Teach Your Child To Read in 101 Easy Lessons {lesson #1}

Several months ago, I purchased this book online (I know-I ACTUALLY made an online purchase independently...look at me, I'm growing) which uses the DISTAR method for teaching reading. I used to be pretty anti-DISTAR myself, because it is HIGHLY structured, and offers little variation in instruction...not really how I roll. I use a more existential approach in teaching and raising my children. I want them to feel free to explore the world around them and learn though experiences, rather than seated, versed instruction.
WHY? Well because it is more fun, of course! I do believe in flash cards, but why use only flash cards to teach a child about letter "F" when you can take them to the Fire station, play with a plastic Farm or read a book about Friendship? Flash cards only teach that F says "ffff", and it pretty much ends there until the child begins to put sounds together and recognize words.

My problem with DISTAR is not with the material itself, but HOW it is presented to the child. It is basically a phonics method-which is great, but based on the principle that reading is a learned skill and ONLY comes through seated instruction using fast paced, scripted lessons and immediate correction of mistakes. I feel like the love and fun of learning is left out of the process and children aren't allowed to grow from any personal experience other than a memory of sitting with the individual who taught them to read. Where is the excitement there?

But Reese wants more. She LOVES the trips we take and activities to do, but she is ready to start reading and writing. While I think my approach has served my children well so far, I feel something lacking with Reese. She craves structure. Her desire to learn and be taught is there and she WANTS to sit and be instructed.
I want her to be able to gain knowledge from every situation she finds herself in, whether it is through exploring and building with sand at the park, or at a desk with a workbook. Both can be effective methods of learning. I am all for structure, I just want to make sure my kids are enjoying the learning process, not dreading and loathing it.

I've decided to inroduce reading lessons into Reese's schedule. I chose the DISTAR method over a few other phonics methods because of the attention paid to detail. I think Reese will do well with this. Other methods leave children guessing a lot, or only able to read words that all rhyme and look alike (ex: mAtt the cAt is mAd at the bAd rAt). As long as she is craving the 1 on 1 structured lessons where I pump her with information and she spits it back out and is doing it with pure joy and enthusiasm...I'm going to go with it. She feels good about herself Why deprive her of learning because I don't care for the "Sit and Listen" approach? I am a stay at home mom for this reason-so I can be the one to raise my children. I have the time to do just that, if SHE wants it, she can have it.

My goal is to do a few lessons a week, and continue on with our regular activities and fun "mommy stuff" that we usually do. I am hoping that the crazy scripted (YES, it is actually SCRIPTED. I read the red text and only the red text out loud, and add praise for successful effort) immediate correction approach will somehow integrate nicely with our hands on crazy fun that my children are accustomed to. Hopefully, Reese will grow from the good parts of the DISTAR method and learn to love a classroom setting, increase her attention span and ability to focus and stay on task-rather than losing interest when the task becomes difficult, and of course...learn how to read-or at least get a head start.

Lesson 1 went well today. I can say that there are already a few things I don't like about the program, but Reese is eating it up, so I'm going to give it a go. I realize it will get more difficult for her at some point to remain patient with herself, but as long as her frustration does not cause her to dislike reading, we will continue.
Here is a sample of her hard work:
If she is learning and happy, then I am happy.