I started reading to my children in the womb. I read to them several times a day. My 2 year old loves to look at books and is often on my lap with a book. My five year old is reading and sponges up new words quickly. She even sounds out dinosaur names!
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Why Teach Children To Read So Early?

“Poor kid! Just let them have fun!” Some people say that they refuse to 'torture' their children and force them to read at such a young age, especially since this is the only time a child can really play and have fun before being subjected to the rigors of schooling.

We would agree with one thing – it is not advisable to 'force' young children to learn, especially during the early ages. However, the rest of that statement reflects a commonly-held misconception that children do not enjoy learning activities such as reading. The truth is, children absolutely LOVE to learn! So long as they are not forced to learn to read when she doesn’t want to, exposing her to learning words will foster in her a long-term love of reading.

The pre-school years are actually the best time for teaching children invaluable skills such as reading. Firstly, they love to learn and their brains are like sponges, soaking up whatever you show them. This is especially evident the younger and more immobile they are and have less distracting things to do. To them, learning the sound and meaning of words is no less interesting than learning that the furry animal in the house is called a dog. Once the child reaches school age, he will have many more distractions to contend with, either alone such as video games or in groups with his school friends.

Secondly, with the basic skills of reading acquired at an early age, a child will find learning to read in school a breeze, and the entire education process will be hardly as 'tortuous' for them compared to those who now have to force themselves to listen to the teacher against the myriad of distractions around them. What is more, for those with poor reading skills, learning other subjects which require the skill of reading will be much more difficult for them and so it's not too surprising that they often become discouraged, de-motivated, and associate the entire schooling system with ‘pain.’

On the other hand, children who acquire reading skills early (and willingly!) are much more likely to enjoy school and have a more positive outlook towards learning. Furthermore, children who who are taught to read in schools do so using rules (such as phonics). Infants on the other hand are able to figure out the rules and patterns for themselves given sufficient exposure, which is a far more natural way of learning. Learning patterns become increasingly more difficult the older they get.

Lastly, let us remember the fundamental reason why early learning is so important. Whether you are teaching your child reading or anything else, such learning has the effect of stimulating your child’s brain to better-develop the neural circuitry and hence improve the overall intelligence of the child during the very critical early-years learning window.

We read from the get go too! My 4 year old loves books! In fact she is looking at one right now. I use to run a reading program that targeted kindergarters - 3rd grade. I learned a lot from that.

You have been involved with so many things. Much more interesting and fulfilling than my community banking background!

4 books later and mine are in bed! No hubby to help tonight so I ran late with bedtime.

Your's probably paid more than mine! And with that I should get dinner going!

We are big readers in this house as well. I agree, if a child can read well then school comes so much easier.

my 6 yr old is Not a good reader at all sometimes she gets excited so I really encourage her when that happens other times I have to bribe her to try!!

my 7 yr old in 2nd grade well she is a top reader in her class and loves to read!! and sometimes she will read for a good hour or so!!!

I think a lot depends on the child!!

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Kelly mom to 3 great girls A Peanut, a monkey and a little burrito.

I agree with that. I knew a teacher who's oldest child (daughter) was a GREAT reader. And then her son came along and he really struggled. They did the same things at home but it just didn't come as easy. But mom kept working with her son, enrolled him in summer reading as well, and he caught up. He's now a freshman in high school and does fine.

My dh was just telling me that he remembers feeling pressured to "write" well. Because of that pressure he pushed away writing AND reading and doesn't enjoy either. He was telling me this b/c ds is frustrated with writing and dh doesn't want ds to experience what he did.

I used to read to my oldest when she was an INFANT. We started when she was just a few weeks old, sitting in my glider rocker, it used to calm her down and help her sleep. It was part of our routine. She has always loved books, and litterally taught herself to read at 4. Second dd, was the same way. She didn't read as early, but she was trying to keep up with big sis so much that it didn't take her long at all. Both my girls LOVE to read, Meghan is the top reader in her class and they both get fantatstic grades.

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~Missy~Mommy
Meghan8.Samantha7,Cameron4

It is awesome to hear other stories of early readers. I agree, if they are struggling that you shouldn't push them. I'm lucky that mine are enjoying it so far.