They are just little moments... Amalia is well on her way. She stands there and opens a book and starts, "Oh, en, cee, ee, you, pee, oh, en, ayy, tee, eye, em, ee" and so the story begins. She can do it in Spanish and in Greek too (though in Greek with a bit more difficulty with the letters, of course). She can follow the context of a book and pretend read. Irini models behaviors from her class, opening a book as if teaching it and showing it to the "class" (more than likely the audience is just Amalia sitting on the floor and replying to Irini's questions and requests to repeat). Reading is becoming a bigger part of our day. It starts with a read of a short book (given to Irini every day from class) as we are having breakfast. Then on to school and classes and the like. Then the return with play reading in the afternoon. Then the evening where books are brought out "en mass" to be read before heading to bed.
But now, ever so gently, words are popping out of the "real world" as well. As Irini works out what strings of letters mean she is announcing "IS" and "THE" and "AND" as she reads them on the walls, on the elevator, at stores and in books. Her enthusiasm and her conviction (as well as confidence) are impressive. Slowly the world has a different twist to it. There are meanings coming out, being discovered. Life's experience is about to become grander, more creative, more far-reaching. Reading has begun, in small steps.
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