- Share This Post
- Pin It
- 4
-
Sparkle (0)
I still remember the moment I learned to read.
Someone, I don’t remember if it was my mom or a teacher, had been going over and over the alphabet and simple words with me. I think I’d even memorized some small words by sight. I was also sounding out words at that point too. Still, I just didn’t understand that when you put all the letters and words together that they actually conveyed meaning—that they were adifferent kind of language than talking.
One day sitting on my bunk bed, on top of the blue bedspread of my childhood, I started to look at a “big persons” book. Something just “clicked” and all the foundation work that my mom and teacher had done came together. I got it. I understood that words strung together made up stories and those stories could be about ANYTHING! This particular story was about the marvel of bridges. I was elated and thrilled. I felt like I’d won the lottery.I’ve been reading books voraciously ever since that moment.
I don’t remember now if my mom read to me at night. I’m the youngest of five so I’m not sure how much time she had to do that. My sister might have been the one to read to me. Still, I just can’t remember being read bedtime stories. What I do remember is that my mom always had at least one book on her nightstand. I remember watching her read—a dictionary by her side to look up unfamiliar words. Mom is 83 now and her nightstand is stacked with books to be read. She also goes to a book club meeting once a month.
I’m sure I must have her to thank for my love of books. I don’t remember if she encouraged me to read or if I just picked it up by osmosis. I grew up surrounded by books and today I surround myself with them. My life would not be the same without a good book to read.
Do remember learning to read? Did someone inspire you toread as a child? I’d love to hear about your memories of being read to as achild or how you learned to read.
