My Journey to Novels: From Early Reading to Attention Span
The Early Start to Reading
I can still vividly remember the period before I started kindergarten, when my mother taught me basic reading skills. By the time I entered school, I was already familiar with short books like the Magic Treehouse series. Unlike other children who were still learning their letters and small words, the teacher allowed me to sit in the back and read my book. These were fun times.Having a keen interest in phonics, I picked up reading skills even earlier. By the age of three, I had already learned to read. In fourth grade, I was reading at a post-collegiate level, which means, by the age of eight, I was already reading novellas and starting to read full novels.
A Personal Insight into Reading Development
What I want to emphasize is that not everyone develops their reading skills at the same age. Therefore, it's essential not to dismiss someone's reading abilities if they differ from the norm. I genuinely try to help those who need assistance with their reading.
My educational journey with reading began in kindergarten, when I was only three years old, since my birthday is late November. My parents were unaware of my ability to read as the teachers thought they were teaching me. My father also recounted the amusing story of me explaining atoms at age three. My rudimentary understanding of atoms led me to explain why butter melts on toast, a concept I expressed as the atoms 'getting hot' and 'spreading around'. This demonstrates that my understanding of scientific concepts at a young age was quite advanced.
The Attention Span for Novels
Regarding the attention span for novels, it varies based on the criteria one may choose. By the time I was six or seven, I was reading chapter books. I would estimate that by the time I was eight to ten, I had the attention span for a full novel.
However, my journey to reading wasn't always smooth. I recall a period in first grade when I struggled significantly with reading and writing. My handwriting was poor, and until fourth grade, I used those grip aids designed to improve handwriting. Despite all the efforts to help me, my progress was slow. Eventually, something clicked, and I started reading with great enthusiasm. By the age of nine, I had finished the entire Harry Potter series and enjoyed tackling harder books.
From my personal experiences, it's clear that the development of reading skills and the ability to focus on longer texts, such as novels, can vary greatly among individuals. If you or someone you know is struggling with reading, it's important to offer support and patience.
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