Phonics Children's Internet Learning
The Internet offers educators an almost unlimited resource for teaching phonics to young children. Numerous sites provide games, worksheets, flash cards and activities to teach and reinforce phonics skills. These resources are effective tools for homeschool parents, classroom teachers and parents who want to give their children a head start before Kindergarten or extra help after school.
Other People Are Reading
-
Benefits
-
According to KidSource, children as young as 3 can explore computers using age-appropriate programs. These children show greater developmental gains than children who do not use computers. About 25 percent of American 5 year olds use the Internet, according to a 2001 U.S. Department of Education survey, and computers are an everyday part of life for most children. Parents and teachers can use a child's interest in computers to encourage phonics practice through online games and activities.
Internet phonics games and lessons are designed to be fun and appealing to children of all ages. Some children who aren't interested in learning phonics will enjoy--and learn--phonics when given the chance to play Internet games.
Getting Started
-
Your teaching plans will determine which phonics resources you choose. Answer these questions to help you decide which phonics sites to look at first.
Will you use a phonics program in your classroom/home and use Internet resources as a supplement? Look for phonics worksheets and simple games that complement your daily teaching.
Do you want online phonics lessons for a fun diversion that reinforces phonics skills without "feeling like school" for your student? Choose interactive games and videos with songs and lively activities.
Do you wish to combine Internet phonics resources to form a complete phonics curriculum for your student? Combine printable worksheets, flashcards, interactive games and instructional videos.
-
Types
-
Websites for teaching phonics offer a wide variety of teaching methods and techniques to suit each teacher's preferences and the needs of her students. Some Internet sites offer printable worksheets for students to complete away from the computer. Other sites give children games that they can play to learn phonics and early reading skills. These games touch all three learning channels. The child sees what is on the screen, hears what is said and can type or click his response.
Phonics websites range from simple black and white worksheets to flashy, bright videos with songs, games and interaction between the child and characters in the lesson. Some phonics teaching sites use characters that children may already know from television--Lionel from PBS Kids' Between the Lions is the star of a phonics game called Blending Bowl.
A site called USAReadingSchool.com supplies a complete, one to two semester course in phonics for free. This course is designed for a parent to use with her child before he enters first grade, but it can be adapted for use with an older struggling reader or a child with special educational needs.
Parent and Teacher Involvement
-
Offer the help your student needs to navigate phonics websites, but allow him to complete the lessons and games himself as much as possible. Clicking and exploring a web page independently teaches confidence. Be prepared to help correct mistakes the child makes, but stay positive and encouraging.
As the student gets older and more knowledgeable in using computers, she will need less help. Stay available to answer questions and give praise for a job well done.
Cautions
-
Monitor the amount of time your student spends using the computer. WholeFamily.com suggests a maximum of two one-hour periods per day, yet young children should spend less time at the computer than older children. After determining the length of time your child can use the computer, remind her to take frequent breaks. Use a timer or a software program to signal break times.
-
