While I know her reading skills will develop when she's ready, I also know it's my responsibility to manipulate her environment with whatever she needs to develop those skills. Today I realized all the tools in her arsenal are based on what worked for Ronnie when she was beginning to read. I haven't been following Alexa's lead at all - I've been following her big sister's!
Luckily I had this revelation during a relatively quiet time in our house. Taking advantage of the opportunity to have some one-on-one time with Alexa, I attempted to appeal to her personality in a very literal way: I took a few minutes to scribble out a book all about HER. She really, really loved it, and, of her own accord, happily sat down and concentrated for a good half hour until she'd read her entire story. I love that a handful of sentences and goofy illustrations stapled together in love left her with a no-stress, joyful motivation to read all by herself.
(can you find the Angry Bird?)
(she wears socks on her hands when she plays dress-up)
(yes, our TV really is that old)
