Teach your child to read at home with this simple strategy and help them to get ahead on time. Learning to read is very important for kids especially when they start school. But how they’re taught can make a big difference in how well they learn.
Some kids learn to read easily no matter how they’re taught, no matter what the curriculum of the school is. But for many kids, especially those with dyslexia and ADHD, they need special teaching methods to learn well. Sadly, many schools don’t use these methods or don’t use them enough.
So, at some point you might need to start asking yourself how to teach your child to read at home.
We have a bilingual child, and the orthographies (writing systems) of our languages (English and Bulgarian) differ significantly. However, with these simple steps, we managed to teach your child to read fluently in both languages. It takes time, it takes practice, and it’s not always super easy.
However, if your child is not bilingual, teaching your child to read at home with these simple steps would be more like a walk in the park.
What is the best way to teach a child to read?
Unlike talking, reading isn’t something kids’ brains are just born to do. They need different parts of their brain to work together to read. When kids learn to read, they learn to match the letters to sounds. This is called “phonics.”
To get good at this, kids need to practice a lot. They start with simple sounds and then learn more complex ones. For instance, they might learn that “ai” makes the long “A” sound, and then practice finding that sound in different words.
So, the best way to teach reading is with systematic phonics. This means you need to teach phonics in small, easy steps, with lots of practice. Then, your child reads books that only use the sounds they’ve already learned.
What isn’t phonics-based?
Methods like “whole language” or “balanced literacy” don’t work well for many kids, especially those with dyslexia and ADHD. “Balanced literacy” mixes different reading skills, like phonics, but often doesn’t teach enough phonics for many kids to become good readers, particularly those with dyslexia.
“Whole language” thinks kids learn to read best by looking at words in fun, meaningful contexts. They guess words using pictures or the story around them instead of sounding them out. This can distract from learning the sounds of letters. Children guess instead of reading. But we want to teach our kids to read, not to guess. Therefore, picture book and YouTube are not the best teachers in reading, right?
How can you check whether your reading program is phonics-based?
You can easily find out whether a reading program is phonics-based. Just check if the words taught are from the same word family or if all sound the same (e.g., mat, sat). That will indicate phonics, rather than high-frequency words (sight words).
Phonics programs discourage guessing from pictures or context. Instead, they focus on sounding out letters. Effective phonics programs involve direct, systematic instruction and lots of repetition. In this way, children decode, write, and use words in sentences.
These programs are multi-sensory, involving hearing, seeing, saying, and writing words, sometimes with physical gestures.
Lastly, children should use “decodable” texts, where at least 98% of words match the phonics lessons learned.
What is the first step in teaching kids to read?
1. Start with Phonemic Awareness
Begin by teaching kids the sounds letters make, not their names. You don’t need to know letter names to read or write. In fact, knowing letter names can make reading harder because it might confuse kids. They might think about the names of the letters when they see a word, instead of the sounds those letters make.
Sound Play
Engage in activities that involve rhyming, alliteration, and playing with sounds. This can include games like “I Spy” with sounds (e.g., “I spy something that starts with the ‘b’ sound”).
Songs and Rhymes
Use nursery rhymes or songs to highlight sounds and patterns in language.
2. Introduce Letters and Sounds
Alphabet Books
Read ABC books that focus on each letter sound.
Letter Recognition
Use flashcards or magnetic letters to help your child recognize letters and associate them with their sounds.
3. Phonics
Teach Letter-Sound Relationships
Begin with simple phonics where you teach the sounds each letter makes. For example, the letter ‘A’ says “ah”.
Blending Sounds
Show how to blend sounds into words. Start with simple words like “cat”, “dog”, or “mum”.
4. Reading Together
Picture Books
Choose books with repetitive text or simple stories where your child can predict what comes next.
Interactive Reading
Point to words as you read them aloud. Encourage your child to follow along with their finger.
Shared Reading
Let your child read parts they know or guess words based on the first letter or picture clues.
5. Sight Words
High-Frequency Words
Introduce common words like “the”, “and”, “is”, which don’t always follow phonetic rules. Use flashcards or games to memorize these.
6. Create a Reading Environment
Reading Nook
Set up a cozy corner with books appropriate for their level.
Model Reading
Let them see you reading often. Share your excitement about books.
7. Engage with Writing
Writing Practice
Encourage writing or tracing letters and simple words. This reinforces reading skills.
8. Use Technology Wisely
Educational Apps
There are apps designed for learning to read that can be engaging for kids. Look for those that focus on phonics, sight words, and interactive stories. Best would be to avoid them alltogether.
9. Patience and Encouragement
Celebrate Efforts
Praise attempts, not just success. Mistakes are part of learning.
Be Patient
Every child learns at their own pace. Keep sessions fun and stress-free.
10. Regular Practice
Schedule Reading Time
Make reading a part of your daily routine, perhaps before bedtime or after lunch.
Check Comprehension
Make sure that your child understands what they read. Ask them questions about the story.
Library Visits
Regular trips to the library can expose them to a variety of reading materials.
Adjust to Their Level
If a book is too hard, it can discourage them. If too easy, it might not challenge them enough. So, make sure that it’s just right.
Remember, the goal is to foster a love for reading. It’s not just about the mechanics of decoding words but also about understanding and enjoying stories.
If you feel your child needs extra support, consider consulting with their teacher or looking into reading programs designed for home use.