Lesson:
Phonics is more than just learning to read. It
is also listening to words and sounds, recognizing letters, understanding
rhyming words and producing words and sounds. All of this can be done before a
child starts kindergarten! You are your child’s first teacher, and you can
help your child prepare for school well before his/her 3rd birthday.
Listening to words and sounds.
The best way to help your child develop language skills is to talk. (SEE ALSO
the lesson on language development). Help fine-tune your child’s hearing by
focusing on the world around you. When you go outside point out the shriek of a
police siren, the chirping of birds, the rush of the wind, the honk of a horn,
or the bark of a dog. In the house listen for the ticking of a clock, the
fizzle of a fire, the rushing of the water, the ding of a kitchen timer or the
squeak of a toy. Sing, read and talk with your child. And definitely play
music.
Careful listening will help children recognize
subtle differences in sounds needed for speech and to help them sound out words
when they begin to read. The more you talk with them today, the better they are
able to predict language and begin reading in school. Children who are not
encouraged to talk and use language can show reading difficulties when they
begin school.
Singing silly songs and reciting tongue
twisters also help children recognize sounds. “How much wood would a woodchuck
chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” It may sound silly to you, but it will
help your child learn to sound out words in school, and it makes them giggle.
As your child begins to imitate your words be
sure to speak clearly. Children will mimic you, but what comes out may sound
nothing like what you said. They are still learning how to move the tongue and
lips to create the correct sounds. Say things like, “See the dog? Can you
dog?” The child may point and say, “da”. Respond with, “That’s right! D-O-G.”
Speak each sound clearly. This reinforces your child’s attempt at communicating
and repeating the sounds he/she hears. Even if your child had responded with
“ma”, that is okay. He/she is listening and recognizing that you asked a
question.
Recognizing letters.
To be a good reader, children need to know the ABCs. It is true that your child
will learn a lot of letters in kindergarten but why wait? Children as young as
two can begin to sing along to the ABC song and recognize a few letters.
Start singing early. The ABC song is a
powerful one! There are a lot of letters to remember (26 in all) and singing
them is an easier way to remember them. The ABC song is also a familiar tune (Twinkle,
Twinkle Little Star), so children can learn it more easily.
Show your child a few letters at a time. Start
with A B C D E F G. They don’t have to memorize them all at once. But trying
to learn 7 is much easier then 26 at one time. Find them at the grocery store,
in the newspaper, on signs around town, in books or on packages around the
house. Draw them on paper, sing them over and over. You don’t have to sing the
entire song every time.
Give your child washable crayons or a pencil
and paper and let them explore. At first, they will only scribble, but that is
the fun part! You can write a few letters on the page, and they will begin to
take notice.
There are simple and inexpensive ABC books that
help children learn letters. These books show objects that begin with the
alphabet sounds. Check the local dollar store. Young children who cannot read
will begin to recognize the pictures and “read” along with you by point and
naming objects. Animal ABC books are especially enticing to toddlers.
Understanding rhyming words.
Children love to hear rhymes almost as much as
they like to hear songs. Learning the rhythm of language is just as important
as learning the words to say. When you share poetry, nursery rhymes, or Dr.
Seuss with your child(ren), you are helping them learn to predict language. And
this will help them learn to read. You can begin reading nursery rhymes to
infants.
As your child begins speaking and developing
language, share rhymes like “One, Two Buckle My Shoes” or sing songs like “Down
By the Bay.” Create your own verses or change the words to make new rhymes.
Producing sounds and words.
Talk to your child as much as you can. The more you encourage your child to use
language and talk now, the more prepared they are to learn to read later. (SEE
ALSO the lesson on Language Development.)
Typically, the first gibberish sounds that
toddlers produce are b, p, m, t, d, n, h, k, g. These are the easiest
for them to hear and reproduce. Other sounds will be acquired later. When a
toddler begins chatting by saying “ba-ba-ba-ba”, then find objects and pictures
whose names begin with that sound and use them in playtime: ball, bear,
bellybutton, baby, bottle, bucket, blanket, etc. Not only does this encourage
them to use language but it also helps them acquire new words and vocabulary.
Avoid using your child’s gibberish names when
talking. If your child points and says, “ba-ba”, respond with, “You want your
bottle? Can you say bottle?” Pause to let the question sink in. Then hand
over the bottle and say, “Okay, here’s your bottle.” Remember to hand it over
even if you get no response. Your child may continue with “ba-ba” for a few
months, but that is okay. Young mouths are still developing, and haven’t
mastered all of the sounds to say bottle, yet. It is important for your child
to hear language the way it is supposed to be spoken.
Older children that are talking and identifying
objects can listen for beginning sounds of words. Say, “That is a ball. What
letter sound do you hear in ball?” Wait to let the question sink in, and then
say, “b-b-ball. I hear “b” in the word ball.” Eventually, your child will
catch on and begin to participate. Remember not to force or push your toddler
to participate. This will only frustrate and cause him/her to feel bad. At
this age, you are trying to expose him/her to the sounds of language and
encourage talking.
In
this lesson, you will find simple activities to do with your child(ren) that
will help develop language and communication skills.
|
Each
time you click on a link below, a new window will open. To return to
this page, close the new window. |