Jared is reading. Yep. 4 years old and he’s sounding out words more easily than Ethan did a year ago. I can only guess that when he was learning his letter symbols over the last year and a half, he was also hearing Ethan learn the sounds they make and the phonics process. I am amazed at how well this is going for him. I didn’t push him at all; he just started showing an interest!

He does really well at school. Teacher Leslie, whom I think is a great teacher, has expressed high praise for two things he has done already this year. One day he helped her count “jewels” they were using to decorate sand castles at school – she was very impressed that he counted all of them – 91. On another day she was very impressed with his fine motor skills as she watched him open and close the safety pin on his name tag.

Jared is very capable of sitting quietly during group time and soaking it all in. He participates beautifully.

Teacher Nancy, last year, called him a little scientist with those acute observing skills. Perhaps I have already blogged that. Next week, he starts pre-k. Ethan never had pre-k – he just had play-based all the way until kindergarten. But Ethan also had more hours of school per week, and this pre-k gives Jared an extra 3 hours per week. I know Jared will enjoy the extra curriculum.

Will Matthew start reading when he’s 3?