Mom's all over the world pride themselves on the fact that little Susie can say the alphabet at 18 months, how little Johnny knows all of his letter at 2. While at the playground that's about all I hear in fact. Starting conversations with random mommies is quite dangerous because before you know it you have heard every single thing that little Ian is capable of and everything that makes him brilliant, brilliant I tell you!
Now don't get me wrong, I do talk about milestones to close family and friends only, unless asked specifically . And really that's more because it's general conversation or it's family curiosity about what they can now do.
Yesterday I was slapped in the face realizing just what this whole knowing ABC's, pre-reading thing really means. This realization came shortly after my son declared he did not want to watch Diego because the animal they were rescuing was "only a butterfly"! WTF!?! What I wanted to say was that he should be grateful the tv is even on, but I digress, with a puking toddler I was not going to argue about tv. Instead I dutifully put on the guide to see what else was on. I gave him 2 choices: Diego or Super Why. I was a bit floored when he said (with tears welling in his eyes) "but you didn't tell me what the one with the T was"!! I'M. IN. TROUBLE. He is paying enough attention now that he notices these things and completely understands that all those letters aren't random, they actually mean something.
You know what this means. More meltdowns and more "but why?". Can I get a hoo-rah.
The previous lack of knowledge was great. It allowed me to omit the shows that weren't appropriate or the ones I am sick of seeing. I could simply give him 2 or 3 choices and that is that. He had no clue what was on the screen or what the words said, and frankly he didn't care! Over the past 6 months or so has come the realization that letters make up words and he has become obsessed with letters and what the letters say. He is constantly showing me his skills and pointing out various letters. Equally as often he is running over asking what this "says".
I realize all this is good, great even, but it's new territory for me! Things were much simpler before. I could limit the amount of arguments over tv, and toys, and anything else that he feels the need to argue about. Now I am going to have to be more careful when we look through the tv guide or when looking through a magazine. I am going to have to make sure to read everything that is there, even if it means some battles about tv shows. This is all just part of being a parent. Just when you think you have it all figured out they learn a new skill and you have to re-learn too! At least the second time around you're a bit more prepared... sometimes.
PS - I really am thrilled that he's gaining the pre-reading skills needed to grasp the whole reading thing once he is ready. He is at the age where things start to come together. Though this was a "holy crap" moment I was actually immensely proud because I knew what it meant.
PPS - I've also realized it doesn't really matter if little Johnnie knows all his letters at 2. Until they understand that letters are symbols for other things (words) than letters themselves have no meaning to the child. You
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