Teaching Your Child to Read Series

No Time for Flashcards is hosting the first post of series called Teaching Your Child to Read. It has some wonderful easy practical advice! Check it out here and look for the rest of the series over at I Can Teach My Child.

Letter Sound and Name Regonition Help

Letter Name Recognition and Letter Sound Recognition are the two most important predictors of reading achievement.  As a mom, educator and reading specialist I have searched for some of the best programs that are easily accessible and affordable for parents.  My children love playing with letters in the form of puzzles because under each letter is a picture they can relate too.  However, a parent can not stop there.  Children need to be introduced to the sounds letters make.  Letters are simply symbols for the sounds that week make when we say a word.  So, when we lift the "A" for airplane we focus more on the sound of "A" in the beginning of the word "/a/irplane".  This can be done with any alphabet book as well.

Let me also introduce you to Starfall...

4 year old using Starfall

Starfall helps children learn to read with phonics by introducing them to phonemic awareness [phonemes are the smallest units of sound].  The website is free to use but you can purchase the program so that you don't have to have the Internet to use it.  Even my littlest who is 3 can operate this mouse and play this program.  I'm amazed at what their little brains have been absorbing.  They now look for letters everywhere.  

Another inexpensive way to help children relate to letter sounds and letter names is through the Leap Frog programs.  My boys have LOVED watching the Letter Factory .

It is just another great way to introduce letter sounds and letter names.  Grab one or order them online and your little one will love it. 

Even though there are many games, toys and movies out there to teach children to read, the most important aspect of learning to read for a child is to be read to.  So, pull your little one up on your lap and read.

7 Great Children's Books to Read As An Adult

Or better yet, thrill your little one and read them aloud.  There is nothing more important to a child's understanding of literature than having a parent read aloud.  Even if the child doesn't see pictures, the parent paints the pictures in the child's mind by simply reading aloud.  There are so many skills a child learns by listening to a parent read on a regular basis.  Make it a night time ritual to read to your little one.  Read on to find a list of other great books.

4 Tips for Creating a Library

I have been working on a library of my own for my boys.  I found a few tips that might help you build one as well. 

The Bookcase Series 7

Another forward facing bookshelf.  These beautiful bookshelves make me think I've got it all wrong with my own. 

The Bookcase Series 6

This corner bookshelf is beautiful to look at and it holds tons of books.  Take a look at how simple this one was built.

The Bookcase Series 5

I had bookshelves like these in my classroom when I was teaching, they are easy to install and can be added to any room. 

The Bookcase Series 4

This standard bookshelf has been turned into a front facing book shelf so children can see what the books cover looks like.    This simple idea is super easy.

The Bookcase Series 3

A refinished bookshelf is fabulous for books and all kinds of goodies.

The Bookcase Series 2

Alphabet - Letter Rocks

When you take one look at these rocks, you know exactly what they are for.  Jennifer over at Just Write, shows us how to make these beautiful rocks that obviously should be used for letter recognition, spelling, phonemic awareness, etc.  Visit her blog for the how too...

The Bookcase Series 1

Because this is a blog about promoting early literacy, you better believe your bottom dollar that it is also going to start featuring on occasion some of the best bookcases we have found.  Children need to have books at their finger tips and having a forward facing book case like the one shown is ideal for any childs room.  Read how this book case was created from an old hutch.

The Desire to Learn How to Read

When my son was about 4 years old, he asked me to teach him to read.  At the time, I was a single mother, who worked full-time. Let me just say that I missed a great opportunity.  No matter how busy I was, I should have taken his request to heart.  I probably figured he'd be in school the following year and they would teach him.  By the time he was in first grade he was in special reading classes for those who had fallen behind.  They would pull him out of class, on a regular basis, and have the special ed teacher work with him.  For many years after that reading was a struggle for him.  I didn't like seeing him struggle, and even back then, regretted my procrastination. 

A few years later, when my daughter Sarah was about one, I would find her sitting quietly in a corner looking at books.  She had a love of books I have never seen in any child before.  At that point, I was reminded of Zachary's struggles and I was determined that I would never let that happen again.  So, when she was 4, and said she wanted to learn to read, I was determined not to miss the opportunity a second time.  Reading came natural to her and by the time she was 5 she was reading 3rd grade books. She is now 8 and can read anything she is given (although she is monitored). 

I know every child is different. But, when I look at my own experiences, I can't help but wonder if we shouldn't listen to our childrens requests more.  If they are asking to learn, teach them.  Do your best.  You don't have to have them reading books, but teach them the letter sounds, etc.  It is proven that learning is easier when you are young.  Children can learn multiple languages and music much easier.  Maybe, that can be said for reading too.

~Kristine