Unlocking the Power of Phonics: Revolutionize Your Child's Reading Journey
By Marla Fernandez, Advocate and Writer
You Don’t Need Texts to Make Phonics Stick
To teach kids phonics effectively, you must focus on teaching them the sounds of the 26 letters, their combinations, and their exceptions.
Let’s start by looking back at what the phonics system involved before the progressive movement era when the debate on how to teach reading began. In this discussion, we’ll address two types of problems: sound problems and sight problems.
First, the sound problem: Traditional methods had teachers sounding out words for students to write. Many teachers provided exhaustive details about sounds and their combinations. However, this level of detail is unnecessary because children are not learning entirely new sounds when they begin reading. Instead, they are recognizing, in written form, the language they already know. So, it’s sufficient to teach the primary sounds of vowels.
Second, the sight problem: Here, students see a word and identify its sound.
Some critics of the phonics system argue that it confuses children when letters do not always make the same sounds. Meanwhile, some proponents of the system use multiple marks to represent sounds in the language. Both of these approaches have their flaws.
Fact: Letters do not consistently represent the same sounds. This reality actually helps train students to use both their senses and sight to determine word sounds. An analogy is useful here: think of vowels as girls and consonants as boys. When two girls (vowels) come together, one often remains silent while the other does the talking.
Now, let’s talk solutions. The progressive movement, by shifting from the established phonics system to a look-and-say method, caused significant harm. The issue with this method is that it encourages children to solve sight problems before tackling sound problems.
Text should indeed be introduced to students from day one, but it should primarily be used to address sound problems, not sight problems. Unfortunately, many “decodable” books used in America teach children to read by sight too early in the process. Students end up memorizing or guessing words before truly understanding the sounds each word makes. This habit can hinder a child’s ability to read accurately and fluently.
The problem won’t disappear by continuing with the same approach. It’s essential to break the habit of guessing words or memorizing them entirely. The Word Method, which emphasizes training the eye, is a significant reason why many children struggle with reading. Instead, children should first learn to recognize the sounds that letters make and then pronounce each sound correctly. Only then should they move on to understanding how these sounds come together to form words.
Start by making learning fun with games that associate letters with common objects in pictures. Prioritize training the ear and then the tongue before shifting focus to the eye.
"When children start to read, they're not discovering new sounds; they're recognizing the language they already know in written form. Focus on teaching them the primary vowel sounds. 📚🔤 #ReadingSkills #Phonics"
Teach Your Child to Read Before They Start School
Before the 20th century, when there were no nearby schools or publicly funded institutions, our pioneers practiced teaching their children to read before they set foot in school. Today, whether you send your child to a public, private, or charter school, it’s important to understand that no school will teach your child how to read correctly.
But don’t worry; countless English and American parents have done it before you – teaching their kids to read before they even start school. The key is to teach your child the sounds of all 26 letters, including some fifty letter combinations, both in lowercase and uppercase.
Here’s a crucial fact to consider: children in the pre-20th century era didn’t begin formal schooling until the age of 8. Thus, it’s essential to recognize that formal education should ideally commence at this age. Before that, children should engage in informal learning, primarily through play.
One effective reading game to play with your child is “monkey see and monkey do” (you can find more tips in my previous post on “Tips for Teachers”). Be patient and wait until your child can recognize that letters correspond to specific sounds and can pronounce each correctly. Once they’ve grasped this, you can move on to eye training – helping them sound out letters to form words and eventually achieving word mastery.
For a phonics primer, consider using Wipe-Clean First Words Cards. Let’s say you pick a card with a picture of a “MAT” on it. Show only the picture and say the name “m-a-t.” Write “m-a” on your IKEA easel as “ma,” then write “t-a” as “ta.” Proceed to write “a-t” as “at,” and so forth. It may take some time to get the hang of it, but practice makes perfect.
Repeat this process with other word cards. For instance, if you choose a “CAT” card, sound out “c-a-t,” write “c-a” on the board as “ca,” and continue with “a-t” as “at,” “c-a-m” as “cam,” and so on.
When it comes to reading stories with your child, avoid books like Bob books, which still follow the word method and can be quite dull. Similarly, steer clear of Dick-and-Jane or Alice-and-Jerry books, which also rely on the word method. Instead, opt for classic stories that have always captivated young children – nursery tales, simple fairy tales, and animal fables.
I recommend buying my handbook as an aid to teaching your child to read well:
Unlock the Power of Literacy with ‘How to Teach Your Student to Read in Three Simple Steps
Are you looking to empower your child or student with the essential skill of reading? Discover the transformative approach outlined in this groundbreaking book, designed to help parents, educators, and tutors guide learners toward reading proficiency with ease.
In ‘How to Teach Your Student to Read in Three Simple Steps,’ we demystify the often complex and overwhelming process of teaching reading. Our proven three-step method streamlines the journey to literacy, making it accessible for learners of all ages.
Step 1: Phonics Mastery Lay a strong foundation by introducing phonics in a simple and engaging manner. Watch as your student effortlessly grasps the sounds of the alphabet, building the crucial phonemic awareness needed for successful reading.
Step 2: Word Mastery Progress to word mastery with our carefully crafted exercises and activities. Witness your student’s newfound ability to decode words with confidence and accuracy. From basic vocabulary to more complex terms, they’ll be well-equipped to tackle any text.
Step 3: Reading Mastery Experience the joy of seeing your student become a proficient reader. With our expert guidance, they’ll advance from decoding words to comprehending sentences, paragraphs, and entire books. This final step cements their lifelong love for reading.
‘How to Teach Your Student to Read in Three Simple Steps’ is more than just a guide; it’s a roadmap to literacy success. Our approach is adaptable to various learning styles and tailored to individual needs, ensuring that every student achieves reading proficiency.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or tutor, this book equips you with the tools and techniques to nurture strong reading skills in your student. Say goodbye to reading struggles and hello to a world of knowledge, imagination, and endless possibilities.
Join the ranks of satisfied educators and parents who have witnessed the transformative impact of our three-step method. It’s time to unlock the power of literacy and set your student on a path to lifelong learning and success.
Start your journey to teaching reading the simple way—order ‘How to Teach Your Student to Read in Three Simple Steps’ today!
Empowering Your Child Through Phonics
The primary goal in teaching your child to read is to empower them through their own efforts, ensuring they learn at the right time. Once your child associates letters with their corresponding sounds and can correctly pronounce them, it’s time to move on to eye training.
A quality phonics course typically includes over 3500 different words. Each word introduced in this course contains only one phonogram, which aligns with the initial sound introduced at the beginning of the series. It’s crucial not to present a student with words in their phonics lesson since only one sound is introduced at a time.
A significant fact to consider is that approximately 80% of all “non-readers” are boys. It’s worth noting that girls tend to be more receptive to phonics instruction. If your child is a boy struggling with reading, it’s advisable to halt all reading attempts and focus on providing simple phonics lessons for several months. Ensure that your child thoroughly masters the sounds and their combinations before reintroducing reading. During this time, continue reading aloud to them.
When your son is ready to resume reading, offer materials that pique his curiosity, such as adventure stories and nonfiction. Opt for content that he can quickly navigate through without feeling frustrated. Keep in mind that fairy tales may not be as engaging for boys.
Here are some recommendations:
Ludwig lives in a book with his friends, and everything in their world is made of paper – including them. Ludwig loves to read about different galaxies and planets; he wants to be an explorer. Then one day, something from another dimension crashes into Ludwig’s life . . . and he may finally get the chance to take off.
Put on the included 3-D glasses and watch the world of Ludwig and his friends – both close to home and far away – come alive.
Ludwig the Space Dog is a magical picture book. Even without the 3-D glasses, the illustrations are rich and layered, bursting with details. And even without the illustrations, the text is a beautiful, accessible homage to the power (both literally and figuratively) of books.
Do not introduce decodable books (also known as level readers or phonics readers), such as our phonics readers, until you have thoroughly trained your child’s ear and tongue.
Many reading experts may argue that this approach seems remedial because it appears too simple. However, the whole word method of teaching reading often prioritizes training the eye before your child has a solid foundation in recognizing the sounds each letter makes. In today’s context, a child with a learning disability often struggles with reading properly. By giving your child actual phonics lessons, you are effectively reversing this trend.
Spelling instruction should commence after you’ve trained your child’s eye, marking the next stage of word mastery. In contrast, the look-and-say system often introduces spelling early, leading to word memorization rather than true understanding. After a few weeks of practice in writing, introduce spelling. Focus on reinforcing the ability to recognize compound phonograms as wholes, without breaking them down into elementary sounds. This approach shortens the word recognition process and transforms spelling into a matter of reasoning. When conducting spelling lessons, concentrate on words with exceptions, as they are more likely to pose challenges for your child.
Once your child has thoroughly mastered phonics, whether it takes one, two, or three years, they will be capable of reading any text with comprehension. I assure you of this.
I recommend one final book:
Introducing the “Fizz the Police Dog” beginner chapter book series, where young readers embark on thrilling adventures alongside Fizz, an intrepid police dog with a nose for solving mysteries!
These captivating books are designed to bridge the gap between picture books and longer chapter novels, making them perfect for emerging readers eager to take their literacy skills to the next level. Each story follows Fizz and his human partner as they tackle exciting cases, unravel puzzles, and track down clues to uphold justice in their community.
Fizz’s tales are not only packed with suspense and action but also come with valuable life lessons about teamwork, responsibility, and the importance of making the right choices. With relatable characters and engaging storylines, the “Fizz the Police Dog” series will keep young readers eagerly flipping pages while improving their reading abilities.
Get ready to join Fizz on his daring escapades, where bravery and camaraderie prevail. Whether it’s solving mysteries or patrolling the neighborhood, Fizz shows that anyone can be a hero with determination and a strong sense of duty.
Start your child’s reading journey with the “Fizz the Police Dog” series and watch as they become confident, enthusiastic readers who can’t wait to dive into the next adventure!
