How to Teach a Child to Read

This article is rated "moderately easy," since teaching a child to read is, in and of itself, a fairly easy task. The challenge, however, comes in trying to maintain what the child has learned. Whether you are a parent or an educator, teaching a child to read is probably the most important skill you will give them. It is extremely important to keep challenging their reading skills, and to not grow lax on repetition and practice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Index cards
• Marker
• Beginning-reader books
• Homemade worksheets

How To Teach A Child To Read

1. Teach your child to recognize each letter of the alphabet and the sound (or sounds) that letter makes. When teaching the vowels (a,e,i,o,u), teach the short sounds first, as they will appear in most three letter words. (Ex: sat, wet, fit, top, hum.) Instead of spending money on expensive, pre-made "ABC" flash cards, make them yourself by using index cards.

2. On another set of index cards, create phonetic blends. (Ex.: sa, se, si, so, su.) Repeat these blends over and over with your child until he recognizes the blends and says them on his own. You're halfway there!

3. Next, develop some type of reward system for your child so that she can track her progress. Make a chart on a piece of poster board and allow your child to put a sticker up for each set of blends she learns. The chart should be labeled with the consonant letters (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, etc.) for easy tracking.

4. When your child has mastered several blends, make a set of flash cards that consist of the familiar blends and a letter to complete a word. (Ex.: sat, set, sit.) Explain to the child that some blends and ending letters do not make words, such as "sot" and "sut."

5. When your child feels comfortable enough, let him attempt to read a simple book. You can even write your own book, comprised of short, simple sentences full of words he knows. Help him sound out each word at first, but let him "go forth and conquer" what he can on his own.

6. Instead of buying expensive workbooks, create worksheets by hand or on your computer. Make words to read and words to complete by filling in the missing letter. You and your child will both be amazed at what will be learned in such a short time!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep using flash cards for extra practice.
• Work your way up to long vowel words, teaching the child that, when there are two vowels in a word, "the first one says its name andthe second one keeps silent."