When helping your child read at home, several strategies may be used to aid in decoding unknown words.

1. Tell your child to look at the picture. You may tell your child the
word is something that can be seen in the picture, if that is the
case.

2. Tell your child to look for chunks in the word, such as it in sit,
at in mat, or and and ing in standing.

3. Ask your child to get his/her mouth ready to say the word by
shaping the mouth for the beginning letter.

4. Ask your child if the word looks like another word s/he knows.
Does bed look like red?, for example.

5. Ask your child to go on and read to the end of the sentence.

Often by reading the other words in context, a child can
figure out the unknown word.

6. If your child says the wrong word while reading, ask questions
like:

                    Does it make sense?
                    Does it sound right?
                      Does it look right?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read different things aloud in addition to stories (such as recipes, letters, and directions).

 

Visit bookstores and libraries regularly together.

 

Find books with patterns, rhythm, and rhyme that help children as they first begin to read on their own.

 

Encourage your child to read to friends, children in your family, or other relatives.

 

As you read together, ask your child to predict what might happen next or talk about how the book relates to your child's life.

 

Once in awhile, make a mistake while you're reading and problem-solve with your child about how to figure out what would make more sense.

 

Talk about authors, illustrators, or interesting words.

 

Talk about the characters in the books you read. Ask questions such as, "Does that character remind you of anyone you know? Does it remind you of a character in another book?"

 

After reading a story aloud, retell it in your own words with your child’s help.

 

Keep a list of "Favorite Books We've Read" or a wish list of "Books to Buy." 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

How can you help your child learn to read?

Set aside time to read every day and take turns.

Ask your child to read to you. A simple book is best for independent reading. (This means your child can read 95% of the words in the book without your help. For children just learning to read, a very short easy reader book is best.

Then it's your turn. Read a harder book to your child. Have your child sit next to you so he can see the words as you read. (This will help your child learn new words.)

Reading every day is part of The Daily 5:

    1.      Read to self                            2. Read to someone

    3. Listen to reading                    4. Work on writing

    5. Word work

What does this look like in the classroom and at home?

• The child reads a simple book by himself. (Silent reading is #1 Read to self. Reading aloud is #2 Read to someone.)
• The adult reads a harder book to the child. (#3 Listen to reading.)
• There are writing materials available for the child to use. (#4 Work on writing).
• After the adult points out new words and talks about the letters and sounds, the child plays phonics/word games and adds new words to his "word book." (#5 Word Work).

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parents who read childrens stories aloud to their kids provide a strong, positive influence and build a foundation for a lifetime of significant benefits.   But what really are these reading aloud benefits?   What kind of difference are we talking about?

Below is a summary of the significant ways in which reading stories aloud to kids will change their lives . . . and yours.   It won't happen overnight, as change is gradual, but continued and dedicated reading will most definitely bring noticeable, long-term changes.

Did you know . . .

• In this day and age of hectic lives and busy schedules, reading together is a simple and enjoyable way for parents to take time out and focus on the family.  Young children need lots of special, dedicated time with their loved ones.
• Reading childrens stories aloud to our kids is just plain FUN!!
• Reading childrens stories is a wonderful bonding experience that fosters meaninful one-on-one communication with our kids.
• It shows our children in no uncertain terms that they are important to us.
• It molds our kids into becoming readers, and raising a reader significantly increases our child's potential for academic success as well as lifelong success in general.
• It is a vital and integral part of teaching our kids how to read as children learn how to read by being read to.
• It helps our children master language development.
• It builds listening skills, increases a child's attention span, and develops the ability to concentrate at length of which all are learned skills.
• It develops children's ability to express themselves more confidently, easily, and clearly in spoken AND written terms.
• It develops and fosters a child's natural curiosity.
• It develops creativity and a child's ability to use their own imagination!
• It expands our children's horizons, quells fears, exposes them to new situations, and teaches them appropriate behavior.
• Reading childrens stories to our children provides the best opportunities for true "teaching moments."
• Reading picture books develops a young child's appreciation for the arts through exposure to many different styles of art and illustrations.

There is so much that reading childrens stories aloud to our kids can do for them. Let's start reading together today!

"A house without books is like a room without windows."
--Heinreich Mann (1871-1950)

the phonogram page (turn sound on): http://www.phonogrampage.com/

 Spalding sample DVD (phonograms 1-26): http://curriculum.leeschools.net/Subject%20Areas/Reading/Phonogram%20Export%20Windows%20Media.wmv