The Benefits (And Unexpected Drawbacks) of Your Child Learning to Read

Since the beginning of the school year, my first-grader’s reading abilities have taken off dramatically. He went from hesitating to read aloud in class to enthusiastically identifying every word he encounters and confirming his understanding. It’s been incredible to see such growth in a matter of months. Although I never stressed about him lagging behind in some imaginary race for developmental milestones, it’s certainly rewarding to witness.

I’m eager for him to continue progressing, to read on his own, and to introduce him to some of my favorite childhood books. However, like any new skill your child acquires, there are some unexpected downsides. Here are the pros and cons of your child learning to read:

Pro: Peaceful Moments!

My 6-year-old has reached a point where he occasionally sits quietly engrossed in a book. This is akin to a miracle. I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful it is for him to 1) enjoy some solitude and 2) do it in silence.

Con: Spelling Woes

While I’m thrilled my son can read, it complicates my life a bit. With his reading comes spelling, which makes it harder to keep secrets. When he was younger, it was easy to discuss going to the M-O-V-I-E-S or the P-A-R-K. Now that he can sound out letters, I find myself fielding questions like “What’s ‘s-e-x’?” after a risky spelling session. Time to start texting from across the room!

Pro: The Joy of Books

Reading opens up an entire universe for kids. I can’t wait for my son to discover stories he loves, whether it’s the magic of Hogwarts, the adventures in Narnia, or the thrill of haunting tales from Stephen King (maybe the last two should wait until he’s older). I’ve already started sharing some of my favorite movies with him and look forward to diving into the world of literature together.

Con: More Stuff to Remember!

The amount of items I need to shove into my son’s backpack at night or frantically hunt for in the morning is already overwhelming—water bottles, assignment folders, gloves, and that one toy he insists on bringing to school. Now, I can add library books to that list. Ugh.

Pro: He Can Read!

Not only is reading an essential skill that impacts nearly every aspect of life, but it’s also incredibly enjoyable! Watching your child hit this milestone is thrilling. It will change his life in ways that are both subtle and monumental—some things he will take for granted, while others will be hard to imagine living without. Plus, it’s just plain fun! I’m excited for him to reap all the benefits.

Con: He Can Read Everything!

Including the TV channel guide and Netflix titles. Gone are the days of blissfully skimming past listings of shows like Ninjago and Rescue Bots. Now, my little guy can identify them all and insists on reading the descriptions, often leading us to waste a precious movie night on some ridiculous film about a snail racing in the Indy 500.

Like many milestones I eagerly anticipated—walking, talking, etc.—I’ve learned that reading is a double-edged sword. While it’s an essential step toward independence, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Thankfully, those newfound moments of “quiet time” make it all worthwhile.

For more insights, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re interested in furthering your knowledge, visit Make a Mom for authoritative information on home insemination kits. You can also read more about this topic in our other blog post.

Summary:

In summary, while the journey of your child learning to read brings exciting opportunities for growth and development, it also introduces some unexpected challenges. The balance of quiet reading time against the newfound complications of spelling and endless items to remember creates a unique experience for parents.