Reading Part II

So my son didn't like the cards. We just got through the holidays, and then everyone got very sick so there wasn't as much structure as I normally like when I am off.  Of course, everyone got better but then I had to work a week of nights so there was less time for me to read to him.  Now that things have settled down and I don't have to work I thought I would review what is new.

Yesterday I was surprised when he called me over to tell me that there was the word "exit" on the keyboard button, this is the first time he's really pointed out a word other than "STOP" on a stop sign (which of course have plenty of visual clues that don't require actually looking at the letters).  My "plan" has really not changed:  I try to sit down and read with him at least three times a day (probably 1-1.5 hrs total time) and switch between reading things for fun and pointing at the words as we go along, occasionally asking him to try and sound it out (haven't really had a successful sounding yet, although he is very good at identifying the letters).  Usually it goes like this:

I ask: "What does that say?"
JT: " C-A-T ... CAT!" (or HAT!, or some other word)

In addition we play some online reading games. It took a while to find games that asked to sound out letters and make words. My favorite for him at this stage is called "Dog's Letter Pit" and is on the PBS Kids website. He used to really like it but he now only tolerates it for about 3-4 words before getting bored.

Today the library opens at 11 AM so we can go get some more books.  This last checkout round (has it really been three weeks ago that we last went?) I especially enjoyed "Put Me in the Zoo" by Lopshire.