Reassure me - 4 year old has ZERO interest in learning to read / write

[Anonymous]

I've never been overly concerned with my DD's ability to read sight words or write out letters, thinking that she'll show interest once her classmates and school time focus on these things more intently. But learned from DD's pre K teachers that many of her classmates - most of her classmates - are writing letters fairly well and many are actually reading sight words, upwards of 50 or so according to DD's teachers.

She is still in pre-K so I'm trying not to stress, but DD shows absolutely no interest in these things. She does love books and enjoys being read to and "reading" (she can spend hours looking at books and creating a narrative for what's on the page). But we try and encourage writing and sight words at home and it's of no interest and DH and I don't want to force it.

Reassure me that this isn't an issue. I'm no tiger mom, just concerned that DD is ready for kindergarten. Also sort of sad that she doesn't seem to have the curiosity to learn to write and actually read at this point (I remember being thrilled to learn my letters, etc).

[Anonymous]

This is unreal. Now you need reassurance because your 4 year old can't read 50 sight words???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is unreal. Now you need reassurance because your 4 year old can't read 50 sight words???

Um, no. I would like reassurance that her total lack of interest isn't something to be concerned about. Reading comprehension is a beautiful thing.

Thanks for playing. You can check off your "posted useless and nasty response" box now.

[Anonymous]

It's July. Is DD finishing pre-K or going into pre-k? Either way it is normal, but if she is going into K then I can see your concern because there is so much pressure to read in K these days. Exactly how old is she? My very average DD is 4.5 and recognizes letters, likes to copy them, and may recognize a small handful of sight words, but nothing more.

Does she enjoy being read to?

[Anonymous]

Set up an appointment with a pediatric opthalmologist. She may be having vision issues.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I see now in your post that she does like being read to. It looks like she may be a young kindergartener.

[Anonymous]

This isn't an issue, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is unreal. Now you need reassurance because your 4 year old can't read 50 sight words???

Um, no. I would like reassurance that her total lack of interest isn't something to be concerned about. Reading comprehension is a beautiful thing.

Thanks for playing. You can check off your "posted useless and nasty response" box now.

NP here. I was going to post something reassuring but this response makes me think I'd rather not.

[Anonymous]

I don't see a "total lack of interest" in a child who enjoys being read to and creates narratives from pictures. Developing language is more important than reading or writing at this age.

[Anonymous]

Is she going into pre-K in the fall, or into K?

In any case, the situation seems to be:

1. She loves being read to.
2. She loves making up stories from books.
3. Other kids in her class know sight words.
4. When you and her father encourage (but don't force) her to learn sight words and to write, she doesn't want to.

You say that you're not overly concerned, but in my opinion, you actually are overly concerned. Wait until she actually gets to kindergarten, and see how it goes. Not every child is interested in learning to read and write at age 4.

[Anonymous]

Your preK is not developmentally appropriate if they are expecting four year olds to read and write.

You need to lay off the tiger momness

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is unreal. Now you need reassurance because your 4 year old can't read 50 sight words???

Um, no. I would like reassurance that her total lack of interest isn't something to be concerned about. Reading comprehension is a beautiful thing.

Thanks for playing. You can check off your "posted useless and nasty response" box now.

You will get lots and lots of responses saying you are being over the top and silly for worrying and every kid catches up etc.

but I will go against the grain and say my kid was like this and the end result has been a struggle over the years. If I could go back, I would really have worked harder on phonics and letter recognition. I mean really worked every day on these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see a "total lack of interest" in a child who enjoys being read to and creates narratives from pictures. Developing language is more important than reading or writing at this age.

100% agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see a "total lack of interest" in a child who enjoys being read to and creates narratives from pictures. Developing language is more important than reading or writing at this age.

100% agree

+1

Sounds like the PK is pushing academics.

[Anonymous]

I'm a little alarmed that your PK is comparing your child to the other kids, to be honest.

My DC just finished kindergarten. Some of the kids entered reading, many did not. There was no rhyme or reason to who knew how to read when they arrived. Some ESOL kids could already read, and many English-speaking kids could not.

The point is that it's totally normal, and teachers expect to see a very wide range of abilities when the kids show up for kindy.