We’re cozied up in my 7-year-old son’s bed, his head nestled against my arm as I wrap it around his shoulders. He clutches one side of a Winnie the Pooh book while I hold the other. As he reads the final sentence aloud, he looks up at me, his face glowing with pride.
“Mommy!” he exclaims. “I read the whole thing!”
“Yes, you did!” I respond, beaming back at him. “Look at you!”
It’s a moment I’ve shared with each of my three children, and it’s just as enchanting every single time.
There are countless milestones in a child’s life, but nothing compares to witnessing your child read an entire book independently for the first time. The journey of learning to read is both awe-inspiring and unique to every child. When all the pieces finally fall into place, it’s like watching an entire universe unfold before them. As a parent, it’s an incredibly thrilling and fulfilling experience.
Our eldest daughter, Lily, was an early reader. I remember telling a kindergarten teacher that she was reading fluently by age 4. “Some kids just memorize books and appear to read,” was her response. But no, Lily could tackle just about any text you placed in front of her. From infancy, she exhibited an extraordinary fascination with letters and words, forming a bond with the written language much sooner than her siblings. We often joked that she arrived into the world clutching a book—“book” was actually her first word!
Our middle child, Max, took a different route. By age 7, I started to question whether he would ever learn to read. He managed the mechanics fairly well but showed little interest in reading. He never picked up a book for pleasure and resisted every attempt to engage him with reading assignments. Max was our adventurous spirit, far more interested in exploring the outdoors than curling up with a story. However, everything changed when Lily began reading a series about cats. Max got hooked and transformed overnight, transitioning from reluctant reader to a child who could spend hours immersed in novels.
Now, our youngest, Oliver, who just turned 8, is stepping into the world of fluent reading. Over the past year, he’s progressed from decoding most words to only needing help with the tricky ones. It’s been just as exhilarating to witness his journey as it was with Lily and Max.
Reading is an essential tool for learning—arguably the most vital one as children grow. With the ability to read, they can explore any library and access limitless knowledge for free. Stories foster empathy and understanding, shaping how we perceive the world and our relationships with others. I can’t fathom a life devoid of reading.
Of course, there are challenges when a child becomes a proficient reader, especially if they pick it up early. It’s a parenting highlight when your 6-year-old scans magazine covers in the checkout line and asks, “Mommy, what’s an ‘orgasm’?” (Thanks a lot, Cosmopolitan.) You find yourself needing to shield them from your phone when texting your partner about sensitive topics or asking them to stop peering over your shoulder while you read an article about heart-wrenching global issues. This new world of knowledge isn’t always age-appropriate, complicating the parenting landscape.
Yet, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Engaging in discussions about what they’ve read or watching them become so engrossed in a book that they can’t bear to put it down is a joy like no other. One of my favorite sights is seeing a child tucked into bed with a book and a flashlight, even if it means they’re up past their bedtime. It’s a beautiful thing to behold.
While there aren’t many aspects of parenting young children I’d want to relive, this experience stands out. As excited as I am that Oliver is reading, I feel a tinge of sadness knowing this is the last time I’ll witness this magical process unfold in such detail. Observing a child embrace literacy is akin to watching a seed blossom into a flower—something you know will happen, yet it remains miraculous and enchanting every time. I’ve been captivated by this journey with each of my children, and it will forever be one of the greatest joys of my parenting experience.
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Summary
The experience of watching a child learn to read is a profound and joyful journey, filled with unique milestones and individual stories. Each child’s path to literacy is different, showcasing their unique interests and personalities. While there are challenges, the benefits of reading far exceed the downsides, enriching their lives and expanding their understanding of the world.