Beginning Reading

Yesterday, we visited our local library. Every Wednesday and Friday, the Caboolture Library has story time, about half an hour of stories and songs, usually followed by a simple craft activity. As DD has been a little uncertain about being involved in group play and activities, this one is our gentle introduction and some social interaction. Some weeks she doesn't want to go, and a few times when there has been an unusually large group, such as during school holidays, she's wanted to go home, but overall she really enjoys the experience, and always demands that we go to the playground nearby to play afterwards.

It's really great morning out, we get to listen to fun stories, play with the other kids, get some new books/DVD's/computer games, and best of all, it's free! I've been really impressed with the Caboolture library's resources for kids. There are giant floor puzzles for the kids to play with in the library (not a visit goes by that we don't do at least one of them!), a great selection of fiction and non-fiction books for kids, and even an educational section.

Yesterday, among other things, we picked up a beginning reading book. It's quite simple, 3-4 word sentences on each page, and a very cute little story about two frogs jumping. I picked it up on a whim, thinking that DD might just like it. We do have the first level of a couple of different beginning reading series, and DD has practiced many times with them. This book was a little different though, in that it had more of a story than many of the readers we have.

When we got home, we sat down to read it, and DD read it through with minimal help! She was so excited she read it again, then again to show DH when he got home from work. It was a very exciting moment for us all. Of course, we still have a long way to go, but we've taken the first step, and all in all, it was pretty easy.

One of the best things about homeschooling I think, is that we get to share these moments with our kids, rather than just hearing about them later (if they even get repeated). Seeing DD's excitement as she realised that she could read was a wonderful gift, and I look forward to many more like it on our homeschooling journey.