A GOOD BLOG trevorcairney.blogspot.com

I recently found a blog that is moderate, informative and well-researched. I think you might like it, too. In an ongoing debate conducted by Dr. Cairney, I recently responded this way. I'd love your opinion after you read this. Do you have a definite belief about teaching young children to read?

"Thank you, Dr. Cairney, for the moderate, unbiased view you are presenting to parents and educators. You have expressed both sides of the debate about teaching babies to read with honesty and clarity. In addition, I have read most of the books you mentioned. They are valuable ones.

I am an educator who also taught my own children to read before entering school, not by using any program, but by playing with words and sounds and creating lots of games for them. Because of that, they were all good students. I taught them as 3 year olds, not babies. I now own a Reading Center where I focus on teaching children to read and on helping struggling children pass their grade levels and attempt to "catch up" with their peers.

I agree with you on so much that you stated. But I do disagree with your (possible) conclusion that parents should focus on other quality learning experiences. First, reading with 3 year old children can be a way to play with them. It should not be only drill or practice or even sitting still. It can be exciting and playful, too.

I, for one, could only "imaginary play" with my children for three or four minutes at a time before I was looking for something else to do. But playing "reading treasure hunt," or "slap that," or "hide and seek" using words or colors or numbers held my interest much longer. They loved it too! And reading play is so much better for kids than television, even quality programs.Second, educators love to tell parents to read to their children.

But as Rachel suggested, a parent can do so much more. Reading to your child really is not enough in the area of literacy. Children should be beginning readers when they enter school. It ensures school success for them.

I see children at the Reading Center who will be held back in Kindergarten because they cannot read well enough to move on to 1st grade. Almost all of the children brought to me are bright children who should NOT be held back. All they need is an individual to help them take their first steps into reading instead of a teacher dealing with a large group. Yes, even fifteen is a large group.

If a parent chooses to be that teaching individual, the child has all the one-on-one time he or she wants with the one person he or she most wants to spend time with, and the one person who will most likely appreciate and enjoy each step of progress made.

In so much of the world now, children spend a great deal of time in daycare settings. That setting is ideal for playful beginning reading. While the director is planning snacks, free play, crafts, and outdoor activities, why not plan reading activities as well? Not reading worksheets, but reading activities, games, and play. And I'm not talking about "a letter a week." That is bare bones, minimal learning. I am talking about 15 minutes of real reading play.

I have created a reading program for children ages 3 to 6 that I use and am marketing to parents, preschools, and day cares. I am not familiar with YBCR and am only vaguely familiar with Glen and Janet Doman's work. But I appreciate their efforts to assist parents in this area. Possibly their programs would be good for 2 1/2 year olds?

I predict early learning is the wave of the future. If so, let's do it right, in short and playful segments. One child in our program recently told me, "Reading is my favorite way to play!"

Thank you for providing a forum for this discussion. "

Sincerely,

Jodi Heaton Hurst