My Boys' Path to Reading!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyLiteracyStory #DGMyStoryEntry #CollectiveBias

I can't believe my second little boy is now in first grade and in the thick of learning to read! I want to share with you a little bit about my experience with my boys' reading journeys and why i'm not worried about them being "late readers."

I am sharing our personal literacy story today to promote Kellogg's® and their support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation! At the end of this post I'll be sharing more or you can click on this link to find out how you can enter the #DGMyStory Sweepstakes to win a $50 Dollar General gift card by sharing your story as well!

Roman started public school halfway through the school year in Kindergarten after being homeschooled. (Long story...) He has always been a bright child and during homeschool he would ask questions like, "is lightening a solid or a gas?" He caught on well in public school but reading continued to be a struggle. In first grade he was still lagging behind in reading. During parent/teacher conferences, we would talk about his reading "issues." 

Fast forward to second grade when one day his teacher pulled me aside after school. He asked me what we had done with Roman over the summer because after their state reading test, Roman ended up with the 2nd highest score in the class! We definitely did not stick to a rigorous reading plan over the summer or hire a tutor but I was not surprised that Roman had finally caught on with reading and was beginning to excel. Roman in now in 4th grade and loves reading. He is also participates in an advanced reading class with gifted students.

I feel like so many of us as parents worry and stress that our children aren't at the level that they "should" be when in reality ALL children learn at different rates! Both of my boys took to science and math quicker than they took to reading. They have wild, active and curious personalities. Sitting down to focusing on books didn't come naturally at age 5; why should it?

Now little Asher is in first grade; can you believe it? At the beginning of this school year, his teacher tested him on which sight words he knew. Asher only knew 2 or 3... When she assessed their reading level, he ended up on the lower end of the spectrum. A fellow mom at school asked me about Asher's reading level because she was concerned about her son's results. (Her son was at a level higher than Ash!) I shared with her my story about Roman and expressed my feelings that being behind now doesn't necessarily reflect where a child will be in a couple years. I have already seen Asher grow in leaps and bounds since he was tested and I have no doubt that he will end up an excellent reader like his big brother!

Here are a few things that I'm keeping in mind this year as Asher continues learning to read:

Provide Encouragement!

I feel like providing encouragement is one of the most important things we can do as parents! I try my best to notice my children's successes and celebrate them. When Asher points out the word "the" on one of my books or randomly recites the vowel song he's learning at school, I try to make him feel like the smartest boy in the world. :)

Find Reading All Around Us!

We have a book shelf right in our front hallway filled with books that are available for the boys to read. I also like looking for little ways to sneak in reading all around us. Asher doesn't really notice that we're reading when I'm pointing out signs on the road or reading cereal boxes with the boys at breakfast. 

I love that we are partnering with Kellogg's on this post because my kids are big cereal eaters! We went to the Dollar General to pick up four of their favorite Kellogg's cereals to support The Dollar General Literacy Foundation: Frosted Flakes®, Froot Loops, Frosted Bite-Size Mini-Wheats and Rice Krispies! Which cereals are your household favorites?

My kids are always sitting at the counter in the mornings eating cereal and it's the perfect time to get in a little reading practice!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!

As I've shared, I am not worrying about Asher being a "late reader" like his brother. I know that he will catch up and I am focusing on doing what I can to encourage him and simply enjoying every day of his first grade sweetness! When did your littles ones learn to read?

.

.

Kellogg's is a proud sponsor of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Every day, Kellogg employees work together to fulfill their vision of enriching and delighting the world through foods and brands that matter. Kellogg's is committed to providing 2 billion Better Days through 2025 through initiatives that feed people and their potential. 

Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for over 75 years through its mission of Serving Others. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is celebrating over 20 years of helping individuals learn to read, prepare for their high school equivalency, or learn English. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $140 million to nonprofit organizations and schools that have helped more than 9 million individuals advance their literacy and basic education skills.

Click here to learn more about this literacy initiative and to enter the #DGMyStory Sweepstakes by sharing your literacy story with the hashtag #DGMyStoryEntry for a chance to win a $50 Dollar General giftcard!

Hover over the image below to shop if your little ones are cereal lovers like mine!