3 Reasons Why “How Do I Teach My Child to Read?” is a Critical Question Parents are Asking NOW
Because so many jurisdictions have shifted to online schooling, if you have a first-grader or kindergartner, you might be wondering: “How do I teach my child to read?”. Read these 3 Critical Questions to get the answers you need before you start to teach your child to read. It will save you time and frustration.
Good question. While learning to read is often left to the school system, teaching a child to read is not particularly difficult. Given the right tools—and a patient mom or dad—you can teach your child to read, whether or not he or she is physically going to school.
After all, parents have been teaching their children to read for generations. And not surprisingly, the way parents were teaching during the era of the one-room schoolhouse is same approach that science tells us today is the most effective. Phonics!
But before you begin teaching your child to read using phonics, take a look below at the 3 reasons it’s critical that you do.
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3 Reasons Why “How Do I Teach My Child to Read?” is Part of the Critical Questions To Ask
1) Over the past 50 years or so, there has been a tremendous debate about the best way to teach a child to read. Some kids learn no matter what. For whatever reason, they are able to ‘pick-up’ the code no matter how reading is presented to them in school or at home. But then there’s everybody else. Science continually tells us that the best way to teach MOST children how to read is by using a phonics-based approach.
So the first answer to “How do I teach my child to read” is to use a program that relies mostly on phonics. Phonics teaches children the sounds and rules of individual letters and blends, then combines those sounds to make words. Once your child ‘gets’ the code, his or her reading skills will develop quickly.
2) Secondly to carry on with critical questions about teaching to read, keep your lessons very short, which is easy to do with phonics. When reading becomes a chore, small children begin to resist sitting down to learn. We recommend no more than 5 minutes a day for children ages 3 to 6. By keeping lessons so short, you will find your child resisting when you stop. They’ll always want more! Besides, you’re busy. Consistency is the key to learning, and when your lessons turn into micro-lessons, it will be easier for you to stay committed to a regular schedule.
Teach Your Child to Read is a phonics-based program for children ages 3-6. Try it 7 DAYS for free, and you’ll see how quickly your child picks up ‘the code.’
3) And finally to wrap up the critical questions about teaching your child to read, let your child set the pace. There is no need to hurry through the lessons, since reading is a skill that lasts a lifetime. The beauty of phonics is that it is a linear approach to teaching reading, so you can work your way methodically through a phonics as quickly—or slowly—as you need to. We’ve seen kids zip right through our program, often-times becoming independent readers by Steps 3 or 4.
Other children need many months to complete the lessons, which is fine. No need to create anxiety for you or your child by setting unrealistic expectations that are impossible for your child to meet.
So here’s the answer to your question: “How do I teach my child to read?” Use a phonics-based approach, keep the lessons short, and let your child set the pace. Click the button below to learn more about how Teach Your Child to Read can help you teach your child to read.