've found he only likes to do it with the 6yo, who doesn't care for it as much as he used to. But I haven't used it in a week and they haven't asked for it. It's tedious for them on a laptop w/o a mouse. I tend to do more work on it than they do sometimes....(Note to self: Buy a USB Mouse!) I'm going to have my PC fixed this weekend, then I will create a user for the kids and set it up so that they can use the PC more freely. Also, I'll get a USB mouse.... Anyway, 4yo wants to "do school" and see results. He can sense I haven't taken him as seriously as I do his brother where teaching is concerned.
I'm not sure why you can't let the 4yo play on starfall slightly independantly.. I put on the letter thing and let them have at it starting at 3, showed them to click where it sparkles and they have a blast. We also watch Leap Frog videos and my kids are convinced they are doing school by doing so Have you looked at other methods for teaching? www.readinga-z.com has an amazing phonics program, we have had great success with Hooked on Phonics, we just got and I'm in love with a program that was put out by Scholastic at Home called Scholastic Phonics Reading Program (haven't used it but it looks way fun!!), and we will be using McRuffy Press K phonics in the fall.. because it's a fun one too.
No, I mean he CANT use it. Not that he isn't allowed. He doesnt' get how to use the track pad on my laptop. My 6yo FINALLY got it a week ago, maybe. Before he kept calling me every 2 seconds. Anyway, 4yo doesnt like it much without 6yo around to...I dont know why he feels he needs the 6yo. But I think stuffs more fun when I do it with my older sister too, lol.
Okay, wish me luck everyone. We re-started lesson 1 in TRL, today. He did ok . I had to guide him through, but saying sounds slowly and together is working ALOT better than "ah+tu". I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and my nose to the grind stone on this one. I'm thinking that an ebb and flow type approach might work well with him. I'm going to try reading more 1-on-1 with him, so he can sit in my lap and watch the words on the page, in case he's a whole-to-part sort of fellow. Should I start sight words if we're doing phonics. Do I need to wait until we reach some sort of milestone with phonics to start sight words?
I'd do sight words along with phonics. Phonics can be tricky. Many programs teach things like "t" makes the "tuh" sound when it doesn't. It just makes the "t" sound without the vowel. It can get confusing for kids when they have to drop off that "uh" sound as they start to read words. Chances are that if he is four he may not be ready to sound out words. Maybe you can do some sight words so he can feel like he is reading.
I also do sight words with my 4 year old, and we read a lot. Seems to really enjoy that, and I second the starfall, and leapfrog idea. My son was able to learn all of the letter sounds with leapfrog, and he had fun doing it.
Just wanted to say that my dd was that way too. When we started hs'ing ds (1/2 way through k) she was adamant that she wanted to be doing school work too (she was 3 1/2). So I started her and although things were rough at first, she was determined to do the work....and that is how she is on the same grade level as ds today and 2 years ahead. So if he's wanting to do it, let him do it. Plus, you never know if you pass on that opportunity today and then "tomorrow" he may be past that 'wanting to learn' stage.
We get the Bob Books from the local library, but I dont own them. I've been debating whether I should invest in the first set for our home... Someone scribbled in one of the library Bob Books and the boys groan about it every time they see it, (we take books VERY Seriously, lol.) Right now, I'm using TRL with both of them. 6yo completed lesson 6 today, 4yo restarted with lesson 1 yesterday.
