So, how do you teach a child to read? One day they can't read and it seems like the very next day they can. What happens that makes the light bulb go on all of a sudden? And how do we keep that light burning brightly so it doesn't go dark on reading habits? These are all wonderful questions that you should be asking yourselves this year. First grade is a crucial grade for reading and becoming fluent readers. This is the year that the foundation is laid for life long learning in all disciplines. That's a lot of pressure, isn't it?
Well, the most important thing is to expose your children to reading. Read to them, read with them, let them see you read, have them read to you... you get the idea. Take them food shopping and let them be in charge of the list. Does it take a little longer? Probably, but the gains you will obtain in your child's life will be worth the extra 15 minutes each time you shop. While you are driving, see if they can read signs as you pass them. Look for sight words or blends or diagraphs on the road. Listening to the radio, see if they can "hear" diagraphs or blends from the announcers or in the songs.
I will repeat once again, let them see you read! Let them see you read! Let them see you read! They will pick up your habits! They want to be like you. They will understand how important it is to read if it is important to you! I'm not just talking about reading to them or with them, I am talking about modeling that you take time out of your day to read a grown-up book. Set aside 20 minutes where everyone in the house will read. We do this in my house and Emma, (my 4 year old), crawls up on the couch next to me with a book and "reads" while I am reading my own book. I am happy to say that she is now sounding out words and reading small early reader books! I am not bragging, I am simply telling you that this works. Immerse your children in print. Play letter games and sound games.
When we play Candy Land in school, they cannot draw a card unless they spell a word correctly. Bring those preschool games up a level! They are still fun and can still be very beneficial!
When you read together, ask questions. Make sure that your child is comprehending what they read. Just because they can sound out words does not mean that comprehension is taking place. These are two, separate developmental skills that both need to be fostered.
Make up stories and write them out . Create a book and have your child illustrate it. They can be an author too!
Read rhyming books and poems and see if your child can fill in the rhyming word as you read along.
Allow your child your child to read the same book over and over and over again. Repetition builds skills. Repetition also builds confidence.
So, as we continue on our reading journey together to build this strong foundation, help me help your child by trying out some of these practices at home. I hope you can have some fun with them!
Well, the most important thing is to expose your children to reading. Read to them, read with them, let them see you read, have them read to you... you get the idea. Take them food shopping and let them be in charge of the list. Does it take a little longer? Probably, but the gains you will obtain in your child's life will be worth the extra 15 minutes each time you shop. While you are driving, see if they can read signs as you pass them. Look for sight words or blends or diagraphs on the road. Listening to the radio, see if they can "hear" diagraphs or blends from the announcers or in the songs.
I will repeat once again, let them see you read! Let them see you read! Let them see you read! They will pick up your habits! They want to be like you. They will understand how important it is to read if it is important to you! I'm not just talking about reading to them or with them, I am talking about modeling that you take time out of your day to read a grown-up book. Set aside 20 minutes where everyone in the house will read. We do this in my house and Emma, (my 4 year old), crawls up on the couch next to me with a book and "reads" while I am reading my own book. I am happy to say that she is now sounding out words and reading small early reader books! I am not bragging, I am simply telling you that this works. Immerse your children in print. Play letter games and sound games.
When we play Candy Land in school, they cannot draw a card unless they spell a word correctly. Bring those preschool games up a level! They are still fun and can still be very beneficial!
When you read together, ask questions. Make sure that your child is comprehending what they read. Just because they can sound out words does not mean that comprehension is taking place. These are two, separate developmental skills that both need to be fostered.
Make up stories and write them out . Create a book and have your child illustrate it. They can be an author too!
Read rhyming books and poems and see if your child can fill in the rhyming word as you read along.
Allow your child your child to read the same book over and over and over again. Repetition builds skills. Repetition also builds confidence.
So, as we continue on our reading journey together to build this strong foundation, help me help your child by trying out some of these practices at home. I hope you can have some fun with them!