Mom had a three-shelf boookcase in my room, full of children's books for all ages. I don't remember specifically feeling a difference between before and after, since Mom was always happy to sit and read with me or to me. She encouraged me to look at the pages at my own pace. Sometimes we would be reading different books, and I found that very comforting. We'd go to the library at least once a week. At some point when I was three, she realized I was reading along with her. She hadn't made an effort to teach me.
Reading early got me noticed twice at school. In NY in the late 1960's, children were expected to read very little (if at all) before being taught in first grade (age 6). When I was in kindergarten, my teacher was pleased to mention to my Mom that I was very happy sitting in the corner during quiet time and looking at pictures in books; Mom said, "No, she's reading." I have a strong memory of taking an entrance exam to the local Catholic grade school. This was the first time I'd ever taken an exam, although I'd done "circle the letter" homework for kindergarten. The teacher started handing out booklets. As soon as I got the exam, I started reading the instructions, following the example. The instructions said "You may now begin", so I did. By time the teacher caught me, I'd finished two pages. Yes, I did get into the school! Shortly after getting in, they tested me and found I was reading at about a fifth grade level.
(no subject)
Mom had a three-shelf boookcase in my room, full of children's books for all ages. I don't remember specifically feeling a difference between before and after, since Mom was always happy to sit and read with me or to me. She encouraged me to look at the pages at my own pace. Sometimes we would be reading different books, and I found that very comforting. We'd go to the library at least once a week. At some point when I was three, she realized I was reading along with her. She hadn't made an effort to teach me.
Reading early got me noticed twice at school. In NY in the late 1960's, children were expected to read very little (if at all) before being taught in first grade (age 6). When I was in kindergarten, my teacher was pleased to mention to my Mom that I was very happy sitting in the corner during quiet time and looking at pictures in books; Mom said, "No, she's reading." I have a strong memory of taking an entrance exam to the local Catholic grade school. This was the first time I'd ever taken an exam, although I'd done "circle the letter" homework for kindergarten. The teacher started handing out booklets. As soon as I got the exam, I started reading the instructions, following the example. The instructions said "You may now begin", so I did. By time the teacher caught me, I'd finished two pages. Yes, I did get into the school! Shortly after getting in, they tested me and found I was reading at about a fifth grade level.