When children struggle with word reading, or decoding, their understanding of text can be limited. It is important that children develop a list of strategies to use when they come to a word they do not know. The following strategies can be used to help children decode words and make sense of what they are reading.
When children struggle with word reading, or decoding, their understanding of text can be limited. It is important that children develop a list of strategies to use when they come to a word they do not know. The following strategies can be used to help children decode words and make sense of what they are reading.
On this page you will find tips and resources to help your child decode words.
On this page you will find tips and resources to help your child decode words.
Word Reading Strategies
Word Reading Strategies
- Use picture clues
- Sound out the word
- Look for parts of the word that you know
- Look for smaller words in larger words
- Try reading the word first with the short vowel sound, then with the long vowel sound
- Ask yourself, "Does this word makes sense in this sentence?"
- Skip the word, read to the end of the sentence, then go back and reread
- Use other words in the sentence as clues to help figure out the unknown word
Word Work Activities To Try At Home
Word Work Activities To Try At Home
- Use magnetic letters or foam letters to make words
- Make words using Play Doh
- Write words in sand or in shaving cream
- Play "I Spy" ... something that begins with the letter... something that rhymes with... etc.
- Play a matching game. Match upper and lower case letters, match pictures with beginning letter, etc.
- Make flash cards for letter identification and sounds
- Make flash cards for sight words
- Play BINGO with letters or words
- Put letters together to spell names of family members
- Play "Simon Says" ... child arranges letters according to Simon's directions then reads the word
- Arrange words in ABC order
- Write your words using sidewalk chalk