Phonics = Sounds + Symbols

Reading is like learning to drive and the alphabet is like a car. Nobody would memorize the names of the parts of a car and expect to climb into a vehicle and drive to the store by reciting them.

Learning the names of letters and their order is important, but it is only one skill children must master before they can lift meaning from symbols on the page.

Beginning readers must learn to recognize the shapes of letters. This can be difficult for some children who are skilled at recognizing the fact that some shapes are the same, even though they are turned in different directions. For example, b, d, p, and q are all really the same symbol. Activities like coloring, cutting and pasting, and making rubbings can help children recognize and match shapes.

Next children must associate sounds with letter shapes. In English, some letters, especially vowels, have several different sounds. When helping your child to name the sounds letters make, start with dependable ones like b, t, m, and d. Save c and g until later. When you are in the store, name an item such as lettuce, and challenge you child to name something else that starts with the same sound. When your young reader recognizes the sound, point out the letter that represents it.

Verses and rhymes help children to recognize similar sounds. Share songs, poems, and rhyming stories with them whenever you can.

Stories and poems of all kinds are useful in another way. They help kids to develop a rich, full store of wonderful words. Children will learn to decode words they recognize more easily than words they do not know.

You have heard it many times, but it is true. Parents are the first and most important teachers. Speak with your child. Listen to him. Help him learn to recognize sounds and letter shapes. Don't forget to take him to the library! It's private kingdom just for readers.