I take literacy for granted. Like walking, I don’t really remember not having that ability. When was it not effortless? But I suppose it’s the same for most people. Before I ever went to kindergarten, my mother made sure that I knew how to read. My parents had high expectations for me, and maybe that’s why my sister always claimed I was the golden child. At least until I turned fourteen or so.
I remember learning phonics through charts and flashcards she made. I had to learn every syllable by ear.
“Sound it out,” she commanded if I struggled with a vowel or diphthong or consonant.
But it was never a chore for me, I loved it. I’m not sure if it was reading words that motivated me or the desire to please. I remember eating up the praise she gave me.
Mom made it fun. Each sound had an animal printed on the over-sized flashed card. A horse for the “ch” sound, a badger for the “sh” sound, and so on. I would sound out parts of words for days over and over. One day it must have clicked when I was able to put the sound together and create words.
And so that is how I learned to love to read before the first day of kindergarten.
Fast-forward to eighteen years later. I work at a cell phone store, so Mom does not see the need to read a phone manual. When I finally convinced her to learn to text, she turned into a challenging customer. Mothers always know best. Even when they come to you for help.
“No it’s your turn Mom,’ I hand the phone to her, after several demonstrations on how to send a text.
“Where do I go again?” she wrinkles her forehead.
“Go to the part that says ‘messaging’,” I unsuccessfully attempt to keep the annoyance out of my voice. I wander why it’s much more difficult to be patient with my mom than an irate stranger, waiving their phone in my face.
“Ok, why is it only giving me numbers? How do I switch it to letters!” She exclaims, exasperated.
“Well, it’s giving you numbers because that’s the section that says ‘add contact.’ To type the message, you need to scroll down to the giant box that says, message.”
Mom gazes at me steadily with that look that -once-upon-a-time- struck fear into my heart.
“Forget it! This phone is clearly too complicated. The only reason I’m trying to learn this is for you anyway!” She throws the phone down on the end table.
And so my mother learned that it’s best to just read the manual.
6 Comments
A good story about reading, I can’t seem to remember that far back unfortunately. A little short, maybe throw in some filler stuff, more detail on the flashcards, or describe the kind of praises you got from your mother.
well it was very nice of your mother found a way to make it easier for you to learn. Some people have trouble learning things the way that they are suppose to be taught and need to find other ways to get there brain to want to do what is at hand, even though the other way may sometimes be harder then the original way.
I like the story, it seems like your Mom made learning to read fun for you by using the animal flash cards. You made need to make the story longer in order for it to last 2.5 minutes.
Good idea to include two voices in your script; having a second voice to play the part of your mother is sure to add interest to your audio piece.
The scene in which you describe reading flashcards is creative as well. The sounds ‘ch’ and ‘sh’ will be nice sound effects.
The opening paragraph is easy to relate to. I do take those things for granted, and the memories of learning to read and to walk are lost to me.
The closing sentence is just lovely. It is short and sweet, like kindergarten.
As for your entire story, I found the idea of learning to read as a pivotal moment in your life. Record keeping marks the start of history. Your mastering of a writing system marks the start of your personal history.
So, I liked it!
Learning through phonics seems to be a recurring theme in this class. I think the subject opens a lot of possibilities for you. I can imagine have a background track of someone sounding out words or practicing syllables. I also think the pacing that you suggest will lend itself well to audio forms. It has this fragmentary quality that opens space for audio transitions (bumpers). I do think you need to add a bit more to this story to round it out. For example, why was it so important for your mother that you knew how to read before you entered school? Is there some family history that could explore? Or maybe you could flash forward to your experiences with reading and writing now; suggest how these early experiences have impacted your life in ways more specific than a love of reading.
I really like how your essay explores not only how you learned to read, but your relationship with your mother. It’s easy to connect with, and it’s funny. I have something similar in my narrative, and I was thinking that I would interject my mother’s actual voice into the audio at times. That is, if I could get her to cooperate. Just something to think about if you haven’t already. Nice job!