Literacy Day: A Small Story About Letting Children Lead



Reading is one of the most natural human inclinations. Some children begin sounding out words at two. Some begin at seven. Some leap in on their own; some need gentle instruction. The range is wide, normal, and healthy.

But enthusiasm is fragile.

My niece wanted to read in preschool. She asked. She was ready. Her teacher told her no — that’s first‑grade work. So she waited. And when first grade finally arrived, she looked around the room, saw the toys, and said, essentially, no thank you. “I wanted to learn last year. Now I want to play.”

She did learn to read — and she reads well — but it took longer than it needed to. Not because she lacked ability, but because her spark had been dampened.

On Literacy Day, that’s the reminder worth carrying:

  • Read to children.

  • Surround them with books.

  • Encourage curiosity.

  • And when they are ready — not when you are ready, not when the school calendar says it’s time — let them run.

  • Support them, follow their pace, and trust their timing.

Literacy grows best when it grows from joy,

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Read other posts about reading: MSI Press Blog

Read posts about parenting: MSI Press Blog

Read posts on literacy: MSI Press Blog


See MSI books on parenting, reading, literacy:

Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly, 10 Quick Homework Tips and 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents

Julia Aziz, Lessons of Labor 

Franki Bagdade, I Love My Kids, But I Don't Always Like Them 

Liz Bayardelle, Clean Your Plate and Parenting in a Pandemic

Emily Graves, How to Be a Good Mommy When You're Sick

Peter Jonas, Soccer Is Fun without Parents

Andrew and Kristin Wilcox, Andrew's Awesome Adventures with His ADHD Brain 


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