Preschoolers Learning to Read - Beyond the ABC Song
Greetings! I am Ali – a writer and former teacher and tutor. Over the years, many parents have asked me how they can help their children become better readers. I always tell them:
The single most important thing you can do to help your child become a great reader for life is to read to your child. Period.
And that is true, but undoubtedly they reply, “OK, but what else?”
This article will help answer that question.
Learning the ABC Song is great but it is just a song to enjoy and to begin saying the names of the letters. The next step is for children to learn that those letter names relate to symbols and that those symbols have separate names. In this step I recommend that parents use magnetic plastic letters. These are readily available, very inexpensive and you will be using them for many lessons. I have purchased sets at the dollar store.
(A word of caution: Keep all magnets away from computers.)
Preschool level: All lessons should be like playtime. In fact, children learn best when they are playing. Curiosity is the catalyst. Let your child explore the letters; play with them before you try any lessons. Then take a one letter at a time and put it on the magnetic board (or refrigerator). Stick it up there and say the name of the letter. Have your child repeat the name of the letter. Some children will want to grab the letter and put it up and say the name just like you did. Great! Begin this with the letters A-B-and C – just like the ABC Song. When you have the letters up there, and you have gone through saying the names and the child repeating the names, put them in a row and slowly sing A-B-C while pointing to each letter. By doing this you are connecting the new information to something the child already knows. Lesson over. This should take between 7 and 10 minutes, sometimes less. Never try to do more at a time unless the child is begging for more. The lessons should always be part of children’s natural tendency to play.
This lesson will be repeated with different letters until after a couple of weeks s/he can say all of the letters. It is cute to watch the expressions children make if you make a ‘mistake’. However, do not try this until s/he knows the letters fairly well.
When Should I start? The general rule of thumb is when they ask – “What does this say?” or “What is this?” Truly all children are different. They might not be ready to begin. If they are, they will ask. Be a good observer and really listen to your child. They will let you know when it is time to start.
Have Fun! Enjoy your preschooler!
Have questions? Email: aliluvz2write@yahoo.com
The single most important thing you can do to help your child become a great reader for life is to read to your child. Period.
And that is true, but undoubtedly they reply, “OK, but what else?”
This article will help answer that question.
Learning the ABC Song is great but it is just a song to enjoy and to begin saying the names of the letters. The next step is for children to learn that those letter names relate to symbols and that those symbols have separate names. In this step I recommend that parents use magnetic plastic letters. These are readily available, very inexpensive and you will be using them for many lessons. I have purchased sets at the dollar store.
(A word of caution: Keep all magnets away from computers.)
Preschool level: All lessons should be like playtime. In fact, children learn best when they are playing. Curiosity is the catalyst. Let your child explore the letters; play with them before you try any lessons. Then take a one letter at a time and put it on the magnetic board (or refrigerator). Stick it up there and say the name of the letter. Have your child repeat the name of the letter. Some children will want to grab the letter and put it up and say the name just like you did. Great! Begin this with the letters A-B-and C – just like the ABC Song. When you have the letters up there, and you have gone through saying the names and the child repeating the names, put them in a row and slowly sing A-B-C while pointing to each letter. By doing this you are connecting the new information to something the child already knows. Lesson over. This should take between 7 and 10 minutes, sometimes less. Never try to do more at a time unless the child is begging for more. The lessons should always be part of children’s natural tendency to play.
This lesson will be repeated with different letters until after a couple of weeks s/he can say all of the letters. It is cute to watch the expressions children make if you make a ‘mistake’. However, do not try this until s/he knows the letters fairly well.
When Should I start? The general rule of thumb is when they ask – “What does this say?” or “What is this?” Truly all children are different. They might not be ready to begin. If they are, they will ask. Be a good observer and really listen to your child. They will let you know when it is time to start.
Have Fun! Enjoy your preschooler!
Have questions? Email: aliluvz2write@yahoo.com
posted by ali rae at 7:52 AM
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