| A lot of people ask me, what books I should use to | | | | (review is very important), they are pretty short, |
| develop my child's reading skills. The answer is | | | | and children enjoy them. |
| decodable readers. These are books your child should | | | | FUN Phonics Readers: The FUN Phonics series still sell |
| be able to read almost independently with a little | | | | very well, even though a lot of companies are |
| practice. | | | | making them and competition is greater. This is |
| I recommend tackling reading after your child already | | | | because these books are well illustrated, upbeat, |
| has a strong understanding between letters and the | | | | moral tales. |
| sounds they make. If your child does not know the | | | | A lot of parents start reading books with their |
| sound that "B" makes, or the sound that "A" makes, | | | | children that can actually be a little difficult for a |
| then it would be a little overwhelming to expect | | | | beginning reader. The Dr. Suess books, for instance, |
| them to blend words together that use "B" and "A". | | | | would look perfect for young readers, but they're |
| Here's how I would approach reading development: | | | | actually quite challenging. These are a more |
| 1. Make sure your child can recognize all letters of the | | | | intermediate level reader. |
| alphabet with quick recall. | | | | But truthfully, if you search online for decodable |
| 2. Teach the 44 phonemes and 70 graphemes that | | | | readers you should be able to find a lot of free |
| compose English reading. | | | | books out there. |
| 3. Use books and games to learn how to blend | | | | The main elements of a decodable reader are |
| letters together to read. | | | | essentially as follows: |
| The best way to practice reading decodable readers | | | | 1. Usually short in length. |
| is this. Most decodable readers have 3 letter words. | | | | 2. Use a few main sounds over and over. |
| Point to each letter in the word and solicit what | | | | 3. Words tend to be short (three letter words, or |
| sound each letter makes. Cover the last letter in the | | | | CVC words, are commonly used). |
| word with your hand. Show your child how the first | | | | One criticism that is sometimes levied against |
| two letters in the word blend together to make a | | | | decodable readers is that they are quite boring |
| new sound. Then, uncover the third letter, and show | | | | compared to more traditional children's titles, and they |
| how all three letters blend together to make a new | | | | will spoil the child's interest in reading. I argue that |
| word. | | | | these books are a tool to get started reading. A |
| Here are some excellent titles that will skyrocket | | | | stepping stone to the world of more challenging, |
| your child's reading abilities. I recommend starting to | | | | interesting books. |
| read these once your child has a strong idea about | | | | I'd liken decodable readers to learning to ski on the |
| what sounds the letter makes (ie. they know that | | | | bunny hill. Sure, it's not as fun as flying down the |
| "b" says "bear" and "bagel": | | | | mountain, but you definitely wouldn't want to start |
| BOB Books: These books are very popular with | | | | off that way. Work on the fundamentals first before |
| parents, and with good reason. They start off by | | | | trying to tackle something more difficult. |
| showing what letter sounds will be used in the book | | | | |