2 year old memorizing and reciting books - normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is normal.
DSis 7 and still has a great memory, unless of course it is about something like brushing his teeth or putting his clothes in the hamper.

For us the only thing is it made learning to read a bit of a challenge. Not that it was hard just that I had to have a lot of books on hand and I never let him read the same book more than once. It helped me ensure he was reading the book and not that he had just memorized it.

That said a great memory is a wonderful thing. Sight words are all about memory b/c you can't sound them out.

Same, DD had everyone thinking she was reading at 3. She could read simple words but the more complex stuff was due to an awesome auditory memory.

OH, and, now at 12 she doesn't love reading and it's her weakest academic subject (funnily enough she excels in math and science) so don't make any assumptions. I have two kids that, at least anecdotally, prove that early reading means nothing. One was a very early reader and now has to be pushed to pick up a book. Gets solis, but not incredible, reading comprehension scores on ERB and SSAT. Other kid was a little late reading, got extra help in K, didn't really take off in reading until 1st grade and that kid scores in tip top percentile for reading comp and reads all the time. Loves books. Goes to a super demanding DC private.

Agree, it's wise to take these skills as they come and not leap to long-range predictions. Kids develop skills at different rates. The early reader won't necessarily be a better reader than her peers at age 10 (although she might be).

One of my kids showed signs of an awesome auditory memory at an early age and as a teen still has an awesome auditory memory. It's a great skill and serves him well in many ways. But it doesn't have anything to do with reading. (If anything, it sometimes allows him to do *less* reading, because he learns a lot from listening in class and he loves books on tape, LOL.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is normal.
DSis 7 and still has a great memory, unless of course it is about something like brushing his teeth or putting his clothes in the hamper.

For us the only thing is it made learning to read a bit of a challenge. Not that it was hard just that I had to have a lot of books on hand and I never let him read the same book more than once. It helped me ensure he was reading the book and not that he had just memorized it.

That said a great memory is a wonderful thing. Sight words are all about memory b/c you can't sound them out.

Same, DD had everyone thinking she was reading at 3. She could read simple words but the more complex stuff was due to an awesome auditory memory.

OH, and, now at 12 she doesn't love reading and it's her weakest academic subject (funnily enough she excels in math and science) so don't make any assumptions. I have two kids that, at least anecdotally, prove that early reading means nothing. One was a very early reader and now has to be pushed to pick up a book. Gets solis, but not incredible, reading comprehension scores on ERB and SSAT. Other kid was a little late reading, got extra help in K, didn't really take off in reading until 1st grade and that kid scores in tip top percentile for reading comp and reads all the time. Loves books. Goes to a super demanding DC private.

Agree, it's wise to take these skills as they come and not leap to long-range predictions. Kids develop skills at different rates. The early reader won't necessarily be a better reader than her peers at age 10 (although she might be).

One of my kids showed signs of an awesome auditory memory at an early age and as a teen still has an awesome auditory memory. It's a great skill and serves him well in many ways. But it doesn't have anything to do with reading. (If anything, it sometimes allows him to do *less* reading, because he learns a lot from listening in class and he loves books on tape, LOL.)

^^Sorry, I meant to say "but though we first noticed his auditory memory when we were reading him (and he was memorizing) books, it's a skill that doesn't have anything to do with *reading* per se."

[Anonymous]

While this may be very normal to some I found my son memorizing the "entire" book and when he turned 5yrs old he began to write short stories. I can only tell you that in kindergarten I was told by his teacher that he has a "photographic memory". This has served him very well. I did have concerns early on that he might have Asperger's (and I do believe he has traits even now). What use to be a strange preoccupation with aliens and Big Foot has turned into a love for film. From the age of 5 until now (14) I've really had to work with him on his social skills and ability to relate to others. He has done exceptionally well academically and has a fearless disposition about life.

The most difficult part of this journey has been explaining my "quirky" child to "AG" teachers that wanted to say he didn't "fit the mold" as it related to exceptional children. In elementary school I had to be my son's biggest advocate. He had to be fed more spelling words, longer passages, more difficult math, etc in order to stay engaged. I placed my son in private school for 3 years (K-2nd) because he would blurt very "honest" things out and I did not want him to be labeled with a behavior problem by the school system. He did not know how to refrain from saying what he was thinking. I've tried to help him in that area without stifling his creativity and free spirit!

If your child is showing exceptional abilities at a young age- feed him! Be your child's biggest advocate and if has a talent or gift....don't let others make it "normal"!

[Anonymous]

My son was like that at two. He's almost 5 now and completely normal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is normal.
DSis 7 and still has a great memory, unless of course it is about something like brushing his teeth or putting his clothes in the hamper.

For us the only thing is it made learning to read a bit of a challenge. Not that it was hard just that I had to have a lot of books on hand and I never let him read the same book more than once. It helped me ensure he was reading the book and not that he had just memorized it.

That said a great memory is a wonderful thing. Sight words are all about memory b/c you can't sound them out.

I know this is an old post, but I appreciate the advice about challenges when it's time to read. DD is 2.5 and seems to have an exceptional memory (though she's my first and I'm not really sure if that's common for toddlers, but it seems really good for an adult). Not just for books, but she remembers where anything is in the house, even if just casually placed there. If I move it, she gets upset when she can't find it. She remembers a lot of other things with quite a bit of detail as well. I think I may have a better than average but not notable memory, but my mom also is exceptionally good with detailed memory...so there could be some genetics there.

I have wondered if her tendency to memorize things very quickly will make it harder for her to "read", since she can do a realistic impression of reading already by just reciting the memorized phrases. I will keep in mind the need to change up books more often when the time comes.

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks. I was getting a little concerned about Aspergers tonight while he sat in the bath tub reciting a book I only read a few times.

This is very annoying to me as I am a parent of an Asperger child, now adult. Asperger people are not to be feared and it sounds like you are. My DD is amazing, smart, funny and kind and she has Aspergers. Please, Op educate yourself about people with Aspergers. There is a huge range of people and to count them out or "worry about your son having it" is very insulting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok thanks. I was getting a little concerned about Aspergers tonight while he sat in the bath tub reciting a book I only read a few times.

This is very annoying to me as I am a parent of an Asperger child, now adult. Asperger people are not to be feared and it sounds like you are. My DD is amazing, smart, funny and kind and she has Aspergers. Please, Op educate yourself about people with Aspergers. There is a huge range of people and to count them out or "worry about your son having it" is very insulting.

While I understand where you're coming from, I can't fault a parent for not wanting obstacles for their child. I'm sure your daughter is amazing.

[Anonymous]

It's normal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok thanks. I was getting a little concerned about Aspergers tonight while he sat in the bath tub reciting a book I only read a few times.

This is very annoying to me as I am a parent of an Asperger child, now adult. Asperger people are not to be feared and it sounds like you are. My DD is amazing, smart, funny and kind and she has Aspergers. Please, Op educate yourself about people with Aspergers. There is a huge range of people and to count them out or "worry about your son having it" is very insulting.

While I understand where you're coming from, I can't fault a parent for not wanting obstacles for their child. I'm sure your daughter is amazing.

+1. How did you feel when your daughter first started showing signs? No worry or concern? There's also a huge range of people who are quadriplegic, but I'd still worry if I saw signs of it in my child. Wouldn't you?

[Anonymous]

My eldest was very verbal early on and did this as well. Definitely not autistic. He's now almost 4 and just very interested in learning words, reading and talking above his age level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this is a humblebrag or paranoid "is my kid autistic" post?



(totally normal, OP, there is nothing wrong with your child. And FWIW, if we haven't read a book in a month or two, my 2 1/2 year old forgets the words)

I'm going with humblebrag.

Op, it's normal. Kids are wired to imitate. It's how they learn language.

Exactly. Every children's song, children's song, children's rhyme, etc is all repetition. It's how they learn language, sperch, ariculation, new words, etc.

[Anonymous]

I have an Aspie and the thing to look for with the memorizing language is if the child is substituting big chunks of memorized language for spontaneously producing it. In other words, if your child is cold and says "Little Bear wondered when Mother was going to bring him a nice warm coat" rather than asking if you have a sweater he can put on, then it's a problem. It's not the memorizing language, it's what the child does with the memorized language.