Struggling to read can derail a child’s academic career and cause their self-esteem to plummet. Over the next several weeks, I will outline the necessary steps to improve reading, providing strategies for each component. The first step in learning to read is to become aware of the sounds of language, known as phonemic awareness. 

Rhymes and Alliteration

Initially, phonemic awareness comes through noticing how words rhyme (e.g., bat and cat) or can be used in alliteration (e.g., Sally sold seashells). Recognizing that words rhyme requires being able to focus on the ending of each, while identifying alliterations requires attending to the initial sounds. Working on these skills can be accomplished by reading books that feature heavy use of either (e.g., Dr. Seuss) and pointing out the rhymes and alliterations to your child. 

Taking Words Apart and Putting Them Back Together

Pulling words apart is known as segmenting, while putting them together is blending. These skills are critical for both spelling and reading respectively. To work on these skills, have your child clap out the syllables to words (e.g., Thurs … day) or combine syllables (e.g., what word does win … dow make?).

After your child is able to demonstrate this skill, move onto phonemes, the smallest units of sound. Begin by having your child identify the beginning and end sounds in words (e.g., the first sound in mop is mmmm). You can also lay out pictures of objects and ask your child to group them together by beginning sound or have them point to the picture that begins with a certain sound. Another activity is to have your child identify words that start with the same sound as a word you provide (e.g., what other words begin with the same sound as sssslide?). Make sure to emphasize the phoneme.

From here, have your child clap out the phonemes to words (e.g., mmmm…aah…n). You can also have them take away or add phonemes to words (e.g., what word do you get if you take away the ffff sound from fear?).

Developing these skills is critical to moving onto the next step, letters, and eventually the ultimate goal of successful reading.

Reference:

Shaywitz, S., & Shaywitz, J. (2020). Overcoming dyslexia (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Penguin Random House LLC.