Elijah has actually learned M, A, P, S, T & B now. He sees a letter on TV and starts freaking out yelling, “I see a T mom, right here!” We have started blending some words (family member names) if I have all the letters. I have discovered that he needs the same letter lesson twice, maybe three times in a row. Then he recognizes the letter every time he sees it. I was also told not to worry about him writing the alphabet yet. I was just wondering what age that should be started. The reason I have started him on the road to reading is because he needs challenges and is very smart. We buy him puzzles (24 pcs.) and he can put them together in less than a minute without stopping to look at the box or where a piece goes.

I’m glad to hear you’re having such great success. Repeating a lesson two or three times until he retains it is just wonderful. I’m glad you’re adjusting to meet his needs. Way to go MOM! At 3 years old, he should be able to start holding his pencil and be able to copy simple letters. Don’t worry too much about shape and accuracy here at the beginning, just let him hold the pencil and write. You DO want to concentrate on holding the pencil properly as that will help him hold it longer without tiring his little hand muscles. Copy his name on a paper—Elijah—and let him copy it everyday. You can find great writing paper at your local school supply store, or even purchase some from your local elementary school. Let him write his name as often as he wants to, but at least once a day. Then as his abilities increase, add the letter writing parts of his reading lessons. You can also add simple words like “mom,” “dad,” etc., just as practice. Good luck!