I think the greatest gift I've given Aidan is that agonizing year of phonics in Kindergarten. Before he would go to his Turkish preschool for the day we sat and worked on Sing, Spell, Read and Write curriculum. Conveniently, his neck hurt every time we came to the the blue work table in our basement. But I made him suffer through it and I'll never forget the smile on his face when he read his first book. I'll never forget the tears in Chris' eyes the day Aidan first read a verse from the Bible out loud. And now there is no stopping him.I recently heard someone say reading is a dangerous thing. It opens your eyes, changes your perspective, and can lead to risky unpredictable decisions. Previously content in ignorance, what happens when you're now confronted with knowledge of a situation or person that you can no longer ignore? What a beautiful danger and one that so many people miss!
It is devastating that illiteracy is high, but sadder still that so many people choose not to read when they very well could. Apparently, around 80% of American families did not buy or read a book last year.
I remember reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh with my Mom in 4th grade. She recently found my tattered comic book version and gave it to Aidan. How fun to see him devour it and not to hear any complaints of a sore neck!
1 comment:
Oh, Beth!
I loved the Rats of Nihm. I mean really really. How fun to see how our passions were alike even back in the fourth grade. :-)
Sometime in my early elementary years I had a teacher who made us read 20 minutes every evening as homework. By the end of the year, I was hooked and I have been ever since. You are so right. Those moments of struggle with Aiden were a great gift, indeed!
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