Learning to Read: Keep it Easy!

Do you remember learning how to read? I would guess that some people do and some people don't. If you don't remember learning how to read, then I would guess that reading came easily for you. For those of you who struggled, you may not only still remember that struggle, but you may also remember the frustration and tears that may have accompanied that struggle.

I have tried especially hard to keep my fourth child from getting to the point of frustration and tears. That means going slow, staying consistent, and maintaining cheerfulness. If your child is crying, you need to stop and try again tomorrow with something he can do successfully.

Magnet letters are a great activity to do with a child who is learning to read. The colors are bright and cheery, and children can manipulate the letters like a puzzle until they make a word. Magnet letters have been a favorite with all of my kids when they are learning to read.

Phonogram work is an essential part of any good program to help parents when teaching their children to read. Phonics is the best most proven method for teaching a child good reading skills. Don't get discouraged if your child does not remember the phonograms. Some children will pick them up quickly and never forget them. Others will struggle to remember the sounds and will need lots of repetition and practice. I taught fourth grade in a Texas public school district about sixteen years ago. One year, I had an entire class of fourth graders who read below grade level and about half the class was eligible for special education classes. That year, the special ed teacher came to my classroom everyday and taught the children phonograms. By the end of the year, most of the children's reading skills had came up an entire grade level! Phonics are important and teaching by this method works! Next week, I will share several phonics programs I have used and tell how each one helped my children along in the reading process.

Remember, reading needs to fun and painless. To help children understand that reading can be enjoyable, I wholeheartedly believe that children need to be read aloud to. If you have a child who is struggling with reading, read him lots of books. If you spend 20 minutes per day with that child on reading, then about five minutes should be spent with phonics work, and the rest should be spent in reading him a good book!