More for Parents!
Here are some teaching tips to practice with your child.
Practice letter recognition. Help your child recognize the letters of the alphabet. Make flashcards with a capital letter on one side and a picture and word of something that starts with that letter. You can also buy alphabet flashcards.
Practice letter sounds. Once your child begins to recognize letters, you can start practicing the sounds that each letter makes. (B sounds like “buh”, M sounds like “Mmmmmm”.) Teach your child that the long vowel letters, A, E, I, O, and U, sound like their name, and short vowel letters have a different sound. You can find letter sound games and songs at the library or online.
Combine letters to make words. You can start with your child’s name, then try making short words with more letters your child knows. Make or buy alphabet letters (paper, plastic or wooden letters, magnetic letters or bathtub letters.) Together, you can mix up letters and make your own real or crazy-mixed-up words!
Practice letter sounds. Once your child begins to recognize letters, you can start practicing the sounds that each letter makes. (B sounds like “buh”, M sounds like “Mmmmmm”.) Teach your child that the long vowel letters, A, E, I, O, and U, sound like their name, and short vowel letters have a different sound. You can find letter sound games and songs at the library or online.
Combine letters to make words. You can start with your child’s name, then try making short words with more letters your child knows. Make or buy alphabet letters (paper, plastic or wooden letters, magnetic letters or bathtub letters.) Together, you can mix up letters and make your own real or crazy-mixed-up words!
It is fun and easy to practice reading together!
