My daughter is beginning to read at age 3...?

Question

What can I do to help foster her early development? I read at age 3 as well and I do not want her to be bored in school. She's in a preschool now and knows more than all the other kids her age. She is starting to regress because the other kids are not as advanced. How do I keep her from baby talking and just pointing at things? She never used to do that. I noticed children at her preschool doing it and I think that's why she's doing it.

My daughter is not "memorizing" (which is exactly what my doctor told my mother when I was reading at her age until my mother put one of the doctor's magazines that I could not possibly have memorized in my hands). I don't push her at all. I just taught her abc's and 123's and started reading to her and practicing pronunciation because SHE showed interest. I just want to enhance her development and not hinder it and looking for input.

Answer 1

I don't think it's a good idea to teach kids so much at this age. She's going to be advanced which means they'll probably put her in a grade above the normal grade for her age. She'll be the "baby" of the class until she graduates and will be picked on.

Answer 2

I have had the same issue. Even though my daughter goes to the best private school in my city, she still reads above the level of her classmates. They do not offer a gifted program at the early childhood level and she is really not developmentally ready to skip a grade. At home, we just have a rewards system for the books she reads and workbooks she does. I never make her read or do workbooks - I just let her choose toys, etc. to put in her "store" (really a cardboard box). I pay her for reading books and for doing workbook pages. She can then use her money to shop in her store (it saves me from running off every time she wants to go shopping - its also easier for her to choose 3 or 4 toys at the real store than just 1 - narrowing it to 1 can take hours so I'd rather she do that at home). She goes in spurts of wanting to read or work. She may go a month without doing anything, then read 5 books in one day and work half way through a workbook. I'm just afraid that if I push her, she'll begin to hate reading, so I try to always make it a rewarding and fun experience when she is ready to do it. The same strategy is working well for my son now too. He just turned 4 and my daughter is 5. They both started reading at 3. We did have an issue when my daughter was in preschool last year where she was so bored I had to take her to school kicking and screaming. Luckily, a couple of discussions with her teacher cleared things up miraculously. Her teacher had a masters in gifted education and she managed to do something to make an about-face change in my daughter's attitude toward school. I have a little less confidence in this year's teacher, but I've had no issues like that again either. At least my daughter has decided kindergarten is a fun place to play.
I hope this helps a little at least. I know all children are completely different and the tactics that work for one fail miserably for another, but its worth a try. Just keep trying until you find what really engages your daughter at home.

Answer 3

My 2 year old can recognize as well as spell different words. She has recognized each letter of the alphabet since she was barely 1. Without a doubt, she will be reading before/at age 2. However, this is due to her own curiousity and interest. I have never forced her to sit down and learn her numbers or letters and I believe this has made it something fun. In all honesty, somtimes she reverts to baby talk to say certain things. Dear God, they are still toddlers. It is obvious your child is quite intelligent for her age, congratulations. But do not freak out if your daughter begins to act like the other children around her act. They are 3. she is 3. A 3 year old who can read is not necessary more mature than a 3 year old who can't. Maybe she just feels like pointing at the pictures... don't make her feel like it's "wrong" to do so. This behavior is not going to make her dumb. My daughter sometimes spells her name incorrectly on purpose just to do it, or counts to 10 in a pretty jumbled way, again, just to do it. Who cares? She's 3. She's a fun, sweet girl who happens to know some things and be able to do some things that some other kids can't. Just like your daughter, there is a rhyme and reason to everything she does.... Like my daughter would say "Chill out Mom". Allowing her to be 3 is not "dumbing her down". If she starts doing college level calc in 1st grade, then worry about it at that point.

If you are unhappy with the preschool, go look at others. There appear to be quite a lot of advanced toddlers out there, I am sure you can find a program with a few more of them. But do not deny your daughter the experience of being 3.

Answer 4

Congrats on having a child who already loves to read!! My daughter, who is 12, was also an early reader. She is now on a college level in reading comprehension & is in the 8th grade. You could try to talk to her preschool teacher and see if she can give her activites that stimulate & challenge her. To keep her from getting bored. Also, watch for the future also. My daughter has a little trouble in math because the teachers were putting such an emphasis on her reading. Make sure that in her future in school, that she is challenged in all areas, as well as reading and comprehension. As for now, just reinforce to her the correct ways to say things and ask her to tell you what she wants, instead of pointing. If you make a big deal out of it, she will see the attention she gets from it and continue. Most importantly, even though she is advanced for her age, let her be a kid. You sound like a great mom!!!!! Congrats!!

Answer 5

I think it is wonerful that she is showing such developement at this early age. My daughter just turned 3, and she is just starting to want to learn, since my son is in the 1st grade and always talking to her about it. Yes, she will be a lot more advanced when she starts school, but most schools that i khow offer special classes for the brighter children. Here, it is called the gifted and talented program, and I'm sure there will be something in your area for this. You can probably just call the local school to find out. Good luck.

Answer 6

Hi,
My now-4yo read her first word at almost 3. She is now in a school for gifted children (preschool) and will (hopefully) enter kindergarten next year as an almost-5 (technically missed cutoff). I strongly encourage you to find a school that is willing to work with her--even a good private but not necessarily gifted school, if you can swing it.

A completely different approach is to not worry about it much now, and enrich her home life, as I'm sure you're already doing. Then when she's ready for public school have her tested for your public school's gifted program.

A good resource on giftedness is www.hoagiesgifted.org. The person who runs that website is a parent of very gifted kids and a resource to all who need info on raising gifted kids (or being a gifted kid or adult).

And, fwiw, parents of gifted kids often feel like they're being pulled forward by rather than pushing their kids. Don't let that scare you! Good luck!

Answer 7

My son also started reading at 3. He is now in the first grade and it has helped his confidence in being able to know what the teacher is actually saying. You would be surprised at how many kids do not know what is going on or how to do things in their class. My son also found pre-school very boring but he went for 3 years. I was thrilled when he was going to go to kindergarten, but that also proved to be too easy. What I did with my son was to basically home school him at a more advanced level in reading, addition and subtraction. It has really paid off for him when I see one of his friends from kindergarten being held back from going to first grade, and the struggles some children have with the simplest things in class. Go to Barnes and Nobles or any teacher supply store to find a great variety of homework type books that you can do at home. Good Luck and keep up the good work!

Answer 8

To keep her from baby talking practice talking normally with her and pointing at things just practice saying what things are. Soon she will get used to it and start doing things regularlly. When i was 5 i asked my mom how to spell pat and i knew it and i ran back to my room and i could read!! It was weird but i was a little smarter than a few kids in my class. She is doing the right things. So are you. Just let her show off her great Gift from the lord above.

Answer 9

I am the mother and grandmother of gifted children. I have a bit of experience with this issue. Remember that you are your child's only advocate. If you do your research, you know what your daughter needs. Never allow anyone to talk you into the "dummy down" approach. We pay good money for the education of our children. Your daughter is entitled to an education that is appropriate for her stage of development.

As for the baby talk....I would look into moving her to another class at preschool. I'd be interested in a teacher who was excited about your daughter's enthusiasum for learning.

"Pointing at things" I wouldn't even acknowledge that behavior with any responce. And of course...respond quickly to verbal requests.

Good luck...

Answer 10

Go for it. Try to keep her around people and children of like intelligence. Do not try to dumb her down as some would suggest. My daughter at that age would stun anyone with her abilities. Now that she is in middle school you will see how the others are left in the dust by the ones who's parents took as much time as you are helping your daughter.

Comments like "She's only three" is what you are going to here. Just brush it off. Continue on your plan for your child you will not regret it.

Park yourself in the local school store and the library and get as much information as possible in this child. Do this before she discovers the video games, television and then boyfriends that will distract her from her studies in the future.

I basically used home for education and school for socialization. It worked for us.

Hope this helps and Good luck!

Answer 11

Don't listen the people who tell you to "calm down" My 2-year old twin sons learned the alphabet and to count to 20 months ago. They are starting to sound out words now and know what sounds all the letters make. Its what they are interested in . They LOVE books.

Have you tried getting your daughter a Leap Pad? We got our sons one from Ebay. It works great! We play with it together. Just keep reading with her at home and make up games to play that are fun but also boost her phonics and reading skills. Thats what we do and the boys love it! We also spend a tom of time at the library and museums.

Congrats on being a great mom!