Reading and writing words at 3

[MiaSparrow]

Not a stealth boast, (promise!) and of course I've no idea if DD is actually G&T as she's only 3.4. But she's often shocked us with her abilities and me and DP feel like we're playing catch up half the time - oh you can do THAT now?!

In the last few weeks she's started sounding out words and writing them down. Just now, for example, without prompting she wrote hen next to a picture of a hen, and bus next to a picture of a bus. I wasn't in the room! I'd say she can spell 20-30 words and maybe write down ten without help - mainly three letter words, but also her name, Mummy, Daddy, etc. I can't help but think this is a little advanced for a 3yo and wonder what we can do to encourage her further. I'm a bit concerned that me and DP don't know phonics in the same way she'll be learning at school. She's the most happy, outgoing, contented little soul, and she just loves, Loves, LOVES words!

Just carry on as we are or get her some early reader books? How have you encouraged your early readers and writers? Thanks!

[ZanyMobster]

DS1 was the same, we just went onto Amazon and bought some early reader books, not Oxford Reading Tree at first but others which had more interesting stories for little ones.

I wouldn't push her particularly, we didn't with DS but just let him do what he wanted, by the time he started school he could read Roald Dahl books in his head. At 8 he is still a very advanced reader.

Obviously there is no way of telling if she is G&T at this age, some children are just early starters but some will carry on at the same rate.

There were 5 children in DS1s YR class who were good readers (only 2 were reading when they started school the other 3 picked it up instantly) but only 2 of them are considered G&T in Y3, 2 of the others are not top set now as they have plateaued a bit. Often the ones who are pushed at a very young age will plateau as it is not necessary a natural ability rather more hothousing for a want of a better word.

DS still works about 2-3 years ahead in all subjects and I do think a lot of that is down to his reading/good comprehension. We do nothing extra at home as I do think there is no point in pushing them so far ahead, so we allow him to progress at his natural level.

So my advice is to encourage her but not push, if she is keen do whatever she wants but she will pick stuff up well if she is able regardless of what you do at home.

[Naicecuppatea]

My 3.9 year old was the same a few months ago. She can read CVC words and write them (and was writing her name and her sister's name just before she turned 3), although gets her 'b' and 'd' the wrong way round. She is also good with numbers. We just do simple things at home with her led by her. If you're unsure about phonics, maybe get a book?

I am a bit concerned my DD is not starting school for over a year yet.

[ZanyMobster]

We had the same concerns, DS used to work with YR at the local infant school once a week as his pre-school used to run a session there and they asked me why he wasn't on the new starters list for September, he hadn't even turned 3 at that point. The pre-school were so good with him though and they used to let him read to volunteers and made sure he was kept interested but at the same time letting him play loads!

As recommended by the SENCO we found stretching him sideways was the answer so other activities such as sports, music, languages etc.

I think it is easy to forget how important the playing aspect is, children should never be bored of playing, I found DS was bored of the work in YR but always liked the playing bit

[rocketjam]

You can find out about the correct way of learning through phonics with various cds, we liked the Jolly Phonics book and cd, it gives the correct pronunciations and it's very useful for parents! We also used lots of tools, such as foam letters for the bath (we used a little fishnet to 'fish' the letters out and make the sounds), letter puzzles, magnet letters for the fridge (we used to have these: whywoodworks.co.uk/tidlo-magnetic-letters-2005.html?utm_source=google_shopping&gclid=CMy_7oGN1r8CFUgCwwodIg0AVA ).

You can also encourage her to write using various tools, such as a paintbrush and water to write on pavement, chalk, finger paints, make letters with modelling clay. Encourage her to do circles, zigzags, straight lines, wavy lines.

We also used to love the alphablocks on BBC.

Obviously you can get some books and support her reading, but there are other games that you can play to have fun and learn at the same time.

[JaneParker]

We have five children. Number 1 was not really reading properly until aged 6 and got into a very academic school a year earlier than her age range as she's bright and did very well (earning rather a lot now in her very late 20s as a City lawyer).... number 2 who is also a London lawyer now was reading at three. In other words it can even out later. The others learned at more like 4/5.

Our policy was get them into a top 20 academically selective primary school at age 4 or 5 and it has definitely worked very well for this family and I was able to pick a high paid career and not give up work (so can/could pay school fees) which worked well for us all.

Every night we always read to all the children as my parents always did. Just keep hearing her read and reading to her and she will do well. Make sure she is stretched properly at school.

[rocketjam]

I tried with both my DSs for them to be keep on reading by Reception, they knew all letter sounds, were interested in books, tried to tell stories, pretended to 'read' books but they both started reading early in the Reception year. The progressed very quickly from then, but neither could read fluently before starting school. It was a choice we made to make sure they were keen on learning to read, but not actually reading before Reception.

[ZanyMobster]

We didn't specifically choose for DS to be able to read, once he knew the letter sounds then he naturally could blend, he did this on his own then told me after, it isn't much of an issue one way or another. School should be able to cope.

[MiaSparrow]

Thanks all! Really interesting comments. Yes to the stretching sideways - that's definitely food for thought!

While I'm (unapologetically) excited about my baby reading and writing, yes, it's got to come from her. And it invariably does. She's just at that stage now where she's thoroughly frustrated that she can't read - she's so fiercely independent in everything else. DP was G&T when he was little with a reading age of 13 at 5, or something like that, whereas I was very much a late developer. And guess who did miles better academically.

[BlackeyedSusan]

if she wants to read, let her. help her sound out some simple phonics books. there are loads out there.

ask on the primary thread for examples and recomendations, but don't mention age... you will get told to let her be a child. there are probably threads on there already.

she may learn to read quite quickly and then seem to stop. this is where we expanded sideways for quite a while as the further you get the more books at that level there are to chooose from and expand vocabulary.

apparently their dad was gifted, but he did not have the desire or motivation to push himself. he is happy and fulfilled in his work though, and it suits his personality. stretching gifted children can be for now to give them stimulation and the ability to stick at stuff... perhaps when it got hard their dad did not know how to study?

[MiaSparrow]

Thanks for understanding Susan, yes, exactly - she's such a determined little thing that I don't think I could halt it if I tried. I put Frozen on for her and as soon as she saw the title she started sounding out fr-o-z-en, and now that's another word she can spell! It's second nature to her now to WANT to spell everything and it's all happening very quickly!

[duchesse]

All those skills are brilliant and there's always a wide range of ability in children- some will read and write early. But beware of making too big a thing of it and constructing her identity around these early achievements!! Every other child will catch up and she will lose the thing that makes her "special" if you do. (I speak from personal experience)

Instead, stretch her social and physical skills. Make sure she can wipe her own bottom, play nicely with other children and know how to make friends, get herself dressed, take turns, etc etc etc before she starts school. All a lot more crucial for her happiness and well-being than being able to read and write at 3.