5 Things to Look For When Choosing a Phonics Program to Help your Child Learn to Read
by Mary Follin
Help your child learn to read with phonics.
Do you want to help your child learn to read with phonics? Now that parents and schools are sharing more responsibility for learning, many parents are turning to online phonics programs to help their children learn to read at home.
Because there are so many options to choose from, you can feel confident there’s a program out there that will work for your child. But please be thoughtful! Do consider your child’s age, learning style, and how much time you have each day to dedicate to your lessons.
Below you will find 5 key features to look for when choosing an online phonics program to help your child learn to read.
But first, let’s talk about phonics and why it’s so critical you choose a phonics-based method to help your child learn to read.
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Why Should Your Child Learn to Read with Phonics?
Phonics is an instructional approach that focuses on the relationship between sounds and their corresponding letters or letter combinations. By emphasizing the phonetic elements of language, your child will learn how to decode words and recognize patterns, paving the way for proficient reading. Your child will also more easily acquire advanced skills if you choose a phonics-based approach to help them learn to read, such as:
Enhanced Word Recognition
Teaching children to read with phonics enhances their ability to recognize words independently. The systematic approach of breaking down words into phonemes and blending them back together empowers young learners to decipher unfamiliar words with confidence. This skill is fundamental for advancing through various reading levels and comprehending more complex texts.
Improved Spelling and Writing Skills
A solid foundation in phonics not only benefits reading but also contributes significantly to spelling and writing proficiency. Understanding the phonetic structure of words enables children to spell words more accurately and express themselves in writing more effectively. This interconnected web of language skills forms a robust basis for academic success across multiple subjects.
Boosted Reading Comprehension
Learning to read with phonics enables a deeper understanding of whatever your child is reading. As children become adept at decoding words effortlessly, they can shift their focus to comprehending the meaning behind the words. This heightened comprehension is a vital skill that will serve them well in all subjects in school—and beyond.
Now let’s get to the methodology. How do you choose the best phonics-based approach for helping your child learn to read? Use the following 5 tips to help you decide.
5 Things to Be Aware of When Choosing a Program to Help Your Child Learn to Read
1) Does the program take a linear approach?
Phonics is surprisingly easy to teach. The beauty of phonics is that is starts with learning the sounds of each letter of the alphabet, then combining those sounds to make words. Once your child can sound out ‘c-a-t’ or -‘d-o-g,’ he or she has a solid understanding of how to decode the English language. You might find that a lot of programs ‘jump around,’ creating confusion. When this happens, a child can miss the foundational concept of how to decode, which can create make it difficult to learn to read.
2) Long Lessons
3) Tons of Screen Time
4) Passive Learning
Of course, with any program you choose, you want to make sure your child will actually learn to read. But it’s also important to be aware of HOW she or he will learn to read. When children are spoon-fed information—through entertainment, for example—they may get used to learning passively. When you’re searching for a program, you may want to require it to be fully-interactive so your child feels empowered as he or she works through the lessons.
5) Isolated Learning
Please don’t plant your kids in front of screens! This short window of learning is a special opportunity for you to share time with your child. By spending time WITH your children as they learn to read, you will be showing them how important reading is to you.
Teach Your Child to Read is a gentle, nurturing approach for helping your child learn to read with phonics. If you’re ready to teach your child to read, give our program a try!
Your Child Can Learn to Read with Phonics!
Teach Your Child to Read is extremely easy to use. Watch this video an you’ll see why! Take advantage of our 7 DAY FREE TRIAL, to find out if Teach Your Child to Read™ is the right program for you.