Let Me Tell You a Story ...

Last week when I wrote about my youngest daughter Willa just beginning to learn to read, I mentioned my oldest daughter and her struggle to learn when she was in Kindergarten. Looking back at it, I suppose she didn't struggle much more than any other average 4- or 5-year old, but she also didn't "take off" the way most of her classmates did in the few years that followed.

In Grade 2, it was very difficult to get her to sit down to read to me, much less on her own. She hated the books her teacher sent home and the ones she chose from the library proved too difficult. It was discouraging for both of us. Then Grade 3 brought her an understanding teacher who introduced Neva to a collection of books the teacher thought would be good for her. The night Neva brought the first of the series home she was anxious, having taken a good three weeks to complete the last book she had read. But she went far beyond any of our expectations when she read the entire book in a two-hour sitting! She has since been devouring the rest of the series and has branched out into different authors and longer, more involved stories.

Although I love to read now, I wasn't an avid reader when I was young, other than during the summer months. (This has always surprised me since my parents and my older sisters were never without a novel on the nightstand!) So to see Neva beg to read "just one more chapter" before bed has me thrilled. It helps to remind me that, at her own pace, Willa too will become a good reader.

Happy sweeping!

Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com

M is for ...

The kindergarten teacher at our school has a special reading program for her students. Each Tuesday, a book bag is sent home with an easy reader, a story book and a duotang that holds poems they are learning in school. Our youngest daughter, Willa, who began Junior Kindergarten this fall, has seen her sister and brother bring these special books home all her life. So she was thrilled the day she brought home her first book bag.

Now, Willa wasn't old enough to remember Neva struggling to learn to read. But she has been aware of Milo's intuitive ability to read, sound out and spell. Naturally, she believed that being in possession of the revered book bag would magically turn her into a proficient reader. Thankfully she doesn't get frustrated with the reality of it all. But she will quickly cover my mouth if I'm helping her with something she remembers from the last time we read.

Still, she has begun the exciting journey through letter sounds and words, particularly the initial consonant sounds: "Duh-duh-duh...Daddy". In fact, the other day we were looking at things on my desk and, thinking of marker, I asked, "What begins with M?"

"Muh-muh-muh ... muh-muh-muh ... PENCIL!"

Happy sweeping!

Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com

Fair Trade?

The kids had a great time trick-or-treating last Friday. Part of what made it extra special was going out with their friends. It was fun for me too, because as I was left to organize the get together of the neighbourhood kids and parents, I volunteered all the dads to walk with the kids and invited the moms to have a glass of wine with me! Good times aside, at the end of the day, as always, I was overwhelmed by the indulgence and waste of Halloween candy. My three kids brought home 16 pounds (more than 7kg) of candy! (There's the indulgence.) Who can eat that much sugar?! (Well, the Halloweens I was pregnant with Milo and Willa, I took one for the team and plowed through all the chocolate bars. The things we sacrifice for the betterment of our children.)

So, first off Bob and I remove all contraband: hard candies, lollipops, toffees that get stuck in their teeth and things that are just gross to look at. That all goes in the garbage (there's the waste), but there still remains a copious amount. So a few years ago we adopted a deal our friend makes with her kids. I ask them to get rid of (ie. give to me) half of their loot in exchange for a small toy. In the past, it was like pulling teeth to get them to do it -- perhaps the same teeth that would have been pulled after eating it all? But this year I was really impressed with their will power. Neva, our oldest and usually the hardest sell, was particularly keen.

It had finally occurred to her that, "I got all this for free, but you had to buy the toy!"

Ah-ha! Very astute observation, I agreed.

So, just how long do you think I still have until she realises that the $3 toy I got at a half price sale is worth only a third of the value of the candy she just traded in?

Happy sweeping!

Kathleen Gunther
Editor, ContestHound.com