Teaching to read

Wow! Teaching to read! I honestly think that teaching to read any child is a challenge. I have taken the challenge to teach Tommy to read. So I am using mixed resources to teach Tommy to read because these teaching methods are easy, don't required much time and are fun. Because it is proven kids with Trisomy 21 learn to read and then they learn to speak, I have my hands on to help to Tommy to speak. The teaching methods I am using are:

• Technology. We have to admit technology makes our lives easier, so I have to take advantage of that to keep helping Tommy and keep working full time. I am using different sight reading apps. So Tommy and I can practice our sight works everywhere we go. There are special characteristics I look in the sight reading/flash-card apps, those are: an option to shuffle the cards, an option to present the flash-cards very quick, different presentations for the same work, incorporated sounds and an extensive variety of categories. Soon, Tommy will get his iPad, so it will take our teaching method to the next level. I am using BillKids app as our favorite app. 
• Improving Auditory processing with Phonic Awareness. Tommy's former Speech Therapist introduced the ZooPhonics to us for helping Tommy with his speech development and it has been working really good for him. It is proven that good speech is linked to good spelling. I am not into teaching Tommy phonics, but I am into train his auditory processing to distinguish sounds and Zoophonics is just perfect for it. The best his auditory processing is, the better he will pronounce speech sounds.

Other reason, I feel confident to teach Tommy to read is that he enjoys books since he was a newborn. His motivator when he was learning to sit it was "Books" instead toys. I have heard many comments from therapists, teachers and relatives how much Tommy loves books and how much he enjoys to be read. Lately, he has been interested in reading Spanish books. He picks the books from his book basket and hand them to me to read before bed time. So teaching him to read is the right thing to do for him. I am anxious to see how many words he will read in the coming months. I know Tommy recognizes some printed words and I am almost sure he can sight read some words he has picked up from reading, flash-cards, educational videos and school; but, I will be sure when the times comes. Meanwhile, I am just teaching and not testing.

If Tommy wouldn't have a genetic disorder, I will wait until the average age where kids learn to read. But I have done my search and I know learning to read is beneficial for him. Would I teach Francis to read at an early age? I don't think so, but it will happen because he is always around when I am doing play therapy with Tommy, so he will pick it by just being around.

Tommy showed earlier interest in books than Francis.

Francis is just starting to get interested in books.

I like the idea my kids like books because

books are the door for knowledge.