The Secret to Teaching Your Child to Read Confidently

1. Begin with the Building Blocks – Letters and Their Sounds

Teaching children the sounds of each letter is the first step in their reading journey. Each letter of the alphabet has its own sound, and understanding these sounds is fundamental. Introducing letters and their associated sounds using fun activities and games helps children internalise them naturally.

For instance, “A” makes the “a” sound in words like “apple” and “alligator.” Once kids grasp these sounds, they start recognising them in other words, paving the way for reading success.

2. Blend Sounds to Unlock the Magic of Words

Once children are familiar with individual letter sounds, blending them together forms words. This blending technique allows kids to decode unfamiliar words by putting sounds together. It’s like piecing together a puzzle – each sound contributes to forming a word.

Activities that involve blending, such as creating simple words using magnetic letters or sounding out words while reading together, reinforce this skill.

3. Master the Art of Phonics Rules

Phonics rules are like the secret codes that help decipher tricky words. Understanding these rules enables children to tackle more complex words with confidence. For instance, the silent “e” rule (e.g., “cake” and “make”) or the “magic e” that changes the pronunciation of a vowel in a word.

By familiarising children with these rules, they become adept at applying them while reading, giving them the tools to tackle various words independently.

4. Embrace Sight Words for Fluent Reading

Sight words are commonly used words that may not follow regular phonetic rules. While they can’t always be decoded phonetically, they’re crucial for fluent reading. Children need to recognise these words instantly without having to sound them out.

Introducing sight words through games, flashcards, and interactive activities aids in their memorisation. Once children are familiar with these words, they can read sentences more smoothly, enhancing their overall reading fluency.

In Singapore, Effective Phonics Classes for Preschool and Kindergarten

Our phonics classes in Singapore specialise in teaching kids how to read effectively. With a strong focus on phonics and sight words, our program ensures that children gain confidence in their reading abilities.