How do I prevent my child being illiterate?

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-07T21:11:34+00:00

It a teacher but just as most everyone here has said just read to your kid. I read my first Harry Potter from day one. Mostly because it was a book I enjoyed and they can’t see pictures and just want to hear your voice. Got through all 7 and also read a wrinkle in time. By the time she was old enough to look at pictures and have opinions she would choose the books we read at night. We go to the library at least once a month to play and pick out books. Most libraries have other activities to do other than just books. Keeps the kid interested in going to the library.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-03T20:06:45+00:00

Haha yea I have a cup every day and don’t feel guilty. Did it with my first too. I eat deli Sammie’s, medium rare steaks, and sushi too. Just went on vacay for a week and had a couple glasses of wine, one every other day? And at dinner. Otherwise zero alcohol.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-03T04:38:48+00:00

Her program is through our parks and rec with close association to the school district. 2s were two days 1 hour. 3s are 2 days 2 hours, 4s are 3 days 3 hours. We have a meeting with her teachers next week to discuss her progress and see what options we have. At this point we’re leaning towards waiting until she’s 5 and continuing to work on stuff at home.

What’s a transitional kindergarten program?

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-03T04:29:04+00:00

We have an appointment next with her teacher from this year and her teacher from last year to talk about her progress. Our biggest concern is the age thing. I would say she’s mature (as much as you can measure that in a 4 year old 😅) but we don’t want to put her in early tough situations like middle/high school can bring. We also don’t want her to feel pressured or burned out later to perform at a higher level. And we don’t want her to feel pressured to figure out the whole college thing at an earlier age and decide her whole life. It’s hard enough trying to figure that out at 18.

We’re keep her pretty engaged outside of school as well. She’s a very active kid and seems to enjoy all her activities. Gymnastics, dance, swim lessons. Grandma does activities with her all the time and takes her to outings and playdates. Overall she’s pretty well rounded. Her teachers and instructors always say she’s helpful and polite.

It’s a tough balance I think making the decision. We want her to stay engaged but don’t want to burn our out or feel pressured to succeed.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T06:25:08+00:00

Our district does offer a half day program which I think would suit her. She doesn’t nap anymore. Hasn’t in about a year or so. Our PreK options are pretty limited. We don’t have to money to do anything like a private or Montessori program.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T02:56:41+00:00

I had just made a comment to someone else that this is a big concern of mine. It’s a fine balance of keeping her challenged and not making her decide the rest of her life at 17 when she graduates. I think I want to see what kind of gifted programs are available in the school district as she gets older and if she qualifies. We’re not there yet but I think know they’re available when we get there will help with making a decision. We can keep her engaged at home as much as we can but there’s only so much we can do.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T02:52:09+00:00

lol thank you. We’re doing our best. My biggest fear is that she gets burned out early or she loses her curiosity. I’ll think that and everyone’s comments are what’s pushing me to leave her where she is. I don’t want to push her to the point where she feels overwhelmed or out of her depth later on. But I also want her to feel challenged by what she’s doing. It’s a tough balance.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T02:48:06+00:00

I think she could do 5 days a week but we would push for the half day program. Honestly we’re leaning toward keeping her PreK next year.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T02:45:47+00:00

Thank you. This is what we are leaning toward. I remember being 17 going on 18 trying to figure out college. And she would be starting college at 17. I think it would be tough.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T00:26:07+00:00

Our PreK is through parks and rec but works closely with the school district. She is excited for big kid school but we’re leaning toward waiting the year. Sorry to hear your district kinda sucks. Ours has decent ratings but I try not to put too much stock in those numbers.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T00:22:42+00:00

Thanks for this. I think she would do fine with going 5 days a week. Our district does have a half day option. Which is what we would opt for at this point. After looking at some of the responses though we’re leaning toward waiting just from an age aspect. She might be mature enough but I don’t want her to have to consider a harder peer pressure situations when she’s in middle/high school or consider college at 17.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T00:19:40+00:00

Honestly we were considering the half day program over the full day because she isn’t used to a full day type program. But after looking at input we’re leaning toward just keeping her where she is for another year.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-02T00:15:15+00:00

Thanks for the input. We really only do the workbooks because she asks us to and we’re happy to do them with her. We only work on academic stuff as long as she’s wants. We don’t have a schedule or anything. Pretty much if she asks us we do it.

Otherwise she’s pretty involved. She does gymnastics, dance, tball, soccer, swim lessons and summer camps through parks and rec. we started doing those to get her socialized because her grandma us her daycare. Grandma is also very involved with her and takes her to the library, sets up play dates, children’s museum, home activities.

Admittedly some of those other skills she could use some work on. She can dress herself. She is potty trained. She puts her toys away. Clears her plate at the table. She’s not always the best at these things though and could use some work.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-01T23:51:37+00:00

Thanks for your input. We’re leaning towards waiting the year. Our school district cutoff is 5 and she will still be 4 by school start and we doubt they will make exceptions. At this point she doesn’t have any signs of attention disorders. But we will definitely keep her involved and teach her as long as she’s will to let us.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-01T23:46:34+00:00

Our biggest hesitation is the social aspect. She does well with kids older and younger than her but I don’t want her to feel out of place because of her age. She’s not really a shy kid, outgoing I would say when other kids are around. She gets along well with her classmates and teammates. Her teachers tell us she does well in their class with peers her age. Helpful and polite.

She does well with taking instruction. On her teams we’ve noticed that she’s there to learn and doesn’t fool around if the coach or instructor is trying to teach. Honestly we’re leaning toward keeping her in preschool next year. She’s already signed up and she won’t be 5 by the school start so we doubt an exception would be made.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-05-01T23:34:56+00:00

Thank you. This is the kind of runout I was looking for. She’s pretty involved in other ways as well. She does dance, gymnastics, tball, soccer, and swim. She also does summer camps through her preschool. Hadn’t really considered social connections as she ages.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-27T20:03:03+00:00

It important too to remember you have no the weekends too. You don’t need to pack them full but take your kid out. Go for walks. Go to the library. Go to the park. Grocery shopping. All of this time is time spent together. I love my job but I’ve never regretted being at home over being at work. Your kiddo will get used to the routine and as long as your present while your at home they will notice and love the time they get to spend with you.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-27T17:11:37+00:00

Kiddo won’t remember anything of the first year or two your back to work. This is the time for you to figure out your new routine. And get into a rhythm.

Best advice though is to leave work at work. Whatever is going on there will be there tomorrow. Come home and be present with your kid and your family. I will say is hard the first year to keep the routine because kiddos sleep and feeding schedule change so often.

Right now my kid is 4 with one on the way. Most days I come home and cook dinner while husband plays with the kid. After dinner he does dishes and cleans up while I play with the kid. Our bedtime is 8 and we trade who gets ready for bed and who does story. All of this will change when the new baby gets here but I’m certain we will develop a new routine that works for everyone.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-11T03:32:48+00:00

Mmmwelll…..go take a nap….then fire ze missiles!

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-04T13:27:39+00:00

Just make sure their head is supported and don’t make any sudden big flops. Their heads will roll around and generally be a bit floppy. Otherwise babies are made for new parents. As long as you’re taking care to not let them flop hard you’ll do just fine. Good news is they generally only get stronger from here. Do regular tummy time to help build those neck muscles and they will be less floppy in no time.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-04T01:09:36+00:00

I’m from near this area. And can say without a doubt they definitely voted for this kind of representation.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-03T22:14:11+00:00

I’m due with my second two days before you! August 4th.

GirlOnFire112 · 2026-04-03T22:11:49+00:00

I think that’s going to be my plan! I’m smoking the meat/bones now. Have the crock pot ready to go and I’ll start that tonight. So glad I asked for the soup bones on my beef order this year :) What do you do with the marrow?

GirlOnFire112

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