Teaching kids to read is not an easy task. It is not contrary to some people’s belief that learning to read is not a ‘natural’ process that happens in just a blink of an eye. It’s a complex one that requires various strategies and skills such as phonics awareness. Whether the task is for teachers or parents, the weight is still the same, and it needs to be done in proper preparation.
A study shows that kids learn to read when they are finally able to identify letters and combinations of letters and connect them to sounds. But, there’s more to it, it needs a deeper understanding of the process of reading. You can’t impose on a child to read quickly, without undergoing the step to step level of it.
The great news is that although reading itself is a complicated process; we enlist some of these steps to guide you in the fair building of learning skills: simple and straightforward. To teach your kids how to read and make it a rewarding and positive experience, consider these time-tested and straightforward strategies:
- Make use of songs and nursery rhymes to build phonemic awareness.
The rhymes and rhythm of children’s nursery songs are not just for fun; it contributes to the child’s capability of hearing the sound and syllables in words – that can help them learn to read. Clapping rhythmically together and reciting songs in unison is a better and enjoyable way to build phonics awareness. In this fantastic yet straightforward way, the children will implicitly develop the literacy skills to set them up for the reading process.
- Make simple word cards.
If you have spare cards, make use of it and create simple word cards containing three sounds each (e.g. top, sun, pot). Show your kids the map and help him to identify the letter one by one until he fully identifies the right sound of the word. This low cost and simple activity will help develop a child’s decoding skills.
- Attract your child’s attention through a print-rich environment
If you want a daily opportunity to build your child’s reading skills, create a print-rich environment within your home. Printed words on cards, posters, signs and billboards will enable them to apply connections between letter symbols and sounds. Every day ask your child, “what letter is this?”, “What is the sound of this letter?” By doing this, they can easily recall in their mind the letters and their signals and symbols.
- Mobilize the use of technology to keep your child engaged
At first, a child’s attention and eagerness to learn are at the peak, but they will come to the point of being bored and not wanting to learn anymore. That is why you must keep the earning process always enjoyable and catchy for them. Nowadays, there are many ideas online to look for engaging and fantastic ways to help your kids learn to read. Use modern technology to look at strategies in making your kids alive and alert throughout the process.
- Be patient
Be patient with your child’s step by step development. Remember that every child learns at their own pace; all you need to do is keep motivating them and make every day an enjoyable learning session.
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