Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Halifax, NS

The month long look at preschoolers and books is drawing to a close, here at the Savvy Source. I have to admit I have learned a lot and have many new books on my list to read. There are so many books to discover.

My preschooler is preparing to read. She is starting to recognize words, like cat and understand that hat and bat are similar. Recently she has begun (with my assistance) to sound out words on the page. She creates letters in the snow, with her food and sees them everywhere. This development has been snow balling, for up until recently she really had no interest.

Now I am not sure where to go next with it. Up until now I have been very casual and non teaching, allowing her to learn through play. Yet there is a part of me that wants to whip out flash cards, start "Schooling" her, drilling her and help her to that point where she can start to read. Somehow I am sure that is not the method to learning, yet the urge is there.

There are many parents that are really intense about their child's learning. It is hard to be around them and not wonder if I should be pushing my preschooler more. Then I have fabulous friends that are wonderfully free and not pressure intense that keep me grounded. I would like to get the BOB books to spark her interest but I am not sure when I should.

Did you "teach" your preschooler to read? How? How did you know when the time was right to take the next step?