It’s a good idea to use flashcards to help your child learn sight words which are the building blocks of reading (and writing). However –
Use flashcards in addition to teaching sight words by using books you’re already reading with your child. Why?
We want the words to be meaningful to your child. When you point out a sight word such as “I” in a story you’re reading, your child sees how the word is used. It’s part of a story and has more meaning than if it’s isolated on a card.
When your child is about 4 years old, you can start introducing sight words, but it really depends on the child. Some children might be ready at 3 years, some at 5.
The official book launch for Super Hammy – My First Reading Series…is Thursday, February 23rd, 2017.
I’ll be attending the Reading for the Love of It Conference which runs February 23 and 24 at the Sheraton in Toronto. If you’ll be attending the conference, stop by booth 702 and I’ll sign some books for you! The official launch is Thursday, Feb. 23rd from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The books can be purchased individually or as a set.
“The Super Hammy reading series is a collection of 15 books about a mighty little hero Super Hammy who goes on big adventures with his friend Little Mouse. His simple and funny stories are told in small sentences – just right for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and grade one.
The stories are carefully written with controlled vocabulary and simple sentence structures. The characters and humorous story lines and illustrations will appeal to children and make learning to read fun. The books are designed to facilitate the teaching of reading for classroom teachers, Reading Recovery teachers, teachers of English Language Learners and students with special needs, and for parents. An audio CD is included in the box set.” DC Canada Education Publishing
How a book “works” may be obvious to you, but don’t assume your child knows!
There are some important features about books or print (words) on a page that you should point out to your child as you read a book together. Teachers call these features “concepts about print”.
Focus on one thing at a time. Do it casually, once or twice while reading a book. Do one thing one day, another one, the next day. We want to make reading fun and enjoyable for your child.
The following items might seem obvious to you, but don’t assume they are for your child.
Show. Point. Demonstrate.
The first 4 items can be introduced when your child is a toddler.
Use your common sense and take your cues from your child. Trust your instincts.
2. Read with expression!
Ham it up! Use different voices for different characters. I love doing the voice of the Big, Bad Wolf in The Three Little Pigs -“I’LL HUFF AND I’LL PUFF, AND I’LL BLOOOWWW YOUR HOUSE DOWN!”
1. Rich oral language makes learning to read easier.
The better your child’s oral language is, the more language your child has heard, the easier it will be for your child to learn to read. It’s important to expose your baby and toddler to as much oral language as possible. You want your child to learn lots of new words and sentence structures before formal school even begins. And, how do you do that?
I’m a retired, certified early literacy teacher with over 25 years teaching experience in Canadian schools. As a Reading Recovery teacher, I taught grade one children who were having the most difficult time learning to read. I also taught kindergarten for many years and loved it!
I have a passion for teaching children how to read. You’re here because you want to help your child become a reader (and a writer), and I applaud you for that.
Here, you’ll find advice on how to instil a love of reading, how to pick the right books to teach reading, how to teach reading strategies, and how to teach letters and their sounds.
The information on this blog is aimed at children who are not yet reading or are just starting to.
AND I’LL BLOOOWWW YOUR HOUSE DOWN!”
I’m a retired, certified early literacy teacher with over 25 years teaching experience in Canadian schools. As a Reading Recovery teacher, I taught grade one children who were having the most difficult time learning to read. I also taught kindergarten for many years and loved it!