Saturday, December 21, 2019

Camel on the Ceiling C c C

I have prepared mentally for the moment when my child asks one of those awkward questions. I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't put them off or say things like "I'll tell you when you are older". I am prepared to explain puberty and human reproduction with anatomic accuracy upon request.

But I was not prepared to explain the letter C today. Our daughter is only two, but she is very observant. She is learning the letters and sounds. I've been teaching her the sounds of the letters as we read. 

Her: "Snake...SSSnake...Snake starts with S! 
           Kangaroo...K-K-Kangaroo...Kangaroo starts with K! 
           Cow...C-C-Cow starts with K!"

Me: "Cow starts with C. Like Camel and Crab."

Her: "And Kite!"

Me: "No, Kite starts with K."

later...

Her: "Ceiling...Cccceiling...S is for Ceiling!"

Me: "No, C is for Ceiling." 

Her: "Like Sssssssnake!"

Me: "No, Snake starts with S."

She just rolled with it, but I know as she gets older she will need a better explanation. How am I supposed to explain that? I never had a problem with C until now. 

Dr. Suess's ABCs

2 comments:

  1. In discussing this with my grandma, who used to teach first grade, I learned there is a rule. The sound of C depends on the letters that follow it. E I and Y make it "S". Otherwise, it will sound like "K" . Schwew.

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  2. Also, Aaron said something like that shortly after I posted this. So maybe this is common knowledge.

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