Most Important Skill Often Ignored in Reading
Myth: Reading to every child before entering school is enough to help them learn to read when they enter school.
That may have worked for your first child, but not every child will learn the same. What about your second or third child? Michelle Breum is an elementary teacher/reading tutor who is a licensed Bachelor of Elementary Education in Billings, Montana. Michelle’s firstborn is a son and then came twins, boy and girl. The first and second boy caught on almost completely on their own, however, the daughter had problems learning to read. Being a reading tutor, Michelle saw what was happening with her daughter and took steps to remedy the situation. It was not without effort as any mother finds when a child believes they don’t need mom’s help.
When I asked Michelle, “What can I do to get my child a good start in reading before entering their school years?” she had no ‘instant’ nor ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer.
There were some easy answers,
- “Keep lots of books around the home and make them accessible.” Another answer where parents can control the outcome…
- “Read to them often” birth to preschool…consistently
Don’t Miss This Foundation
Many parents can nod their heads in agreement and feel that they are doing everything right by working on this list, but there is a foundation for reading that needs to be addressed. This is the most important skill that is often ignored. It’s a starting point that is easy for some children, yet sometimes it needs to be taught to other children. The foundation is ‘teaching your child to separate individual sounds and words’.
A Game to Play to Reinforce Individual Sounds and Words
I’ll describe it by offering a game to play to reinforce it in your child:
- You say “I’m thinking of a farm animal.”
- Then separate the sounds. (c)…(ow)
- Leave some time between the sounds to make it more difficult.
(h)…(or)…(se) (d)…(u)…(ck) (sh)…(ee)…(p) (ch)…(i)…(ck)…(e)…(n)
HORSE DUCK SHEEP CHICKEN
- Say, “Let’s make the sounds together.”
- Stretch the sounds without leaving space between the sounds.
- hhhhh-orrrrr-sssssse d-uuuuuuu-ck ssshhhh-eeeeeeee-p ch-iiiiiiii-ck-eeeeennnnn
- Let the child separate sounds and make you guess
These simple games teach your child how to separate individual sounds and words.
- When a child can guess words with the sounds separated and can
- separate individual sounds in words and
- make you guess,
the child has developed a sense of phonemic awareness….hearing each sound in a word.
What was just described is called Phonological Awareness…hearing words, syllables, and rhymes. This is the simple foundation you can use throughout their preschool years that will make all the difference in their school years. What have you got to lose? Give it a try!
Michelle can be reached through pacrapacma@gmail.com for consulting. Check out her blog http://www.beginningreadinghelp.blogspot.com/
What have you done to get a child reading or get help for them? Tell our community of readers by leaving your comments.
Thanks so much for explaining this so well–helping parents understand that they can prime the pump a bit and help make the most of reading time with children. Of course the idea is to demonstrate the pleasure and enjoyment of reading, but we can also enhance their learning.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I enjoyed stopping by yours. Madeline
Thank you for your comment Dr. Boskey. Michelle Breun was interviewed for the posting and she is absolutely full of great reading tips!
I took a survey on a blog community of moms with preschoolers and found quite a few that were teaching their children to enjoy reading before entering school. In the same survey, there were parents that felt reading books to their children was sufficient. Considering how easy it is to work with your child at home, I'm surprised all parents are not teaching their children before they enter school.
Your blog, http://www.madforreading.blogspot.com is also a very useful tool. I hope parents will check it out and use your ideas to work with their chidlren.
Hi Donna = wonderful post. I will be sending parents to your blog from mine. I'd love to have you follow me if you aren't already. I really liked how you shared the Word of God as you make a point and also love the cute clay handprint craft.
I'm at: http://www.familyliteracyandyou.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping at my blog – Tina "The Book lady"
I'm glad you stopped by, Tina. I went to your site and am following you. I appreciate your promoting teaching early reading at home with children and literacy in general. Thank you for sending parents to my blog.