Milestone: Page-turning

I enjoy watching my boys grow and develop. They are gaining more physical, social, and verbal competence every day. But the steps my children take towards literacy are more exciting (to me) than any of the traditional developmental milestones. I love to read and I am so elated when I see my boys engaging with books.

Last week, Carl started turning the pages during story-time. I know that he has been capable of turning pages for a while now but last week he started doing it routinely, correctly anticipating when it was time to do so. When I would finish reading the words on a page, he would reach out and grab the next, turning it slowly to see the next picture and hear the next words.

I think he likes to set the pace of the reading. Sometimes he looks at a picture long after I have finished reading the corresponding words, seeming to study every detail before flipping on. Other times he can hardly wait for me to finish reading the text, he is so eager to see what comes next. Mostly, though, he takes a very ordinary pace through the book, turning pages right after I finish reading.

This all makes story-time so much more fun. I love to see Carl engaged with it, participating and enjoying rather than passively allowing reading to happen.

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