Preschool

January 5, 2019

 My first school memory is library school. I was four and my sister Mary had been taken from me and deposited in St. Agnes grade school kindergarten. My mother said it was normal, but I know Mary was taken against her will.
To keep me from sulking and driving her crazy, Mom started taking me to library school.  The children went to a room, sat on the floor and while our parents sat outside, someone would read to us. And then we could take a book home till the next session, sometimes the book we had just heard. I had a terrific memory and could see the words of the story, remembering what was said and how it sounded. This is how I learned to read.
Back in the day, you didn’t learn to read till first grade, so a four year old who could read was a novelty.
I also developed a love of books. They became my friends when I was alone as well as my tool for learning.
Some kids are forced to learn, and some are not ready. I chose to learn, and have never stopped.