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Question: My oldest just turned 6 in June. She is starting 1st grade this fall. I just got the Little Stories for Little Folks Phonics program. I noticed it said that she need have completed Level 1 in order to officially start 1st grade. I am trying to get her through Level 1, but she is not wanting to read the little books. I know she knows her alphabet and the sounds the letters make. I really do not want to keep her back in Kindergarten because I know she would be bored. We just recently moved (3 months ago) and we are just now getting settled into somewhat of a routine. Is this normal for her age and do you have any suggestions?
Answer:

AMDG+

Dear Parent;

It sounds as if you've been busy, between homeschooling and moving!

First, one of the great advantages of homeschooling is that the schedule can be adjusted to fit the child, rather than the other way around. Certainly, you can advance your daughter to first grade, while still working with her to 'catch up' in the phonics program.

If your daughter has mastered letter identification and knows all the letter sounds from Step One in the Parents' Guide, and has also mastered the pre-reading blends in Step Two, then she is definitely ready for the little books. So, it could be just a question of engaging her interest in 'doing the work.'

Following are a few ideas to help her settle down to work:

First, since the routine has been a bit upset in the past few months, it would be good to set definite times to sit with her and read, e.g., 10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You may wish to set a kitchen timer to ring five minutes before reading time. That way, she has time to transition between play that may have been engaging her interest, and her reading time. By scheduling a firm time, she will not only fall into the routine, but will also finish the series more quickly than if reading times are 'hit and miss.'

Second, stress that this is your special time with her; be as enthusiastic and praising as possible.

Third, the Parents' Guide has short discussion and reinforcement ideas for each story, which make the learning more interesting. After Book 6, Level One, your daughter can play the Silly Willy Sentences Game, providing yet another 'fun' reinforcement of what she learns in the little books.

Fourth, keep her reading time short at first--perhaps ten minutes--and gradually increase to fifteen or twenty minutes over the next few weeks.

Fifth, offer a reward of some kind. Perhaps she would like to make a simple bead bracelet, and could pick five special beads after each reading period to add to her bracelet. Or, she might be awarded a sticker for every book she finishes, with a rewarding activity, e.g., watching a favorite children's video, when she has earned three stickers.

Finally, many parents who have successfully used Little Stories for Little Folks report that their children enjoy reading the stories to Daddy, to a younger sibling, to a grandparent, or even to record to send to a grandparent. Doing so provides additional practice and happy confidence in reading and, as these methods are implemented, you may find that your daughter is finished with Level One by the time school starts this Fall.

May the Lord bless and guide you as you nurture your daughter.

Nancy Nicholson

   
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