Studies have proven that telling nursery rhymes is one of the best ways to develop language skills in children. Nursery rhymes are effective for developing an awareness of rhyme, sounds, …
Does the Order of the Alphabet Make it Harder to Learn to Read?
The surprising issue with the order of letters in the English alphabet and how you can easily overcome it as an educational parent When teaching your child the alphabet, starting …
What is “Phonics”, Anyway?
What makes phonics different from other ways of teaching reading, and why it is so effective I want to make it easier for busy parents to teach their kids to …
How and why you should always correct errors in your child’s reading
Certain kinds of errors indicate dangerously bad habits Some books and blogs about teaching your child to read recommend that you avoid correcting your child when they make reading mistakes …
What if Phonics Doesn’t Work for my Four-Year-old?
If your child is struggling, it could be an indication that you need to take a step back and focus on a more foundational skill So your child has just …
What is Prosodic Reading and is it Important to Teach to my Child?
Fluent readers read with prosody, but prosody is best used as a tool for assessment and not something that needs to be taught The concept of prosody, or prosodic reading, …
What Should I do Before Teaching my Child to Read?
Starting these simple techniques early is crucial to setting your child up for reading success As an educational parent, you know that teaching your child the skills they need to …
How Can I Help My Child Improve Their Phonemic Awareness?
Use word games and nursery rhymes to help your child build this valuable skill In my last post I explained what phonemic awareness is and why it is an essential …
What is Phonemic Awareness and Why is it Important?
Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the smallest units of language, and is a set of skills that help children learn to read faster and better In …
Should We Curtail the Teaching of Sight Words?
Teaching sight words encourages the bad habit of memorizing whole words. Virtually all educators now agree that the most effective way to teach reading is to teach children phonics. But …