3 y.o. DS "reads" books -is that normal or advanced?

[lecach]

Just to preface this - we are not the type of parents that thinks everything that our 3 y.o. DS does is special. Occasionally he'll do something silly and we whisper to each other "no scholarship for him!". But he's currently doing something that to us seems pretty smart. We're just wondering if its normal or maybe advanced.

DS loves all of my old Golden Books. Especially one called The Wonderful School. Most of these books are around 16 or so pages. After we read one a few times DS can go thru the book page by page and "read" them to us. He doesnt miss a word. He can do this with at least a dozen books. Clearly he's just memorizing them, but he memorizes them so very fast. Is this normal? I don't feel comfortable asking any other parents IRL because I don't want to compare my child to his friends. I don't think my DS is better than anyone else. I'm just curious.

I really hope I don't get flamed for this.

 

[CraftyCrissy]

I think its normal. I think it shows that you read to him alot - which is fantastic. You're teaching him to love reading and learning. He's probably picking up on very basic sight words within the context of those particular pages.

Good job, Mom!

---Cris (I'm a teacher!)

 

[momof3littlelilos]

Our DD3 does this with books we've read to her (over and over and over again...Thomas The Tank Engine books are her thing.)...her older brother and sister did also...
and of course they're all above average, why even ask?

 

[Disneymoon]

I currently teach special needs preschool for a public school, but have also worked with typically developing preschoolers in the past. I have come across children that are quickly able to memorize books and repeat them back to others. Many of the texts in beginning books are rhyming or have a lot of repetitions that makes this "easier" to do.

I think your child definitely has great auditory memory skills

 

[TaraZ]

My 2 yo DD has the same thing. It's so fun-- she loves reading!

 

[lucigo]

Just to preface this - we are not the type of parents that thinks everything that our 3 y.o. DS does is special. Occasionally he'll do something silly and we whisper to each other "no scholarship for him!". But he's currently doing something that to us seems pretty smart. We're just wondering if its normal or maybe advanced.

DS loves all of my old Golden Books. Especially one called The Wonderful School. Most of these books are around 16 or so pages. After we read one a few times DS can go thru the book page by page and "read" them to us. He doesnt miss a word. He can do this with at least a dozen books. Clearly he's just memorizing them, but he memorizes them so very fast. Is this normal? I don't feel comfortable asking any other parents IRL because I don't want to compare my child to his friends. I don't think my DS is better than anyone else. I'm just curious.

I really hope I don't get flamed for this.

Do a google search for hyperlexia.

 

[tjlovespooh]

Completely normal Many children who are read to often have the knack for memorizing/"reading" favorite stories on their own. My own DS(2) does the same thing with many of his books. And you're absolutely right, it doesn't take long for them to memorize it. He usually starts by just recalling when to turn the pages for me while I read it and before I know it he's sitting down to "read" the story to his "friends" (pooh bear and ernie ). It really is adorable to listen to him too - I crack up almost every time he gets to the end of the book "Olivia" when the little pig is bargaining with her mom about how many books to read before bed - too funny and he never misses a word!
Just know that yes it is normal and it's a great step in the right direction for his future desire to learn to actually read.

 

[bumbershoot]

Memorizing and reading it to you is part of the process of learning to read.

To experiment, give him a simple book that he has NOT been read from before, and see if he can actually read.

I started reading at 2. Picked up a newspaper and started reading it to my mom. Freaked her right out! THAT was early (and my eyesight certainly paid for it b/c I'm a voracious, won't look away from a book until it's done, reader), but if he's "just" (ha ha, "just", it's a big deal!) memorizing the books I would say that's on the normal side.

Although I also must say that the process of reading can take a long time. People talk about reading before kindergarten sometimes, and I've read posts elsewhere by people very pressured for kids to learn to read before any school, but really, some kids learn much later, and it's just fine.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My 3 year old does this too. He now has about 10 words he can read out of context.

I find it interesting that so many people think this is normal. It is normal for those of us who read to our kids every day AS WE SHOULD! But, I did some work in a poverty area and this was not normal there. In fact, a lot of kindergarteners did not even know their colors. So, hooray to all the Dis parents who read to their kids!!

 

[crisi]

Normal - as K&K's Mommy said though - its normal in households where books are noraml. Its a great pre-reading skill. It should also help you realize how quickly those little sponges absorb information at this age - don't mention anything sensitive to them because it will stick after one or two times and they'll be able to parrot back exactly what you told Daddy about his no-good sister.

The other thing to remember is that if you start reading at two or six - chances are pretty good neither is a sign of exceptional genius or a learning disability. It evens out pretty fast as kids get older. Which isn't to say some kids aren't smarter than others - but it doesn't always turn out to be the ones that showed up reading in Kindergarten that are the validictorians as Seniors.

 

[tjlovespooh]

Although I also must say that the process of reading can take a long time. People talk about reading before kindergarten sometimes, and I've read posts elsewhere by people very pressured for kids to learn to read before any school, but really, some kids learn much later, and it's just fine.

Absolutely! Most early readers and later readers level out at some stage. What is it they say, by 3rd or 4th grade? Kids who get an earlier start aren't neccessarily always going to be so far advanced compared to their peers.

 

[lecach]

Just so everyone on the DIS doesn't think we're great parents - we really don't read to him that much. If he asks for us to read we will. But when he was small we never read to him. And we don't read at bedtime either. The books he has are primarily my childhood books or books that others have given him. Most of what he knows (colors, numbers, etc) has come from daycare. Really, we're slackers

lucigo: I googled hyperlexia and he does not exhibit any of the other traits.

 

[teresajoy]

I'm going to go against the flow here and say it. I think that's pretty darn good! To memorize every word of several books like that is VERY good! I would call that advanced! I read to my kids a lot, and while Lydia has a very good grasp of the story, and gets most words right she doesn't get every one right all the time. I think you have a smart little cookie on your hands!

 

[dunbarfamily]

Hmmm...my three year old memorizes stories, but only after we've read them a few times. I think that children at this age, and really, any age are all over the board with their abilities. I think it's great that you have books in your home, regardless if they are yours from your childhood, if others gave them to him, or if the blue fairy dropped them off one night. Even if you don't read him 27 books each weekday, and 50 on the weekends, the point is books are there. So many children lack that basic part of early learning and it is sad.

No, you're not bad for not reading at bedtime. I'm the bad one....my 10 month old only gets a bath about once a week!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I'm with the above poster, pretty darn impressive!

My DS5 started "reading" around 3.5 but he was just memorizing not really reading. However, I used it to encourage him and DD7. DS loves books and HAS to have a story (or 2 or 3) everynight. DD was not the least interested in stories and more often than not would tell me NOT to read to her.

DD has been struggling in school and requires a lot of extra support with reading. I'm praying what other posters said about things leveling off happens soon!

DS listens in a lot with DD's reading assignments and will often yell out the word she is struggling on. Sure makes her mad!

I'm sure your DS is a very bright lil guy, encourage that! Use it as a way to help him get a leg up before school starts. Its much more fun for you if they are interested and like to read!

 

[lecach]

No, you're not bad for not reading at bedtime. I'm the bad one....my 10 month old only gets a bath about once a week!

When DS was that age he only got a bath twice a week. Now, during the winter, he only gets one every other night. Sometimes we skip 2 nights. I say it's due to the water shortage (we're in a severe shortage here in NC) but it's probably closer to laziness . I dread the summer when we have to bathe him every night.

 

[GraysMom]

I agree that it's pretty normal if you read to your children a lot. DS3 has been memorizing and retelling stories since he was 2 1/2. DH was actually reading whatever you handed to him at 4, so it doesn't freak me out much. I love to read so hopefully DS will too (also so we can have some quiet time in the house when he's a teen ).

 

[tlbwriter]

The other thing to remember is that if you start reading at two or six - chances are pretty good neither is a sign of exceptional genius or a learning disability. It evens out pretty fast as kids get older. Which isn't to say some kids aren't smarter than others - but it doesn't always turn out to be the ones that showed up reading in Kindergarten that are the validictorians as Seniors.

True. I started reading at age 3 and while I'm smart (trust me! ) I am not a genius, nor was I ever the smartest kid in high school.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

No, you're not bad for not reading at bedtime. I'm the bad one....my 10 month old only gets a bath about once a week!

Don't worry...you're not alone on that one!!! I have a 4 month old who doesn't see bathtime much more often than that.

 

[StephMK]

I know repeating is normal but that sounds advanced to me. The length & word for word repeating would make me think that's more than just typical retelling. Of course, I have no teaching degree or professional exp. on milestones but have worked w/preschoolers.

My son wasn't "taught" either but started reading a little at age 3 & beating his sis (then 5) at words. He was reading consistently at 4 & in K this year, was testing as reading & comprehending at a 4th grade level. He goes to the reading specialist while his class works on their letters. I told his teacher we couldn't take credit, he just observed while we worked w/his sis (who still has some trouble reading) and he picked it up on his own. We knew he could read but never really considered how well or how much he was picking up.

So yeah, I'd be proud of your guy & keep an eye on him because he may very well have some advanced skills.