Adhd within a toddler


Growing up I was unaware. 

I sat on my mother's knee learning to read. 

Over the years I'd sit statue still for hours reading, nothing short of a fire would have broken through the magical worlds I had entered. 

Experience through me, a typical reading session with a toddler with adhd and hyperlexia. 

Give yourself forty-five minutes for this activity. 

Wait for ten minutes for her to stop performing flips and tricks, bearing in mind she will have asked for this activity.

Another five minutes for her to get snuggly in your lap, and have a giggle because she is purposely holding the book upside down.

She will then flawlessly read a page of a Peter and Jane book. 

Then point out that the next page is pretty much the same as the one before so why does she have to read it? 

You refocus her. 

She reads the next page flawlessly. 

'Oh look I have a bellybutton', poking at it and giggling. 

Refocus. 

Next page read flawlessly. 

'Mummy, I'm Kira Morris, what's your name?'

(saying her name frequently is part of her torrettes). 

Refocus. 

Next page read flawlessly. 

A screaming fit, 'Sophia's looking at me!' then launching straight into another flawless page.

At this point I'm sat there wondering if my presence is actually necessary. 

'I love you Mummy you're the bestest teacher but I'm tired now'....I'm sorry am I overworking you Kira! 

She then wandered away and picked up a book she's previously learnt and read it out loud cover to cover flawlessly, then picked up a book she's never had read to her before and read it as if she's heard it all her life. 

....I'm still sat watching at this point just waiting to be dismissed.

 'Mummy I want some paper so I can do my abc'. I sneak out then as she's there writing her alphabet, and wonder if I actually contributed anything to that lesson except give out cuddles and marshmallows.

She had only started reading a month previous to this exchange. 

I first realised she was 'ready' because she came up to me with a Peter and Jane book and just started reading it to me. 

My children are going to leave me in the dust.

I will never now take for granted the ability to just curl up with a book, detach from reality and lose myself for hours a time. 


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