Learning to read is a process that starts when a newborn begins hearing sounds. According to Succeed to Read website, newborn babies listen to words and start learning how to talk. Once children are 3 years old their vocabularies grow and they learn rhyming skills. By first grade, children learn how to blend letters together and memorize words by sight. Then they start reading simple sentences. Many techniques will help your child learn to read.
Read to Child
The most important technique to encourage your child to read is reading to her, claims the website Teaching Children to Read. The site explains that reading to your child on a daily basis increases her vocabulary and familiarity with written words, also known as "book language." Reading to your child helps her learn that printed letters represent meaningful words. Reading to her will also spark an interest in learning to read. When you read to your child, point to the words and sound out the letters. Explain to her that sentences go from left to right and that all stories have a beginning and an ending. It won't be long before she wants to try it herself.
Phonics
The most popular technique to teach a child to read is the phonics method, according to Teaching Treasures. This method is based on the child learning the alphabet. First he learns the sounds that letters make. Next, he is taught how to blend two letters to form small words. After he has mastered words that have two letters, he begins adding a third letter, and then a fourth letter until he can easily sound out larger words and eventually read sentences. The site encourages parents to keep phonics lessons brief and fun.
Use Appealing Books
Teaching Treasures also recommends the context support technique for helping your child learn how to read. For this method you choose books that will appeal to your child and hold her interest. If you are teaching a boy how to read, books about cars or sports may appeal to him. A girl may be more interested in books about dolls or princesses. The website notes that books are available that conform to this technique. They have a long sentence printed on one side of the page and a few words printed on the other side of the page. You read the long sentence and your child reads the key words on the other side. These books are also full of pictures that will hold your child's interest.
