My daughter's 3 year old's classmate can already read!

[acceptTheChaos]

Ok. I just had a major moment of parent inadequacy syndrome.

At a get-together for my daughter's preschool class, one her classmates, who is just three, brought along a book. It wasn't a picture book, but I figured, hey, cute, she's pretending to read already. Except, then she starts reading it. REALLY reading it. And she's younger than my daughter!

Turns out she can read perfectly! At three! I asked her mom about it (I have to admit, I kinda wanted to hate her, but she was really nice), and she said her daughter had already been reading for several months. She wasn't just memorizing either, she read "Nantucket" off another kid's tshirt at one point, like it was nothing.

So I have two questions. First, am I already a lame and terrible parent? And, two, has anyone here heard of "native reading"? That's the book her mom said she used.

Now, if the girl's mom was all uptight and strict, I'd be like, poor kid, pushed so hard. But her mom was a relaxed earth-mother type, breastfeeding a one-year-old in a sling, and didn't come off as Type A at all. And she there was no pushing at all, said with native reading kids learn entirely through play and songs.

I mean, her daughter read better than most of the kids I know twice her age! Or older!

[Xero]

First of all, AMAZING! Don't even think about feeling bad, because it's not every day you see a three year old read. I mean good luck finding a five year old that reaks OK, you know? Three is not the average age of learning to read, that's very advanced of that little girl. That's the coolest thing ever! I'm going to totally check out native reading or whatever lol. For my little boy. I've never heard of it. I don't know how my mom taught me, but I could read at the age of four.

But no, you're not a bad parent. Your daughter is totally on track if she can't read a single thing lol. I personally don't know any three year olds that can read anything. I know most four year olds that can write their name or their phone number etc. But you know.

That's so interesting though. I'm going to look it up right now. o.O

[Cthru]

Thats amazing! No.. that kid is really out of the norm.. not you.
I'll have to check that out.

[Father_0f_7]

My nephew could read at 2 count to 100 by the time he was 3, do 4th grade math problems like it was no body's business by the time he was 4. NO you are not a terrible parent, it is not normal for a 3 year old to be able to read like that, although it is a good thing. I think the sooner someone learns how to read the better off they are.

[acceptTheChaos]

OK. Thanks everyone. I know I'm not a lame and terrible parent just because my child is not reading already. But the little reading girl's mom made learning with the native reading method sound so easy and natural.

I've since looked up the website and apparently native reading is designed to work with children before three, so that they learn to read pretty much right along with talking. So I still kind of feel like maybe I missed the boat with my daughter, since I found out about it now, when she's almost 4. If only I had known of it earlier and she could already be reading as easily as that other little girl... yeah, I know most kids don't read that early, but I know so many kids who struggle with reading for so long, I just don't want my daughter to be one of them... I generally agree with Father_Of_6, as long as a child is having fun, the earlier they read the better. It can be so hard to be behind at school, and it's easy for a child to start feeling dumb. I just want my daughter to have a good start...

Still, I should try to be an optimist, the book talks about teaching reading by 3, but probably it's methods would also help an almost 4yr old too, right? I mean, it's gotta be worth a try! (getting my butt in gear, and off to Amazon...)

[Xero]

I am so buying that book. I feel so lucky to have heard of it while my son is still little. He's just turning one, so I should be good to go! I can't see why it wouldn't help your daughter try to learn more either! Anyway, thank you so much for suggesting this book. I hope it works. I'll let you know in a couple of years. LOL

[Dad@20]

Native Reading, sounds like it's worth a try. And for only $20! How can you not afford to try this. Just go to Amazon.com