Monday, January 28, 2008

give me a "w" — for "wow"

It almost seems like a fluke — how can a 17-month-old do this? — but Daniel is starting to learn to identify letters. He's got "O" pretty much down — that's an easy one. Today, standing at the edge of Steve's nightstand, where a copy of Alan Greenspan's new autobiography sits, he pointed to the G on the cover and said, "G." I showed him the spine of the book, which has Alan Greenspan's name printed in big letters, and touched each letter as I said its name. When I was done, he went back and touched the "R" and said, "R." I said, "Can you show me an "E"? He pointed to the double-"E"s.

I often write out his name in all caps and show him what "DANIEL" looks like. He hasn't gotten to the point of identifying those letters yet — though maybe I should keep trying. My dad tells me I was wowing strangers at state parks by reading signs out loud when I was 4, so maybe we've got an early reader on our hands. I hope so! I'd love it if my children loved to read. We read to Daniel every day, and he sees us reading plenty, so hopefully we're paving the way for him.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It cracks me up that he recognized "G" not from a kid's book about giraffes or giants, but from a grown-up political book!

And you are very smart Em, and were a fast reader at a young age, as Dad pointed out. You could crank out a Judy Bloom book in less than an hour when we were kids.

- Susanne

Christina said...

That doesn't surprise me at all! With you as a mom (and two avid reader parents), I'm sure he's headed to great verbal skills.

Exciting!

Marketing Mama said...

That's great! He's on his way! Do you have an alphabet puzzle yet? Alex loves his. First it was to learn his letters, now he pulls letters out to spell words. He amazed me reading the letters off of car license plates well before his 2nd birthday.

kristine said...

Impressive! I tell ya - those minds are little sponges!!

Anonymous said...

Then I bet he'll be reading signs at state parks earlier than you were, hehe.....:0

Soupy said...

I am not suprised! he is a genuis!!! It's all those books and the love of books you are teaching him! I am so impressed, you, GO, Daniel! YAY!

Mooshie shared with me that her maddie (who just turned 3) is reading and spelling, and loves this new Leapfrog game that is similar to Frogger - only the jumping is the way you spell words - jump from letter to letter.I bet he'd love something like that!

Soupy said...

this is it
http://astore.amazon.com/science-books-20/detail/B000BTNQUQ

whoa, didn't realize it's geared towards ages 4 and up --- anyhoo, this could be something for the FUTURE!! :)

Unknown said...

I agree with Christina, doesn't suprise me at all, as a product of you two! Hurray for him and for you!

Jo on the go said...

Brilliant!

My parents actually had a "Hooked on Phonics" in the house, and my older sister taught me to read with it. Parents did not know until the first day of first grade, when my teacher sent me to the principal's office for being the only kid who COULD read well. My mother said "Well, I knew you were reading signs in the car but I thought you were memorizing them."

I know that you're going to be struggling to figure out, when your genius turns 4, how to handle his education, since he'll already be reading Beowulf.

LutherLiz said...

It makes perfect sense. Smart parents, lots of books, and voila - brilliant baby! There is no question that Daniel is quick to catch onto things. Keep up the good work mom!