Learning to read...

[Purple Poppy]

At what age did you learn to read? Some little ones seem to be able to read from age two or three, but others later. Perhaps there are one or two geniuses here? (Don't tell me...the plural of genius is genii?) And with what books did you learn to read?

I was your average little'un. Started at infant school and then progressed to Janet and John books. Remember them? Gosh that shows my age!!

[Lilywhite]

I dont really know how and when I learned to read (mum may be able to help you out there) but I know I was always a reader and had an above average reading age, usually about two years above my actual age. I did read nearly everything my school had to offer and the local library helped too.

[Michelle]

Yea, I was always above average, and I'm sure my mum said I was reading before I started school.

With my daughter, however, she showed little interest in learning at home, but once she got to school she did great, and is now ahead of most of them.

[madcow]

I dont really know how and when I learned to read (mum may be able to help you out there) but I know I was always a reader and had an above average reading age, usually about two years above my actual age. I did read nearly everything my school had to offer and the local library helped too.

If my memory serves me well, bearing in mind i've slept since then :lol: , you started reading in nursery school, then in the infants you decided you liked reading and from then on there was no stopping you! I think your reading age was about 3 to 3 1/2 years above your actual age. I remember you going through all the books they were using to teach your class and in the last couple of years at junior school you could pick and chose what books you read. ;)

[madcow]

Now myself.... I didn't get the reading bug till i was about 6 (Janet & John books bored me to tears!). The 2 books i recall getting me back into reading were The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrode and The Wind In The Willows. For the record my average reading age was 2 - 3 years above my actual age.

[Kell]

I was "sounding out" words from picture books when I was two & by the time I was three, I was happily reading to myself out loud whenever I got the chance - I think it was me showing off being "grown-up" to the adults - LOL! By the time I was in school at four I was reading very easily & furious when they tried to make me read Peter & Jane books which I felt were far too easy for me (& they WERE!). By the time I was in my last couple of years at 1st school, they were having to get books from the middle school for me to read, & by the time I was in middle school, I was starting to read high school books.

We moved to Aberdeen when I was almost 11 & I was reading books that the Standard Grade classes were studying, so I guess I was reading about 3 or 4 years above my age. When I started secondary school, I was immediately made to do more detailed book reports using the template for the 3rd & 4th years. I wrote so many of them I won a prize at the end of 1st year. Unfortunately, they didn't really think very hard about the prize & gave me a copy of What Katy Did which I'd read when I was about 7, so I was rather put out. Now, of course, I wouldn't turn my nose up at that book at all! :lol:

[Liz]

When I started school at age 5, I couldn't read or write a thing. All I knew was how to spell my name (but I couldn't even spell my surname). My Mother used to read to me all of the time, but I never tried reading the books myself.

As soon as I'd started school, though, I was well on my way. By the time I was 9 years old I had a reading age of 14+. I'm not sure how I managed to catch up so quickly, but I guess I caught the reading bug not long after starting school, so that must have helped a lot.

[princessponti]

Roger Red Hat!! (that's all I remember :D )

[Purple Poppy]

Originally posted by Liz


When I started school at age 5, I couldn't read or write a thing. All I knew was how to spell my name (but I couldn't even spell my surname).


LOL. Me too! At age five or six I was about to join the Brownies, or something similar. An older girl who lived in our street took me on the first night, but I must have only been there a matter of minutes before they asked me my name. Well, Susan, I could manage, but when the lady asked me to spell my surname, which was French, I just burst into tears and could not be consoled. I never went back. It had a profound effect on me. I was embarressed and ashamed. I made sure the same thing never happened to my kids when they joined anything.

Susanna :006:

[Liz]

LOL. Me too! At age five or six I was about to join the Brownies, or something similar. An older girl who lived in our street took me on the first night, but I must have only been there a matter of minutes before they asked me my name. Well, Susan, I could manage, but when the lady asked me to spell my surname, which was French, I just burst into tears and could not be consoled. I never went back. It had a profound effect on me. I was embarressed and ashamed. I made sure the same thing never happened to my kids when they joined anything.

Susanna :006:

:D Ah, bless you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't spell my own name. I always find that really embarrassing when I tell my friends. They take great joy in taking the mick out of me.

[Icecream]

According to my Mum, by two I was reading the huge print words in newspapers. I know I was always top of the class (what happened?:10_confused: ) and i read all of the books in the school (till i was beyond my level then they put me back to the beginning. I never saw the point in that).

[Maureen]

If I remember correctly, I started to "love to read" at around 10 yrs old or so! I used to read before that, of course, but only because I was made to, at school.

[Acesare*]

I'm not sure how old I was when I started to read, I just text my Mum to ask. I do remember standing in the lunch line when at infant school and talking to someone about how silly the 'Look' books were. In my last year at junior school I rememeber writing a book (which I still have) called 'Where's Suzy?' - a kiddy book that was basically a rip off of the Spot books.

[Michelle]

:D Ah, bless you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't spell my own name. I always find that really embarrassing when I tell my friends. They take great joy in taking the mick out of me.

Bethany is quite put out that her younger sister (Amy) has an easier name to learn! :lol:

[Angel]

I was about 3 when I got going. Janet and John were soooooooo easy and very boring! By the time I was 7 I would always ask for an Enid Blyton book whenever my mother went into a certain newsagents instead of having a bag of sweets. By 11 I was tackling Jean Plaidy with great gusto!

Tiger has had a book in her hand since she could pick things up with her baby hands! At just turned 11 in July she has a reading age of 13 1/2 and has this term been the only one to get to grips and understand 'The Lady of Shalot', scoring a 5B in a test 2 weeks ago ;)

It must be in our genes because my mother and grand-mother (God rest her soul) are the same

[Acesare*]

I had trouble learning how to spell my middle name (well, I hardly used it) and I really struggled with the surname of my Dad's sister's family. Her (soon to be ex) husband is Czech, so they had different surnames for the males and females, plus it's all p's, v's and k's.

[Liz]

Bethany is quite put out that her younger sister (Amy) has an easier name to learn! :lol:

Ahhhh.....That is the cutest thing. :lol: :lol:

[Gyre]

I could read when I was about 3, I used the newspaper..:mrgreen:

[Mia]

I could read well before I started school - I think my mum taught me. Also, I memorised my stories and the shapes of the words I think. (Yes, I was one of those annoying children who corrected their parent if they missed out so much as one word when reading the bedtime story!)

I remember being disgusted by the Janet and John books when I saw them... "Look John! Look! A cat!" :roll: I guess my reading age was well above my real age, but they didn't tell you things like that when I was at junior school, perhaps in case you became big headed about it!

I do know that I read very, very quickly (and still do). Once, I remember getting a new reading book, and reading it in about ten minutes flat. I asked the teacher if I could change it, but she didn't believe that I'd read it in that time. She quizzed me on the story, and when I could answer every question correctly, she gave me a foul look and was forced to let me get a new book. I remember that very vividly, because I was hurt that she didn't believe I'd read it. :(

I definitely get my love of reading from my mum - thanks mum! :D

[Kell]

Did anyone else have Flash Cards when they were little? I used to love those even when I was tiny - I think they were one of the main factors in my learning to read so early - we used to play with them all the time.

[Icecream]

Yes I vaguely remember that in the dim and distant past...

[Janet]

We didn't have flash cards (I'm too old!). We didn't do Janet and John either - I vaguely rememer Dick and Jane.

I couldn't read before I started school, but soon made up for that. My nickname, given to me by my dad, was Basil Bookworm - I always had my nose in a book!

[Sugar]

I have been told many times that when my mum was pregnant with my brother (I was 3) I read most of the Mothercare Baby Book. Looking back I can't really believe it, but I obviously spent a lot of time looking at it. I could read quite confidently when I started school, but as they felt everyone had to go through all the books, I had to work through the reading scheme. They were boring, and I'm glad they didn't put me off. I would completely understand now if they had!

[kitty]

Carnt really remember what age I was but I know I was quite young. I also remember working through all the reading books at school, plus the higher reading. Then I got to pick my own books from home. My favourite used to be Shirley Hughes books because I thought the pictures were so beautiful.

[Liz]

I remember trying to read the "LOOK" books.
It took me a while before I realised that it was more or less the same words on each page. I was a bit slow with that, I think. :lol:

[Ronny]

I don't remember when I started, but I think I was a slow starter. I know my parents had began to worry a bit (which is odd because they were not readers) had me tested with specialist and my dad started bringing home loads of books (the house had none prior to that) and I used them mostly for coloring in. I didn't really read for enjoyment until my parents divorce when I was 10 and I've had a book (or a few) close at hand ever since.

[mrstrecool]

I was reading by the age of 3. My mum is a big reader and encouraged me from very early. We used to sit and read the TV Times together! Then at school we had Roger Red Hat, Billy Blue Hat and Jennifer Yellow Hat!! I loved reading at school and was always sent home with extra books.
My favourites were My Naughty Little Sister books, Milly Molly Mandy, and Little Mrs Pepperpot. (I suddenly feel old)!!!
I feel like I've always been reading!

[Kell]

My favourites were My Naughty Little Sister books, Milly Molly Mandy, and Little Mrs Pepperpot. (I suddenly feel old)!!!
I feel like I've always been reading! I remember the My Naighty Little Sister books & also Mrs Pepperpot, but I have never once seen a Milly Molly Mandy book.

[madcow]

My sister used to read Milly Molly Mandy and My Naughty Little Sister books. She thought they were great.

[Purple Poppy]

Milly Molly Mandy....Oh Yes!! She was one of my absolute favourites and I still have her stored away in the cupboard. If I can find her Kell, I'll bring her along next time we meet up. I just loved MMM. Thanks for reminding me guys. I'm going to go and look for her NOW!!!
PP:006:

[Gyre]

I remember learning to read with the 'Topsy and Tim' books, remember those?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e10/weaveworld/15913.jpg

:mrgreen:

[Purple Poppy]

Yes, I remember those too. I bought alot of them for my kids. May have some of them still.

Been looking for MMM but can't find her. Found a couple of other treasures though. Ten Bobalink and Bunty Stories by Violet M. Williams, about brownie called Bobalink who makes friends with a distressed teddy bear called Bunty, who is gorgeous; and Ameliaranne Goes Digging, told by Lorna Wood.

I also found Little Black Sambo, by Helen Bannerman, first pub 1899, but our copy was early 70's. Probably not PC now.

Ring any bells anyone?

PP:006:

[Icecream]

I think I read my naughty little sister too. Should still have it somewhere..

[Purple Poppy]

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Catkintails/BobalinkandBunty2.jpg


http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Catkintails/Ameliaranne2.jpg

These certainly bring back the memories!!:cry:

[Sugar]

I remember learning to read with the 'Topsy and Tim' books, remember those?


One of my favourite quotes is from "Topsy and Tim go riding" or "Topsy and Tim go to the Gymkhana" or something equally horse, where Topsy is feeding the horse and has to admonish - "No, that is hair not hay!". With the long hair I had for most of my life, this came in very handy!

I don't recognise either of Purple Poppy's - and looking at the covers, I think I may be glad of that!

My other half would like to know if anyone else knew Alfie Atkins? I managed to track one down for him on abe books, and I don't think I have ever seen him look so happy. However, we can't find "Don't Touch the Saw, Alfie!" which was his fave so if anyone has it hidden in an attic, I am willing to pay....!

[Purple Poppy]

Sugar said

I don't recognise either of Purple Poppy's - and looking at the covers, I think I may be glad of that!


Aww!. I was only lickle, and its 45 years ago!!! :blush: :weeping:

PP

[lovesreading06]

i think i was 5 when i learning to read. I love topsy and tim books sometimes when i go in to a big book shop i pop down to the kids bit and read them still.

[Echo]

The first book I clearly remember reading by myself was The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss. I was on the school bus coming home and I was so engrossed in it, I almost missed my stop. I must have been in kindergarten, so I was probably around 6. Then I used to read all of the Little Golden Books, along with the Berenstain Bears. Wow, this does bring back memories! :mrgreen:

[Oblomov]

By "reading" I would take it to mean that one has to be able to read and understand what was being said. To be honest, I first did that in July 1960, when I was 4 years and 8 months old. It was a children's story - a Chinese folklore one translated to English and called "The Thief".

[lovesreading06]

did anyone remeber the spots books? Postman pat and fireman sam. i remeber have those books i think there belonging to my brother then got passed to me.

[FishAndChips]

For me it was Janet and John and I think I remember Peter and Jane books.

Look Jane Look
See the ball
Run spot run

:lol:

[Maureen]

I had Peter and Jane and Pat the dog. My son had the New Reading 360 series - they are good too, and he also used to love the Kipper , chip and Floppy series (Oxford Reading Tree) - the stories were excellent!

[angerball]

did anyone remeber the spots books?

I remember them!! My mum tells me that when I was a child, I used to read the Spot books over and over and over. :thud: :lol:

[Hazeltree]

I had Peter and Jane and Pat the dog. My son had the New Reading 360 series - they are good too, and he also used to love the Kipper , chip and Floppy series (Oxford Reading Tree) - the stories were excellent!

I remember reading Peter and Jane at school and my son has been reading the New Reading 360 series and the Oxford Reading Tree books this year at school - started last Sept.

I think Mum told me I was reading fluently before I started school at 4 1/2 and then started reading in a more stilted way when I heard other kids reading like that. I don't remember much about that time. I moved schools though when I was 6 and I do remember the teacher trying to find a book for me to read. I remember the conversation - "Have you read this?" "Yes" "Have you read this?" "Yes" "Have you read this?" "Yes" "Well you shouldn't have!" :lol: Then she gave me a book about an Ice Queen or something which gave me nightmares!

I don't remember a time when I didn't enjoy reading books and always having one (or several!) on the go - and I fell asleep over books from at least as early as 8 because I can remember which bedroom I was in! :D

[wrathofkublakhan]

I have an older brother and two sisters.
The big deal in our house was that we'd introduce new words into our conversations that we picked up while reading. It was a very smug thing to do and we'd always set it up with a pause, "she seemed rather ... nonchalant", sometimes holding a bit for a reaction. At times we'd go so far as to deliberately pronounce the word, "must you be ... os-ten-ta-tious?", which doubled back pretty well.
Since these were words picked up while reading, we'd often flub the pronunciation and get mocked or teased, or even worse; not really know the new word having inferred meaning from the context. Decades later, when this goofy family gets together we still brandish our vocabulary with alacrity at any opportunity.

A whole family full of readers; I grew up with piles of kid's books, comics, storybooks and even the beloved "baby books" with textures and holes and pop-ups.

[Merflerher]

I can very clearly remember desperately wanting to be able to read, at the age of three - watching my mum reading a book and knowing the print meant something but not being able to decipher it!:D I became an avid reader very soon and remember being terribly bored by the reading books we were given at school. I do know that at the age of 8 my reading age was 14, we were given tests and the teacher was so impressed she sent me to see the headmaster. I was given permission to choose books from the school library instead of working my way through the reading scheme stuff everyone else was lumbered with.
My earliest memories of books involve a series called Teddy Tar, little board books you could buy from Woolies, anyone remember them?

[Kell]

Isn't it funny how so many of us started reading very early and very quickly advanced to a reading age beyond our years?!:readingtwo::readingtwo::readingtwo: