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A Florida mom recently captured a moment that left her, and the internet, completely amazed. Natalie Corridori, 25, shared a video on Instagram @nattie_gonz of her 26-month-old son, Ezra, reading a list of words she’d written for him, words like “construction,” “Jupiter,” and “excavator.”
In the clip, guests gasp and laugh as Ezra flawlessly reads each word aloud. Natalie’s caption summed up the moment: “I’m sorry…this can’t be normal right?! He absolutely loves reading books and apparently has a good memory?! (no we did not help him at all!)”
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The post has racked up over 159,000 views, attracting parents, teachers, and caregivers who were astonished by Ezra’s early literacy skills. Beyond the wow factor, the video has sparked broader conversations about early reading, gifted development, and how to support toddlers who are learning differently (or faster) than their peers.
Related: How to support your kids’ reading skills based on their current reading level
The moment that amazed even mom
In the viral clip, Ezra confidently reads words that many toddlers wouldn’t encounter until elementary school, like “Bible” and “bulldozer.” Natalie’s mix of pride and disbelief mirrors that of everyone watching: one guest exclaims, “That’s a big word!” while Ezra breezes through the list.
According to the CDC, most children approaching 30 months are typically building a vocabulary of around 40 words, combining them into simple two-word phrases, and identifying objects pointed out by adults. Ezra’s abilities clearly go beyond these developmental norms, which is why his mom’s reaction resonated with so many.
What we know about early reading
While Ezra’s skills are remarkable, early word recognition isn’t unheard of. Some toddlers demonstrate a phenomenon called hyperlexia, a fascination with letters and words that often emerges before age three. Children with hyperlexia may instinctively decode written words without formal instruction, yet their social and verbal development can be perfectly typical.
Research published in Brain Sciences found that children under 3 who showed early recognition of letters and numbers often had a strong interest in written materials and, over time, developed better expressive and written Communication skills, though comprehension lagged behind decoding.
These findings suggest that when children display early reading ability, the best support comes from letting their own curiosity guide the way: reading alongside them, offering rich print exposure, and giving them room to explore words, not pressuring formal instruction too soon.
Why her video resonated with so many parents
The clip garnered hundreds of comments from teachers, fellow parents, and caregivers who shared their own toddler milestones or marveled at Ezra’s abilities.
- “Maybe he has photogenic memory??” — @jenward_2
- “What kind of juice is you giving him and where can I get it great job!” — @hanathemama
- Foster that intelligence, momma!! Don’t let that baby burn out. Keep challenging him! — @a_sinful_salmon
Ezra’s video reminded viewers that there’s a wide spectrum of normal development and that curiosity itself is a milestone worth celebrating.
The joy of following your child’s curiosity
Natalie told Newsweek that Ezra has “always loved books and started memorizing his favorites around 18 months old”. His early reading began with recognizing song titles on their Echo device and evolved into playful testing with written words at home.
Following a child’s interests can be simple and joyful. Experts recommend:
- Read daily, but keep it playful: Let your toddler choose the book or song.
- Let your child lead: If they show interest in words or letters, explore them naturally.
- Celebrate curiosity, not performance: Focus on joy and Engagement rather than speed or perfection.
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children, “Play promotes joyful learning that fosters self-regulation, language, cognitive and social competencies as well as content knowledge … Children’s Motivation to learn is increased when their learning environment fosters their sense of belonging, purpose, and agency.”
Related: Reading for pleasure has major benefits for kids, according to new research
A gentle reminder for parents watching the video
Every child’s developmental path looks different. Early reading is just one expression of curiosity, it doesn’t determine intelligence or success.
Whether your toddler is learning new words, exploring new songs, or discovering ways to express joy, the real milestone is the love of learning itself. For Ezra, it’s clear that his joy, curiosity, and playful engagement with the world are the true story behind the viral video.
Source:
- Naeyc. “Principles of Child Development and Learning and Implications That Inform.” Practice
- Brain Sciences. 2021. “Measuring the Emergence of Specific Abilities in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Example of Early Hyperlexic Traits.”