Korean Job Discussion Forums

Panda · Joined: 25 Oct 2008

I am not an expert, but according to all cases I know, I would tend to believe reading ability developes very early only in genius kids, whom are not neccessarily taught to do so...they seem to get more intereted in reading than the average kids.

However MAKING an average kid start reading at a very young age wouldnt really benefit since they have little desire to learn reading themselves, but they could also do a good job later if they are well trained (desire built) .

The conclusion of this research seems to support my assumption.

I guess it is silimar with speaking...I started to talk at age 2, but now I speak three languages.

Jeonmunka · Joined: 05 Oct 2009

I was a late reader so I understand how research can come up with a result like that. I got in the top reading groups very quickly after learning to read.

About the prodigy kids, there was a seven year old (lunar aged) girl at the kindy. She got on the piano and, 'Wow, what an amazing talent,' I thought.
The next week I asked her to play again. She did, but it was the same tune. I listened but asked her to play another tune. But, she couldn't play another tune of any quality as the previous one. She had obviously learned to play one song very well but by rote. Beyond making an initial grand impression on people, I do wonder just what the point of that is. It's very shallow.
I see it a lot in Korea with these young kids. With English it's the same - the kids only know what you teach them. Yet, people will coo coo around and congradulate the kids (especially the Kangnam ones) giving them airs that they aren't entitled to.

It seems so fake.

I am glad I am leaving soon. Back to a normal place where kids make sandcastles and ride pedal cars for fun ...

economicmayhem · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Location: Yong In

Who cares when you start reading?
The important point is when you start liking to read.

Illysook · Joined: 30 Jun 2008

I think that it is better to read to children than to push them to learn how to read when they might not be ready for it.

Every child loves a story. When you sit down with a child to read a story, you are a role model. The child learns the joy of reading from you, and will anticipate the day when he or she will be able to read (and maybe even write) stories on his or her own.

I learned to read alongside the rest of my class in the first and second grade. In the third grade, I was expected to read a chapter book and do a book report, and by the 5th grade, I was reading at a 12th grade level. [/u]