Emerging Readers: Eager or Reluctant Learners

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Rosetta Stone. I received a product and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Emerging Readers: Eager or Reluctant; msalishacarlson.com/Learning to read can be fun, intimidating, and challenging for kids. It can be the same for the mom of a preschooler/Kindergartener too. “I need to learn to read,” my son kept telling me, pleading to do emerging reader activities. But even as a kid blogger with lots of kid blogger friends, I had absolutely no idea where to start.

Over the last couple years, I’ve done lots of finger reading with my oldest son. But sight words and reading activities made me nervous. Where do I start? Am I going to overwhelm the kid? Or teach him wrong? So I just didn’t do it and figured my son would learn in Kindergarten.

So you can imagine how my interest was peaked when I was presented with the opportunity to partner with the Rosetta Stone Kids Reading program.

Rosetta Stone Kids Reading program; msalishacarlson.com/

That’s not the whole story though…

My oldest son was chosen in the lottery for our school’s Dual-Language program! Over the next 6 years (Kindergarten – 5th grade) my son will be learning Spanish. 80% of his instruction is in Spanish. The other 20% which is English is mostly just music, art, and PE. My husband and I were gushing over the idea of him being fluent in two languages and all the opportunities that will come with it. Then it hit me… with 80% of his instruction in Spanish during perhaps the most formative year of his schooling, he won’t know how to read in English. Or spell. <insert mini mom freak out>

It was then confirmed by other moms whose kids are years ahead in the program, and by the teacher and principal… the dual-language submersed kids have a delay in reading and spelling for about two years. By second grade, however, they actually surpass their English-only peers in both reading and spelling. <ah, breathe again>

My son, the “shining star” in his class, refuses to be behind though. He wants to know it all and works his little bottom off to learn his letters, sounds, and sight words. (Oh yah, did I also mention that he has been in speech classes since 20-months old due to a severe speech delay?) So we work everyday after school on syllables, words, sounds, tracing and writing. And he rocks! (I’m only a little biased.)

Now insert child #2. He is completely UN-interested in learning. He loves his Pre-K class, but getting him to cooperate during at-home learning activities can be a pain in the tukus!

Having two boys who are on opposite ends of the learning spectrum would really put Rosetta Stone to the test and be a learning experiment for our family. So I was glad to check out the program.

Backup… sorry I didn’t tell you this sooner, Rosetta Stone Kids Reading program introduces and reinforces core reading skills in engaging, self-paced interactive learning experiences personalized for each child. Designed to help kids become confident, successful readers – and develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime, the program uses games and activities through phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

 

So here’s how it went:

First of all, both boys LOVE Rosetta Stone Kids Reading!

 

My Kindergartener…

was a little reluctant at first. “I already know how to read,” he stated a little irritated that I suggested a learn to read program for him. He quickly changed his tune after trying it out though. He loves a challenge so having levels for each learning activity is perfect for him! And it showed me areas we need to focus on more for his reading skills. While he knows his letters and sounds, distinguishing English versus Spanish vowel pronunciation sometimes proves challenging for him. The first application he tried was segmentation of sounds. It was definitely a struggle for him. Sitting next to him and afraid he would get frustrated, I helped him sound out the words again. However, after two wrong guesses, the program gave a kind tip on how to sound out the syllables for the right word and kept him moving forward with a smile on his face after completing each level. While he struggled with the first level, he absolutely (and independently) rocked the second level giving him the confidence and encouragement to keep going!

Rosetta Stone Connor

My 4-year old reluctant learner…

was thrilled to have a game that he could play. He tends to give up on or tire of an activity fairly quickly. He stuck with the program longer than I thought he would… and asked to play his game again! He is still in the pre-reading stage, learning the letters and their sounds. The best part for him is that he doesn’t realize he’s learning, he’s just having fun!

 

As a mom…

I liked the fact that Rosetta Stone Kids Reading was personalized for each child, working with them at their level and as a result, making them feel a sense of accomplishment. While I didn’t have to hold their hands, per say, on the program, I did stay close to help when they felt stuck. I want them to be confident in their attempts at reading. I want them to want to read. And I really felt they came away feeling good about their experience with the program which makes me happy.

 

 

Would I recommend Rosetta Stone Kids Reading? Heck ya! Any program that challenges my overachiever and keeps my reluctant learner intrigued is at the top of my list. I am thrilled to see their progress already and can’t wait to watch them continue to move forward in their reading journey!
Alisha

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTW… you can try out Rosetta Stone Kids Reading program FREE! Give your child the gift of reading!

Alisha

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