Page 20 - teachYourChildToRead

20 Teach your child to read

Syllables

“Before children can learn to read they need to become aware of how the
sounds in words work. They must understand that words are made up of
speech sounds ”.
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Clapping is one of the easiest ways for children to understand that words
are made up of separate sounds. Identification of the rhythm of language
enables children to become actively engaged with the words and the
syllables within language.

Encourage children to clap, stamp or tap out words they hear. Learning
to divide words into chunks or syllables is an important skill needed for
decoding written text.

TIP: Identify syllables by clapping family member’s names; it
is a fun and valuable learning experience. For example, clap
once for Kyle, twice for Asher and four times for Gabriella.
These types of games aid sound identification and promote pre
reading skills.

Reading together

“Reading aloud by parents is the single most critical factor in a child’s
reading success later in life ”.
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Every minute reading with your child will make a difference. Not
only will you be promoting good reading habits and developing their
comprehension skills, but you will also be creating incredible memories
they will carry with them for life.

From 24 months to 36 months children’s concentration span increases.
Around fifteen minutes each day is a reasonable time to read together, a
little less for younger children and a little more for older ones.