Learning to Read

As someone who is new to unschooling and a veteran of the public school system, and I use 'veteran' rather than 'alumni' because it could be paralleled to warfare on some level, I am finding it difficult to just sit back and let the process of reading "just happen". I read to my children daily. My children are exposed to the written and spoken word a lot. We are well-known at the library. There are books strewn across every floor in our home.

I watch my oldest carefully. He has great letter and sound recognition. He can spell a few words and can guess how to spell others by sounding them out. I know he's "right there" and it's really difficult to just sit back. The teacher in me, the veteran in me and the "enough already" mother in me wants to sit him down at the table and teach that boy to read! Plus, he has really good penmanship for a four-year-old. It's actually a little unnerving that he takes that much care in his penmanship...

Then I look at my middle child. He's almost three. He can also sound out the letters in words, although not always in the correct order. He can write some letters, too. He writes the letter M like a sideways E. It really is terribly cute. I have not done any formal instruction with him. I did with Eli a bit before I knew what unschooling was. But, Odin...he's completely unschooled...and thriving in it. It's really amazing to see.

I feel like I'm holding my breath when it comes to my children reading. I know they are learning...and yes, they are still very young. On this unschooling path I am still unsure and waiting to...fail. I am waiting for a concrete sign that Yes! this is what I am supposed to be doing. I have done my research and talked to those who unschool and have unschooled for the life of their children. I know it is the path for me and my family. And still, I waiver...