A Story to Remember

Actually I can’t remember exactly, when I could read and write for the first time. As far as I remember, before entering school (kindergarten), I could read just some easy Indonesian words. If I’m not mistaken, it was when I still 4 (four) years old.

I was born into a teacher’s family. Both of my parents are kindergarten teachers. That’s why I grew up with some things that related to kindergarten such as story books, toys, spelling books, etc. When I was 3 (three) years old, my parents often asked me to go to their school so that I could join their class. In 1995, pre-school had not been too popular.

Pre-school was different with kindergarten. In Indonesia we called it as “kelompok bermain” and people said that pre-school was an introduction for kids before they enter kindergarten. Only children younger than 4 years were allowed to enroll in this school. Actually I was old enough to enroll pre-school, but because the distance between my parent’s kindergarten and pre-school were really far, they canceled it. That’s why, my parents took the initiative to take me to their school, although not everyday (usually two or three times per week).

When I didn’t join their class, I just stayed at home, waiting for them to come home. I was so happy when they got back from their work. They often brought me spelling books, story books, and kid’s magazines. I didn’t know, I had an interest in books since I was a child. Before I could read, I liked looking to story books, just because there were a lot of pictures in them. Every night before I went to bed, I always asked my dad to read them to me.

After a long time, I became bored. I wanted to read the books by myself. Beside that, I also wanted to write after I saw my dad writing a letter for his friend. Fortunately my dad understood it. After he got back from his work, every afternoon, he always taught me to read. Unfortunately he didn’t teach me how to write because he thought that it was not the right time for me to write.

First, he taught me with spelling books. I remember, my first word that I read was, “ibu” (spelled as “i-bu”). It was one of the best memories I’ve ever had, hahaha... But actually that was not the first time for me to speak, because I could speak since I was (almost) 1 year old, although it was not a clear word. As far as I remember, my first word that I said was my nickname, “Nana”.

I remember, inside the spelling books, there were a lot of attractive pictures, such as animals, numbers, family, and many more. Under each picture, there was a word that describe the picture. For example, under the picture of a mother, there was a word “i-bu” so I had to read it as “ibu”.

I’m so thankful because I was a fast learner (I don’t mean to be arrogant, but that’s the fact). In just a one or two weeks period, I could read fluently. Of course my parents were so proud of me, especially my dad. He taught me intensively to read everyday.

In 1996, when I was 4 years old, my parents signed me up for kindergarten. They didn’t sign me up to the school where they worked because they didn’t want me to be spoiled.

In kindergarten I learned many things (but not writing), not only played with my friends. My teacher taught me and my friends to sing and clap our hands. I also played with children building blocks, spelled some simple words, and learned something that my dad never taught before. How to write!

I was so excited when my teacher taught me to write for the first time. First, she taught me how to hold a pencil correctly. After that, she taught me how to make a line on the paper. At the beginning, it felt difficult to write because it was something new for me (and my friends too, actually). But after some time, finally I could do it. I was not only made a line on the paper, but my teacher also taught me to write some words and letters, including our nickname.

After my teacher taught me to write at school, I tried to practice it by myself at home. When I found any difficulties, I asked my dad to guide me and he would be there to help me.

About 6 months ago I asked my dad, how did he learn to read and write? Did he use the similar method to teach me? The answer is, yes. His method to read and write was similar to mine. The only difference between me and him was just our age when we could read and write for the first time. I could read and write before 6, but my dad could do that when he was 7 years old.

Based on my experience above, I think the biggest influence was my dad, because he taught me everything. The second was myself, because I felt that read and write were important.

XOXO

-chandni-