Learning to Read: A Parent's Guide., Part 1

image found on the SG Enterprise website

     Most parents understand the importance of reading to their child.  However, many adults know little about the process of how children learn to read. There is a lot of information out there and many theories of reading. This month's blogs will be dedicated to breaking down the process of learning to read, so parents can understand.  The better informed you are, the better teacher you will be to your little one.  

     In order to teach your child, you must identify your child's reading level.  Young children usually fit into one of 3 categories: pre-reader, emergent reader or beginner.  

PreReader:
     A pre-reader is someone who has not yet mastered the alphabet or letter sounds. They are more concerned with the illustrations than the letters or the words on the page.
     Most often, pre-readers are very young and consequently have short attention spans. Alphabet, counting and story books with short sentences are appropriate books for these readers. It's ok to pick a book based on the pictures and change the words when "reading" because these children aren't looking at the actual words.
     PreReaders benefit from being read to. We do not use the same rhythm when talking that we do when we read. The more any child hears proficient readers model reading for them, the better readers they will become.

Emergent Reader:
     Someone who knows all her letters and letter sounds and has memorized a hand full of sight words, but has not yet “clicked” into full reading, is an emergent reader. She has the tools to read, but needs a little something extra to bridge the gap to full fledged reader.
     When reading to an emergent reader, slow your reading speed and point to each word. Encourage your child to read words on the page that she might know. Before reading a book, take a picture walk and talk about the illustrations or go on a letter or word hunt and try and find the letter A on the page.  If the reader is familiar with the book, it will be more predictable and therefore easier to read.
     Emergent readers will benefit from reading familiar stories and simple books that use easy to sound-out words like the Bob Book Series. Use environmental print to encourage reading. Emergent readers also enjoy home made books with words and pictures they know like their names and the names of family members.

Beginner Reader:
     A beginning reader is someone who can read 3 to 5 word sentences made up of simple words and relies on simple reading strategies (like sounding out, picture clues and rhyming/ word families) while reading.
     Continue to build on your beginner's skills whenever possible, and encourage them to read through out the day: directions, recipes, the grocery list, or to a younger child. Be sure to give your child time to read because many beginners read very slowly. If necessary, after your child reads a sentence, repeat the sentence. If your little one has spent to much time reading each word, she will not be able to hear how the words form a sentence and will loose meaning in the story. Repeating what she has read will help her to improve her comprehension.

     No matter what your child's reading level, make reading time fun.  It is the perfect time to cuddle, have one-on-one time or make your little one the star of the family for a moment.  These reading experiences you create at home are unique and special and cannot be duplicated in the classroom.  They are the moments that make parents child's best teacher.