by Tonya Wright

Created on: May 21, 2007   Last Updated: May 22, 2007

Personal Narrative of Early Reading Experiences

I did not grow up in a household with parents who read constantly. Both of my parents worked full time and my father went to school at night. My childhood was a happy one and although I do not remember being read to, I do remember having a large variety of books, children's magazines (such as Highlights, Cricket, and Jack and Jill), and a host of other things to read (like riddle books, puzzle books, and Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom animal cards). I remember having a book shelf with Dr. Seuss stories, a yellow children's bible, a set of children's encyclopedias, and many other books. Looking back, I now know that my parents must have valued reading enough to provide me so many books and opportunities to read.

When I think of my early experiences with learning to read, I must admit that I am surprised that I love reading as much as I do. My earliest recollections of formal reading instruction are filled with frightening memories of short vowel sounds, long vowel sounds, consonant blends, workbooks, boring stories about Dick and Jane, and strange marks over top of letters. It was like I was trying to comprehend what I felt was like a foreign language. Although I loved to read and write, I remember struggling early on with the mechanics of reading.
I don't remember when or how but I was able to overcome those negative feelings, but somewhere along the line I fell more in love with books, reading, and writing. I always had a book with me as a child. I remember carrying Charlotte's Web around and reading it over and over again; I would read or write every chance that could. As a young child I was quiet and relatively shy so books provided a comforting escape into another world. As a teenager, and even now as an adult, I still have an inexplicable love for both reading and writing.
Growing up, my parents placed a great deal of emphasis on academic excellence and I was fortunate enough to be able to attend private schools. I was afforded the opportunity to obtain a high quality education while being surrounded by others who enjoyed learning as much as I did. I was also fortunate to have friends who grew up like I did and whose parents had similar values as those of my parents. So, it was never considered "uncool" to read, write, and be successful in school. I also had a middle school English Teacher who encouraged my abilities; he nominated a poem I wrote to be published in an anthology and he encouraged me to become a

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>