Reading in Kindergarten
The beginning stages of reading development may surprise you as your child starts their journey into literature.
In Kinder, we begin the school year learning a couple of letters per week until all 26 letters of the alphabet have been introduced. This is called "ABC Bootcamp." We take a couple of days to focus on one letter at a time, to learn what it looks like (upper and lower case), the sound it makes, words that begin with the letter sound, and how to correctly write each letter.
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After learning each letter and letter sound, the students will start applying their knowledge to tap out (or sound out) three letter words spelled with consonant, vowel, consonant (CVC words). Once all of the basic word families have been introduced, we will move on to CVCe words. These are words that have the long vowel sound, with the silent e at the end of the word.
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One of the most important skills for early readers to master is phonological awareness. Phonological awareness includes many skills: rhyming, syllables, segmenting, isolating sounds in words, changing sounds in words, and manipulating words. We practice these skills each day using a program called Heggerty.
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Every thing we do that is listed above will help your child become an independent reader. However, the most important and proven way to help your child become a great reader is to read together at home, every day.
It is crucial that your Kindergardener enjoys reading and does not view it as a chore or punishment.
Here are some tips that can help your child become a fluent reader:
* Let him pick out his own books.
Just because he can't read words does not mean he can't read pictures!! Besides, you can always read it to him. :)
*Environmental Print
Reading signs around town is a fun and educational way to help your child with letters and sounds.
Environmental print also includes cereal boxes, candy wrappers, and even board games.
Make a list when you go to the store. Have your kids help you read what is needed.
* Let her see you reading and enjoying novels, magazines, newspapers and even letters from friends/family.
* Designate a space for reading.
Make a comfy, cozy place next to a window or in a quiet room where only people who are reading can sit.
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* When your child finds a good book, encourage her to read it again and again
* Ask questions about what you just read to your child or what he just read to you.
Ask Why?, What would you have done?, What do you think will happen next?
* Make it a game
Make some flash cards and give an extra five minutes of playtime for every word your child reads correctly
Play hangman while waiting for dinner to cook
Play the ABC game in the car when you're driving around the city
There are many other great strategies out there for helping your child become a super fantastic reader. Just go to Google.com and type in "Reading Tips for Parents"
