If you are the least bit competitive and a parent, don’t teach your kids to read. Don’t read to them as babies or toddlers, don’t let them read to you when they start putting words together, and don’t let them stay up late nestled in their bed reading as pre-teens.
Because they will get smart and learn the English language. And then they will embarrass you.
Case in point: Starting in 1st grade, my son got a hankering for the game Boggle. We played together, and he mastered garnering about six 3-letter words per round. “Round” at that time had an elusive meaning, because he didn’t like to get stressed out by the timer, so we skipped that part. Instead, we played until he was “finished”. I managed to win every game – imagine that! – and I didn’t even try very hard because I am a good Mom. I figured playing this game was not about ruining his self-esteem at six years old.
Fast forward six years, and he’s kickin’ my butt. Every. Single. Time. He’s increasing the number of 4 and 5 letter words, and he rocks the 3 letter sweeties. I’m not kidding; sometimes ten or so per round. And, yes, the timer is now in use, and stress is not present at the table.
I’ve decided the reason children are better at this type of game is because, when they sit down with adults, their minds are empty and ready for the task at hand. Adults just aren’t as freely able to accomplish that goal. Our minds are always a jumble of data, timelines and chores. But believe me, I try to live in the moment and “be one” with the game.
The other day, during a Boggle marathon, when I felt myself getting slightly competitive at tally time – and competitive is not in my base nature – I turned to him in all seriousness and said, “I should never have taught you to read.”
He laughed from deep in his tummy, a sound that I love to hear and that melts my heart to this day. Then, without skipping a beat, he rattled the 16 letter-dice and hit the timer. We were off and running again.
Final score for 6 rounds: my son, 53; me, 29.
Ouch.
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