Aislinn is reading!

and she is ecstatic. She has told everyone she can think of either by phone, in person (even the librarian) or by hoping up in their lap and showing them!

Now I am suddenly feeling under prepared and so have spent our library time today scouring the shelves for reads that will help her strike forth with confidence, reads that will challenge her slightly, and reads that will engage her interest; all at the emergent reader level. (Wasn't that succesful so any recommendations gladly accepted!)

Aislinn has been on the brink for months (so you would think I'd have better prepared myself ) often sounding out words with very little difficulty, but was reluctant to turn her skills toward conquering a sentence. Then the other day, minutes before leaving for a visit to Grammie's I asked her if she would like to snuggle on my bed and take turns reading the words of a story. I think I read the first word on the cover, and once she realized she was able, took over reading the rest of the book. And then she read another one, and then she read them again, and then she read them to Jeff, and then Grammie, Grandad, Uncle Chris, and whoever else she could rope in. She had definitely reached the memorization point, but after a quick trip to Chapters to purchase the BOB books, I think it has given her enough variety that she has had to go back and follow the words again.

She has now read 8 of the 12 BOB (level 1) books plus "Zac the Rat" and "Dan can Add" and most of "Hop on Pop" (Dr. Suess).

Now to find the balance that will grow her confidence, maintain her enthusiasm, and keep the pressure off. (My struggle with her in any undertaking!)

And as a mommy moment -- nothing makes you feel more needed than the look in a child's eye when they glance over from across the room while reading to someone else just to reassure themselves that they still have your love and support.