As a mother to 4 and ½ year-old twins and a 22-month-old toddler, I was excited when the twins began recognizing letters of the alphabet and asking me to tell them what the words were on signs, books, or on anything for that matter. I took note and realized that they were indeed ready to read.
I began teaching the twins phonics by spending 15 to 20 minutes on a lesson a couple of times a week beginning when they turned 4. Then, we would read the Bob Books, which they picked out. The skill level for the books went right along with the progression in their phonics lessons. It was great to reinforce what was learned in their lesson through reading. It was also a huge confidence builder for them as well once they realized they could read an entire book by themselves!
After three months of reading and practicing our phonics, my children were able to read through the first set of Bob Books! I am still amazed at how quickly they were able to learn to read. They would get so excited if they got to pick out a book of the next color in the set. “Mom, can I please do a purple book because I can read all of the red ones?” I let them pick a book that I knew they could read all by themselves and another one that I knew would be more challenging. After a couple of weeks, they had mastered the ones they needed help on and were off to the next challenging one.
Best of all, my toddler sees her big sisters reading the Bob Books so she gets the books and pretends to read them as well. She says, “Mat sat, Sam sat,” over and over again as she turns the pages. She is not ready to learn to read yet, but I am glad that she already has a love for the books.
Many thanks to Bob Books!!! Not only am I looking forward to completing the next set, but my girls are too.
Katie S.,
Boynton Beach, FL.
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