I am teaching my three-year-old to read. (He'll be four in Dec)He knows his letters and sounds but has trouble blending. Does anyone know of any tricks I can use to help him understand how to blend?
Thank everyone for your suggestions. I think maybe I gave the wrong impression?? I don't force him to read. He's interested in learning. His dad, sister and I read to him all the time. He loves being read to and "reading" himself. He looks at pictures and makes up stories or memorizes books and "reads" them himself. He loves sounding out words he just has trouble blending. I wouldn't force my children to do anything but when they show genuine interest in something I help them achieve. Thanks.
We like the leapfrog dvd called Word Factory. It is under $10 at Wal-mart. They also have one called Letter Factory. And, my kids watch WordWorld on tv. It is great, too. Good luck!
I commend you for wanting to help your child eary - but all research indicates the single best thing you can do to help your child read - is to read to him. I have read to my kids daily since they were babies - all 3 of my kids LOVE reading. My 6th grader was a reading at a 5th grade level in the first half of 1st grade. My Kindergardener is an early reader now - she LOVES books and loves to "read" them. My 4th grade son was slower to warm up to reading - but now is a crazy reader. both my husband and myself are big readers - and we all read a lot - go to the library often and just try to make reading seem desirable - not a chore.
Developmentally I just don't think it makes sense - I have to agree with the posted information about comprehension - that is the key to real reading success.
I know you want what is best for your child. I however, would be concerned that developementally he is not ready. I'm an educator and reading specialist. Please understand I'm not trying to tell you that you are wrong for doing what you are doing. I admire you for spending time with your child. More children need this.
I feel you would be better off reading to your son. I know you do but I mean don't force him to read. I work with many parents that tell me their son/daughter has been reading since they were 3 years old. They can't understand why my teachers don't have them way above grade level.Here is the reason: Often I see too many kids enter school ... where they sound like readers...yet, honestly they are not readers. You may ask what I mean by they're not readers. Accuracy/word call is not reading. A reader needs to be able to understand and comprehend what they read, not just word call for lack of better words. These two things work hand and hand.
In my opinion you need to read daily to your child. I'm sure you do. Take what you read and just talk about it. As for the sounds and letters that is awesome. He will have a better grasp when he enters school and reading will take off at an appropriate developmental pace.
My son and I have always read since he was a newborn. I never tried to teach him to read. He knew his letters and some sounds at a very early age. Some of that came with the books I read to him as well as the experiences he had in preschool. I also kept cd's in the car with stories and songs for us to listen to and sing-along with. Some powerful moments and memorable moments happened in the car. :-)
He is now in first grade and quite honestly is reading at a 2nd/3rd grade level with both comprehension and accuracy. He could read more but developmentally he isn't ready in my opinion. He thinks reading is reading fast. Many kids do. I also happened to believe that children should not read subject matters that are not age appropriate.
I think we should allow our kids to be kids and emerse our family life with healthy conversation and quality experiences. These are the experiences that will allow our children to be readers and writers and for the most part stronger readers and writers.
I'm sorry I got on my bandwagon. I didn't give you what you really wanted but reading and writing are a passion of mine and I have some strong thoughts on the subject.
Have fun with your little one. They grow up so fast. Enjoy those moments. :-)
Hi S.,
It could be that 3yrs old is just too young for that concept yet...the little connections in their brains are just not developed enough. My only suggestion would be to wait til he's a bit older. It is amazing when they are working on a concept and you see the light-bulb moment go off in their eyes when it finally clicks! But, pushing them at too young an age will only lead to frustration (for you and them).
**BTW, I'm only speaking from a mommy perspective, having watched my daughter learn to read in Kindergarten. So, I'd be interested to see if anyone in the education world has any suggestions here.**
My daughter who is now almost 8 years old took an interest in reading at 3 years old. In her first grade year she was testing at an end of the 3rd grade level. Some kids just pick it up so easily. Others require more time. I now have a near 5 yr. old that is learning a little later. I taught (and am currently teaching) my kids how to read with a book called Teach Your Child To Read In a 100 Easy Lessons. They are about 15 minutes per day and I usually do about 3-4 lessons per week. It is a very gentle approach and teaches them from a phonics approach. We also make flash cards with the common sight words like: and, as, if, can, cat....
Hope this helps! I think it is so much fun to teach children how to read. I love to see the little lightbulbs going off as they conquer another word. Most importantly read to your child every day, more than once a day, all kinds of books. Develop the love of literature with all kinds of different genres....fiction, non-fiction, biographies, poetry, mysteries, etc. Have fun! We have "marathon" days where I will stack the entire pile of library books on the couch next to us and I just committ to reading to my kids until they say they are done. I'm amazed how they'll just sit forever and sometimes we get through the whole stack!
OK I've rambled on and on but you hit my passion button! I don't think 3 years old is too early to teach reading at all. Just be very gentle and when he starts squirming around then your done for that part of the day.
Hope that helps! Have fun!
M.
Hi, I agree with the teacher/reading specialist. Don't make reading something he is forced to do; make it something he loves.
I am a prek teacher and have them at all levels. I also have a son who just turned two and knows all his letters, sounds of the letters, etc, but there is just no way he is developmentally ready to understand, kwim?
The thing that is most important is comprehension. Read stories to him and talk to him about the story. Predictions, vocabulary, why they are doing what they are doing, etc.
MANY children are taught to "read" early, but they have absolutely NO idea WHAT they are reading. This makes them not LIKE to read.
He has plenty of time to learn, and like I said, comprehension and enjoying reading are the most important, I promise!
There is also some schools, like Campbell Christian, who do nothing but forcing them to read and do math facts 2 hours a day, then they are "home schooled" by mom drilling them with rules and facts.
I have seen one of these supposed "readers" who has NO IDEA WHAT he is reading. He sounds like a robot, and cannot tell you ONE thing about what he just read. It's sad. :(
