Teaching Reason (to Children)

[thesummerqueen]

I was already reading full novels when I was in 2nd grade, and it greatly influenced how I looked at the world. I've always figured this to be a surefire route to getting my child to think outside the box, as it worked with me (and obviously with you).

Speaking of broadening vocabulary, this has been a huge stumbling block for my daughter, as my ex doesn't really read to her at home, but instead gives her an iPad to play on all day long. No learning games really: just a bunch of silly apps to help my daughter pass the time and leave mommy alone. I'm more worried about her than I am about any future children I may have with my current wife. I do my best to read to her over Skype, but her attention span is so limited at four, and since her vocabulary is also small, she can't fully express to me everything she wants to say.

All three of us could read before we were in Kindergarden.

I'm not sure about your relationship with your ex, but if it's good enough to suggest something, maybe some vocabulary games? Both parents have to be on board during formative years in order to ingrain the love of reading, so I would suggest talking to her about it (as reading is another way to get kids to "leave you alone") and asking her to really push this, citing all the later benefits it would entail.

I wouldn't worry too much about the fact that she doesn't have the vocabulary YET, because that can be improved. My sister suffered from horrible ear infections and couldn't express herself or speak very well when she was a child, but completely recovered with speech therapy, and with books. She even taught my brother to read when she was only 9.

And you know why he learned to read? Baseball. He LOVED baseball. He wanted to be able to read the sports page. Go figure.

There's always an "in" - find it, and get your ex and your wife on board, and you'll never regret it.