Charlotte's Web

Shortly after returning from our holiday adventure in Arizona, Tavish and I read Charlotte's Web together. It was the first full novel for him and aside from a few dated moments in the book (that reader-Mommy was able to adjust without notice), it went over very well. I enjoyed his excitement over using the bookmark; our practice of remembering what happened in the chapter we read the night before; discussing new words or concepts as they came up; and of course, the snuggling that is associated with going on a bedtime adventure with a four year old...

MOMENT: Title Practice

A few nights after finishing the book, we tucked Tavish in only to have him creep down the stairs a little later. Turns out, he'd been working on his writing that was inspired by his experience with Charlotte's Web - the title, author and illustrator all accounted for!

MOMENT: Title to Tiles to Tales

Over the years, Tavish has watched Grandma and Auntie Colleen play their "Bananagrams" game. It's evolved from enjoying turning the tiles over, to searching out the letters for them, to playing a modified game on his own. This is his first solo game where he turned the tiles and arranged the letters for his very own words! From title copying to word writing... 

He has even written notes for us. He and his buddy were playing in his room and he called his Daddy upstairs. The door was closed when Tom went up, so he read the notes out loud that were placed on the door. "Oh, I guess they're not here". The giggles from behind the door were priceless. The two on the right are the clearest: "Dad +" and "we're not here". Our little joker is a word wizard too it seems!