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\nIn this article we’ll be looking at easy ways to teach your child to read using phonics. Before we get into it the methods, let’s take a quick look at what phonics is all about. As well as why it’s essential to learn phonics.<\/p>\n
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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What is Phonics?” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n
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Phonics is a teaching method that helps children understand the relationship between letters and their sounds.<\/p>\n
By learning and understanding letters and their sounds, kids can successfully decode and read unfamiliar words. This leads to fluent<\/span> reading, accurate spelling, a richer vocabulary and greater self-confidence.<\/p>\n This decoding skill acquired through phonics is a crucial part of reading and academic success<\/strong>. Which is one of the reasons why phonics is the recommended way of teaching kids how to read and write.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/advancedmoms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/phonics-image-example.jpg” alt=”a method of how to teach children to read using phonics using pictures of objects that begin with the same sound letter of the alphabet” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″] <\/p>\n Studies have repeatedly found phonics to be the best way to teach a child to read<\/span>.<\/p>\n It not only teaches them how to decode words effectively, but it does so in a logical way. This logical progression ensures that kids learn easier concepts of the English language first, before moving on to more difficult concepts. This sets learners up to master reading, spelling and communication, as they have a clear understanding of how the language works, rather than outdated memorization techniques.<\/p>\n Phonics increases a child’s reading fluency, accuracy and comprehension. Due to fact that they spend less time trying to figure out how to pronounce a word, and can rather focus on understanding<\/strong> its meaning.<\/p>\n Phonics forms the foundation for reading words. And reading forms the foundation for all formal education. Without phonics, children will struggle<\/em> to figure out unfamiliar words. Leading to frustration, loss of focus, and the inability to keep up with classmates.<\/p>\n Phonics is essential for developing your child’s reading ability in their early life, and for building a solid foundation for future academic success.<\/p>\n Having said that, let’s take a look at some of the basic principles to keep in mind teaching your child to read using phonics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Basic Principles” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s extremely important that your child has fun when learning to read. When they are enjoying themselves, they are ‘switched on’, and there’s a much higher chance that they will retain what’s being taught.<\/p>\n Never force your child to read, as this will lead to negative feelings towards books and learning in general. It’s crucial that your child has a positive experience<\/strong><\/span> when reading.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/advancedmoms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/fun-phonics.jpg” alt=”a picture of a mom showing you how to teach phonics at home and making it fun for her child” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″] <\/p>\n One way to ensure that reading is a positive experience, is to read stories that appeal<\/span> to your child’s interests. This isn’t just limited to books and stories. When teaching them using phonics, you can also use individual words and sentences from their favorite topics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”3 – Keep Lessons Short” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It’s good to teach phonics in short bursts. Several quick 4 – 5 minute sessions spread throughout the day will ensure that your child doesn’t get tired and lose interest. Numerous spaced out sessions will also bring about consistency<\/strong>. This consistency will help your child master phonics, as it will be ingrained in their daily life.<\/p>\n In total, the phonics lessons shouldn’t take more than 20 – 30 minutes each day. This however doesn’t mean that your child’s exposure to reading is limited to these sessions. You can and should be reading to them as well.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”4 – Read to Your Child” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read to your child regularly, as this will instill a genuine love<\/strong><\/em> for reading.<\/p>\n You can even slip in a quick phonics lesson without your child realizing, by stopping every now and then to ask them to sound out a word or two with you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/advancedmoms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/parents-reading.jpg” alt=”These parents teach reading at home by consistently reading to their daughter on a daily basis” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″] <\/p>\n Phonemes are the individual sounds that make up words.<\/p>\n When a child masters these individual sounds, they are able to combine them (blending) to form words. From words they can read sentences. And from sentences, paragraphs, pages and books.<\/p>\n This is a logical progression, and it all starts with phonemes.<\/p>\n The more your child understands phonemes, the more accurate and efficient<\/span> they’ll be in decoding and pronouncing words.<\/p>\n To master phonemes, it’s important for your child to first learn the letters in the alphabet, and their associated sounds. That’s the best place to begin.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Learning the Alphabet” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When teaching your child the alphabet, you can choose to either start in alphabetical order (a, b, c, d), or you can choose to teach them some of the more common consonants and vowels first (a, c, t).<\/p>\n Remember, you’re teaching them the sound each letter makes.<\/p>\n It’s best to start slow and begin with just a few letters. It’s important that they master<\/strong> these first before introducing them to new letters. Once they have, you can even start teaching them some blending.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” column_structure=”1_2,1_2″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Example” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n \nExample:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \/c\/ \/<\/span>a\/ <\/span><\/span>\/<\/span>t\/<\/span><\/span> =<\/span> cat<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/advancedmoms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/cat-phonics.jpg” alt=”An image of a phonics example of a cat” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ box_shadow_style=”preset1″] \nTo assist in your child’s understanding of phonemes, you can also do a bit of ear training.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Ear Training” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ear training is a great way of helping your child understand that words are made up of individual sounds.<\/p>\n To do this, use everyday words your child understands.<\/p>\n When talking to your child, slowly sound out one of the words in your sentence.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Sarah, would you like to s – it<\/span><\/strong> on the chair?”<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your child is grasping the concept easily, you can make it more difficult by increasing the word separation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “Sarah, would you like to s – i – t<\/span><\/strong> on the chair?”<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you want, you can even turn it into a blending sounds game.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Blending Sounds Games” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In addition to using phonics in everyday speech as mentioned earlier, you can ask your child to play a game.<\/p>\n Choose a word, decode it, and say it slowly to your child.<\/p>\n Now ask them to guess what it is.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n “s – it”<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n or<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “j – ump”<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If it’s too easy for your child, you can make it a little more difficult by breaking the word down even more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “s – i – t”<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n or<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “j – u – m – p”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n You can make the game even more exciting<\/strong> by telling your child to perform the action when they’ve guessed it correctly. If the word is an object (example – dog), you can hide away a picture of the object in a relatively easy place to find.<\/p>\n Once your child has guessed the word correctly, tell them to find the picture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”I – Spy” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another fun game to play is I-spy. However, instead of using the name of the letter, use the sound.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/advancedmoms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/reading-game-girl.jpg” alt=”6 year old girl playing reading games with alphabet blocks” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”3.23″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″] <\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Why Phonics is so Important” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\nWhy Phonics is so Important<\/h2>\n
Basic Principles for Teaching Your Child Using Phonics<\/h2>\n
1 – Fun<\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”2 – Appealing to your child’s interests” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n2 – Appealing to Your Child’s Interests<\/h3>\n
3 – Keep Lessons Short<\/h3>\n
4 – Read to Your Child<\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”5 – Begin with Phoneme Mastery” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\n5 – Begin with Phoneme Mastery<\/h3>\n
Learning the Alphabet<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Learning the alphabet contd” _builder_version=”3.15″]<\/p>\nEar Training<\/h2>\n
Blending Sounds Games<\/h3>\n
I – Spy<\/h3>\n
\n[\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Conclusion” _builder_version=”3.26.6″]<\/p>\nConclusion<\/h3>\n