“Reading” Before Knowing How to Read

Today, I saw firsthand evidence of the beauty of our children “reading” before they know how to read.

Ok, maybe I confused you. Let me explain.

In a Charlotte Mason education, we’re encouraged to read aloud to our children, especially when they’re still not able to read. We describe it as a child “reading” before he learns the mechanical “act” of reading. And we make sure to read living books. This means that the language is rich, the ideas engage the imagination, and the writing is excellent.

My first son was an early reader. My second son is currently just starting to strengthen his reading skills, reaching a level that his older brother reached earlier by a few years.

In light of our Filipino culture, we tend to think less of children who struggle to read. But the CM philosophy emphasizes the beauty of a child’s uniqueness, and I’m reminded not to compare, negatively, my second son to his peers, who learned to read much earlier.

And as he practices reading, a few pages a day, I’m really happy to see him easily understanding the ideas he reads about. He’s greatly enjoyed books like Daniel’s Duck, Chalk Box Kid, and his most recently-finished book, Shoeshine Girl (all by Clyde Robert Bulla).