T.T.: The Parental Tedium of Literacy

Presently in our house, we have two children who are very proficient and advanced readers and writers; one who recognizes seven letters of the alphabet and can write a single one; and Jack, who is just learning to read and write.

The good thing about having two older siblings who read and write so frequently is that the younger children accept that reading and writing are normal. The challenging thing about that same scenario is that the younger child tries to keep up with those older siblings before he is really ready.

In that stage, the younger sibling spends a lot of time trying to sound out words and asking for help with the ones he inevitably gets stuck on.* Also a lot of time asking for help spelling words, which requires a parent to stand there spelling entire sentences one letter at a time.

It is very tedious.

However! Here's your tip: Whenever you get frustrated with the letter-by-letter spelling and the very slow sounding-out process, visualize the day when that same child will be sitting quietly on the couch, reading on his own. For hours. Because that will happen eventually. 

Book ends, bookworming.

I promise, it will be worth all that tedium. And then some.

* Because English is a really inconsistent and confusing language to learn. So many rules with just as many exceptions.