Phonics is the ability to understand the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent. This includes: 1) Recognizing print patterns that represent sounds; 2) Syllable patterns; 3) Word parts (prefixes, suffixes, and root words)
- Make letter sounds and have your child write the letter or letters that match the sounds.
- Play word games that connect sounds with syllables and words (for example, if the letters "p-e-n" spell pen, how do you spell hen?)
- Write letters on cards. Hold up the cards one at a time and have your child say the sounds (for example the /d/ sound for the letter d).
- Teach your child to match the letters in his/her name with the sounds in his/her name.
- Point out words that begin with the same letter as your child's names (for example, John and jump). Talk about how the beginning sounds of the words are alike.
- Use alphabet books and guessing games to give your child practice in matching letters and sounds. A good example is the game, "I am thinking of something that starts with /t/."
- Write letters on pieces of paper and put them in a paper bag. Let your child reach into the bag and take out the letters. Have your child say the sounds that match the letters.
- Take a letter and hide it in your hand. Let your child guess in which hand is the letter. Then show the letter and have your child say the letter name and make the sound (for example, the letter m matches the /m/ sound as in man).
- Make letter sounds and ask your child to draw the matching letters in cornmeal or sand.
- Take egg cartons and put a paper letter in each slot until you have all the letters of the alphabet in order. Say letter sounds and ask your child to pick out the letters that match those sounds.
- Building words - using magnetic letters, make a three letter word on the refrigerator (cat). Have your child read the word and use it in a sentence. Every day, change one letter to make a new word. Start by changing only the beginning letter (cat, bat, hat, sat, mat, rat, pat). Then change only the ending letter (pat, pal, pad, pan). Finally change only the middle letter (pan, pen, pin, pun).
- Labeling words - When reading with your child, keep Post-It notes handy. Every so often, have your child choose one object in the picture and write the word on a Post-It. Put the note in the book to read each time you come to that page.
- Practicing words with pictures - Choose pictures from a magazine or catalog. Say the name of the picture, have your child say the sound that the picture begins with and the name of that letter.
- Hunting for words - Choose a letter and have your child hunt for five items beginning with that letter sound. As each object is found, help your child write the word on the list. For example, if the target sound is "m," the child might find and write mop, mat, Mom, money, and microwave.
- Tips for helping your child sound out words: 1) First Sound - Have your child say the first sound in the word and make a guess based on the picture or surrounding words. Double-check the printed word to see if it matches the child's guess. 2) Sound and Blend - Have your child say each sound separately (ssss aaa t). This is called "sounding it out." Then say the sounds together (sat). This is "blending." 3) Familiar Parts - When your child starts reading longer words, have him notice the parts of the word that he already knows. For example, in a word such as "presenting," your child may already know the prefix pre-, the word "sent," and the word ending -ing.
- Teach your child to recognize the letters in his/her own name.
- Use magnetic letters to spell words on the refrigerator or spell names of family members and friends.
- Ask your child to name stores, restaurants, and other places that have signs. This is called environmental print. Have your child cut the images of these signs from bags, take-out containers, and fliers and post them somewhere to make an Environmental Print Word Wall.
- Make alphabet letters out of Play-doh.
- Play "Memory" or "Go Fish" using alphabet cards.
- Read alphabet books to your child and eventually ask him/her to name the items on the page that you know he/she can successfully tell you.
- Make blend-sounds and have your child write the letters that match the sounds.
- Play word games that connect sounds with syllables and words (for example, if the letters "l-a-t-e-r" spell later, how do you spell hater? How many syllables are in later?).
- Write vowel and consonant digraphs, trigraphs, and blends on cards. Hold up the cards one at a time and have your child say the sounds (for example, the long sound /e/ for the vowel digraphs ea and ee).
- Writing words - Many children love to send and receive notes, and writing is a great way to reinforce phonics skills. Send your child notes in his/her backpack or place notes on their pillow. Have a relative or friend send a letter or email to your child. Whenever your child receives a note, have him/her write back. Don't be concerned about spelling. Instead, have your child sound out the words to the best of his/her ability.
- Hunting for words - Choose a blend and have your child hunt for five items beginning with that sound. As each object is found, help your child write the word on a list. For example, if the target sound is "bl," he child might find write blanket, blood, blue, blizzard, blast.
- Tips for helping your child sound out words: 1) First Sound - Have your child say the first sound in the word and make a guess based on the picture or surrounding words. Double-check the printed word to see if it matches the child's guess. 2) Sound and Blend - Have your child say each sound separately (ssss aaa t). This is called "sounding it out." Then say the sounds together (sat). This is "blending." 3) Familiar Parts - When your child starts reading longer words, have him notice the parts of the word that he already knows. For example, in a word such as "presenting," your child may already know the prefix pre-, the word "sent," and the word ending -ing.
- Play "Memory" or "Go Fish" using consonant and vowel digraphs, trigraphs, and blends.