New and trying to figure out what to do with my almost 5yo dd

My oldest was the same. All the CM sites say no formal lessons until 6 but he was chomping at the bit to learn to read, so I did Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons with him and he has been an avid reader since then (age 4.5). You could also have her build letters with buttons, beads, or pipe cleaners, or trace letters in sand or fill a Ziploc bag with paint and have her draw the letters on that with her finger. When I was in kindergarten, I remember making collages for each letter using pictures of things that started with that letter (for example, I covered F with feathers and fabric). Would she like to do something like that? It’s a great way to use up old magazines. ;-)</p>

I was in the same situation – dd with October birthday who wanted to do school with big sis. I used a set of Rod and Staff preschool workbooks, and that did the trick for that workbook desire. Here’s a link. At the time I did these (early 2000s) the series was A – F. They’ve added a lot since then! You could really make these last, and the skills they teach are excellent, IMHO:

https://www.milestonebooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Preschool/

When I started teaching her to read, I used Phonics Pathways. She was about 5.5 before I started her in this book, and it worked well for her. I found it easy to use. I had tried 100 Easy Lessons and wasn’t as fond of it, but I know I’m in the minority on that!

Can I make a suggestion or two?

1. Have materials available for her in a bin. BUT don’t ever pull them out yourself. If she asks, go right ahead, but only on the days when she suggests it without prompting from you.

2. The moment she is done with an activity just be done. Drop it. No “let’s just finish this page”. Remember she is little.

3. Don’t replace her time in play both imaginative, messy, and outdoor with sit down school work. Even if she wants to spend lots of time sitting with workbooks or sit down school. She’s too young to know what is a healthy way to spend large quantities of her time. Just like you wouldn’t let her eat large amounts of sweets, guard against letting her spend too much time sitting down doing academics at such a young age.

🙂 I do have some experience along the entire spectrum of readiness. Of the 9 going on 10 kids I’ve had later readiness, readiness at 6, and even a child who taught himself to read chapter books at age 3.5 without input from me.

My daughter was the same way. We, too, used Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons as well as the Rod & Staff Preschool workbook set.

Like Tristan recommends, we only pulled them out when my daughter asked for them.