Ask:
My dd (4), who I think is quite intelligent and has been advanced verbally and physically since she was a baby (according to her ped.), "reads" some storybooks verbatum. Does anyone elses child do this? It started last year when she was about 3 1/2 and we got a book from the library. We had read it a few times, when all of a sudden, when I would omit a word for her to fill in, she continued and read the ENTIRE rest of the book, word-for-word!! I was flabbergasted!
She just recently has done this with a Curious George book, even with the appropriate intonnation. I can't even do this....I swear. I can't look at the same page and remember HALF the words she does. I have joked with dh that she'll have to become an actress, with a memory like that. She can also mimic a song, with amazing accuracy (tone, notes, etc). Any one else?
Answer:
My 4 year old does the same thing. She has about 10 books that she can "read" by herself. We're amazed at some of the vocabulary she can remember from hearing these stories read to her, and now she can read them back. She memorizes songs and stories so easily. She can hear songs off the radio and the next time it comes on I can hear her singing the words. It cracks me up!
Answer:
My almost 3yr old has started to do this also. She remembered "The night Before Christmas" up to "....and what to my wondering eyes should appear..." DH & I couldn't beleive it. She likes to "read" her books to her stuffed animals after we have tucked her in.
She will also recite scenes from her favorite shows, like "Dragon Tales"
I've not taught in quite awhile and I was a middle school teacher, but I do remember that this is pre-reading skill. Start paying attention to how they hold the book. Ask them where the front and back of the book is, are they holding it upside down, do they know that the words run from left to right? These are all things that will help them learn to read!
Current teachers, please feel free to correct anything that I might have said; it has been about 4 years since I've been in the education field.
Answer:
I'm a former teacher, and you're right about holding the book, reading from left to right, etc. DD has been doing this since she was a baby. As soon as she could sit up, and then crawl her way to the book basket, she preferred to read over almost anything else!! Thanks for the tips!
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Yep, my dd (4) has been "reading" Dr. Suess(among others) since she was 2! We were amazed too! She has an amazing memory for books, songs, directions, better than mine! Now at 4 she's starting to really read. However I have a funny story for you. My dh just had to impress someone so he gave Julia Hop on Pop (she was 2 at the time) and asked his friend to read it to her, well she took over and boy was it funny. The friend still to this day thinks she was reading at two! LOL
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I think some of it is definitely intellect and recognization on your dd's behalf and some of it, for us anyway, could be that we have read that story over and over and over again that our kids have it imprinted in their brains!
My ds (3 1/2) is very methodical. He is our little policeman and corrects us when we speak incorrectly or don't abide by our own rules, so even though you may not think they are listening to you, they are!!!! Selectively!!!
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I think that this is great!
I agree also that alot may have to do with reading the book over and over. But I think alot has to do with that age is just learning things and they are really focused to learn. They comprehend everything that they see and hear.
My oldest dd who is 6 has been doing this same thing since she was 2 -3 years old. I make it a point to read to them at night and during the day when we are home. She is one of the youngest in her 1st grade class but one of the top readers. I think alot of that is contributed to their neediness to learn. And what they have learned at home.
I can see alot of similarities in my other two girls as well and they are 2 and 3 years old. They also have their big sister that loves to read and could read to them all day long!!!
Answer:
It's funny to her now, because her da dand I just look at eachother in amazement when she does this. So, now she'll just take over for us if we start reading that book to her younger sister. Too funny. I definitely think she'll be one to learn best through song and/or other auditory means....! Thanks for chiming in on this one, girls!