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Jilly_in_VA

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56. In fairness to my first grade teacher

Wed Jul 30, 2025, 11:54 AM

Jul 30

my class was huge (we were war babies, GI Bill kids), I think about 35 of us, and in those days, when reading stuff wasn't taught to us in kindergarten and there was no such thing as Sesame Street, moms were encouraged NOT to teach their kids before first grade. We were given a series of "reading readiness" tests, and apparently I didn't score high enough on them to make the cutoff. But hey, I fooled them, didn't I?

My daughter taught herself at 4, partly through Sesame Street and Electric Company, partly through phonics word games we played at the dinner table with her older brothers. One day while her brothers were at school, I heard her in the living room playing with a magnetic letter board we had. " 'G., guh, o, g, o. GO. MOMMY, I CAN READ!" We got together while she puzzled out some othe words, and sure enough, she had it figured out. I couldn't wait to tell her preschool teacher. As with everything else. she spent the whole day with her books, trying to figure out what they said, That was her way. The next project was writing her name (first name only) so she could get her library card. That was a priyd day! Two weeks later she had the coveted card with her name on it. Somewhere I have a picture of her holding it up.

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electric_blue68

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Highlight:

Inspired by Floyd's Kids Book question - do you remember learning How To Read? [View all] electric_blue68 Jul 28 OP

I remember. bamagal62 Jul 28 #1

😄 Well, you had a head start then! TY electric_blue68 Jul 28 #6

I remember the exact moment TexLaProgressive Jul 28 #2

Very cool! Ohhh, boy, I could see how you'd be bored! electric_blue68 Jul 28 #7

I remember flash cards JoseBalow Jul 28 #3

I wonder if we had flash cards back in the 50's. Ty. electric_blue68 Jul 28 #8

The funny papers, then the news. Floyd R. Turbo Jul 28 #4

That's a fun way to start. 👍 electric_blue68 Jul 28 #5

😃 Floyd R. Turbo Jul 28 #10

Dr. Suess and comics first buzzycrumbhunger Jul 28 #9

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel Brother Buzz Jul 28 #11

I loved that book, too, Brother Buzz! Diamond_Dog Jul 29 #27

I remember when fell in love with reading, Ohiya Jul 28 #12

I remember the first book I read berniesandersmittens Jul 28 #13

No. chowmama Jul 28 #14

Almost by osmosis. Heh, they should have admired your initiative! electric_blue68 Jul 28 #19

I remember being taught to read by my grandma KitFox Jul 28 #15

Interesting - readers. TY, and YW. electric_blue68 Jul 28 #18

My moms brother Pete, sat me down and we looked at newspapers together. irisblue Jul 28 #16

Interesting! electric_blue68 Jul 28 #17

Nope Oeditpus Rex Jul 28 #20

I kind of taught myself before 1st grade started. LudwigPastorius Jul 29 #21

Good on you. 👍 TY electric_blue68 Jul 29 #22

My older sister taught me 10 Turtle Day Jul 29 #23

Good on your sis, and that nun! electric_blue68 Jul 29 #37

Library card at three years, remember being taught to find small words in big words... quaint Jul 29 #24

At 3 yrs old! Wow. electric_blue68 Jul 29 #38

Picture books helped me learn; wasn't reading then, just learning to love books. quaint Jul 29 #43

👍 🤔 At the moment I can't think of any picture booksure electric_blue68 Jul 29 #49

Petunia quaint Jul 29 #50

Ah, I ?misunderstood... I was thinking... electric_blue68 Jul 29 #51

I don't remember how old I was but it was when I was very young LogDog75 Jul 29 #25

Ah...i don't remember that, either...sounding out the letters. electric_blue68 Jul 29 #39

I learned from an expert - my first grade teacher.. Permanut Jul 29 #26

Well! There ya go! electric_blue68 Jul 29 #40

I don't remember anyone really teaching me, I must have picked it up by myself. Diamond_Dog Jul 29 #28

Cool you knew how by then. Interesting about your mom. electric_blue68 Jul 29 #41

I don't remember not being able to read. Ocelot II Jul 29 #29

I like your long words skill! electric_blue68 Jul 29 #42

I was reading and writing at 3. My older sister liked to play school ms liberty Jul 29 #30

Another one who's older sis played school! And writing at 3! electric_blue68 Jul 29 #44

I don't exactly remember Jilly_in_VA Jul 29 #31

Woah, having a first and second reading group... electric_blue68 Jul 29 #45

In fairness to my first grade teacher Jilly_in_VA Jul 30 #56

Wow. Moms(parents) were told Not to Teach their kids before first grade... electric_blue68 Jul 30 #58

yes - we had a magnetic board on which you could attach letters DBoon Jul 29 #32

Cool! Good to start out w a positive word. electric_blue68 Jul 29 #46

I can remember not being able to write susanr516 Jul 29 #33

Blocks - clever, at 2! Yay on your dad! electric_blue68 Jul 29 #47

Yes I do! I was 3 years old and I reckon Dad wanted to see what all I could do. He started putting me in his lap with Dorothy V Jul 29 #34

Yay on your folks, great process! electric_blue68 Jul 29 #48

All About Books Dorothy V Jul 30 #57

I don't remember not being able to read. I do remember learning how to talk. hunter Jul 29 #35

Wow, sorry to hear that! The brain is still fairly mysterious electric_blue68 Jul 29 #36

The three little kittens who lost their mittens CrispyQ Jul 29 #52

Cool! I don't remember if my mom ever read to me. electric_blue68 Jul 29 #54

Yes I do. boonecreek Jul 29 #53

I don't specifically remember any "Aha!" moment. I have a very distinct memory... 3catwoman3 Jul 29 #55