Learning how to read for 1st graders


First Grade Reading Activities, Phonics Worksheets, Videos, Games, Listening

The 1st Grade Level 1 Reading Program features a review of all the short vowels, beginning and ending consonants. Your children will learn words with the S blends, consonant digraphs ch, sh, th, wh and ph.  They will also learn the soft C and G sounds.

Printables & Powerpoint

These high quality pdf worksheets are pages from our phonics activity book for preschool. Worksheets are arranged by course progression. Some of the skills the children will learn include:

Click here for more

Videos

You do not need to be a professional teacher to present the skills for this level. Our highly focused phonics video tutorials will easily do the job. Some of the videos include the following:

Click here for more

Games

Kiz Phonics offers a variety of reading games for all kinds of learners. These activities often combine audio, visual and clicking to learn. Each activity is short and focused.

Click here for more

Listening

The listening section of our first grade level 1 phonics program is in sync with the worksheets of this level. Print a worksheet you want to use and choose the audio from the playlist.

Click here for more

 

Featuring Worksheets for First Grade Level 1

st blend word building
Learning st blend by building words

Click here to print

sn blend word building
Learning sn blend by building words

Click here to print

str blend word building
Learning str blend by building words

Click here to print

s blends word search 
Learning st blend by doing this puzzle

Click here to print

 

Featuring 1st Grade Phonics Games

Digraph /sh/, Phonics game to practice the consonant digraph /sh/

When two letters come together to make one sound, it is called…

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ch_game_225x160.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-18 01:19:252020-05-18 11:50:21Digraph /sh/, Phonics game to practice the consonant digraph /sh/

Digraph ch, Phonics Flashcards

Practice the digraph 'ch' using these interactive phonics flipcards.…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ch_card_225x160.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-18 01:16:312020-03-30 19:12:24Digraph ch, Phonics Flashcards

Digraph /sh/, Phonics game to practice the consonant digraph /sh/

Digraphs are formed when two letters come together to make one…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sh-game_225x160. png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-18 01:11:332020-05-18 11:50:53Digraph /sh/, Phonics game to practice the consonant digraph /sh/

Digraph sh, Phonics flipcards

Practice the sound of the digraph sh as in ship. Click on a card…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sh-card_225x160.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-18 01:09:472020-03-30 19:14:49Digraph sh, Phonics flipcards

st beginning consonant S blend, phonics game

Learn and practice the st consonant blend. Listen, then drag…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/st_game_225x160.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics. com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-18 00:54:212020-04-02 14:24:11st beginning consonant S blend, phonics game

st beginning consonant S blend, phonics flashcards

Learn and practice the beginning st consonant blends using these…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/st-card_225x160.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-18 00:51:092020-03-30 19:15:40st beginning consonant S blend, phonics flashcards

Consonant Digraph ‘ph’ Phonics Activity

Learn and practice the consonant digraph ‘ph‘ using this…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ph2.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-17 06:10:582020-04-02 14:24:34Consonant Digraph ‘ph’ Phonics Activity

Consonant Digraph ‘ph’ Phonics Flashcard

Learn and practice the consonant digraph ‘ph‘ using this…

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ph_card_225x160.png 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2012-04-17 05:58:552020-03-30 19:13:32Consonant Digraph ‘ph’ Phonics Flashcard

PreviousNext

Featuring 1st Grade Phonics Videos

'wh' digraph Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'wh' digraph. Learn to sound out,…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/wh-digraph.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:412013-08-04 12:17:38'wh' digraph Phonics Video

'th' ending digraph Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'th' ending digraph. Learn to…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/th-ending-digraph.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:322013-08-04 12:16:50'th' ending digraph Phonics Video

'th' beginning digraph Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'th' beginning digraph. Learn…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/th-beginning-digraph.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:272013-08-04 12:15:55'th' beginning digraph Phonics Video

'sw' blends Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'sw' blends. Learn to sound out,…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sw-blends.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:212013-08-04 12:14:58'sw' blends Phonics Video

'str' blends Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'str' blends. Learn to sound out,…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/str-blends.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:172013-08-04 12:13:57'str' blends Phonics Video

'st' blends Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'st' blends. Learn to sound out,…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/st-blends.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:112013-08-04 12:12:56'st' blends Phonics Video

'sp' blends Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the 'sp' blends. Learn to sound out,…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/sp-blends.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:072013-08-04 12:12:06'sp' blends Phonics Video

Soft 'g' Phonics Video

This is a phonics video on the soft 'g'. Learn to sound out,…

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/soft-g.jpg 160 225 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2013-08-03 13:29:012013-08-04 12:10:59Soft 'g' Phonics Video

PreviousNext

Kiz Phonics iPad Apps

Preschool Phonics App (Phonics_Prek) Lite

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l1-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 09:12:292020-04-21 13:22:31Preschool Phonics App (Phonics_Prek) Lite

Preschool Phonics App (Phonics_Prek)

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/l1.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 07:50:302020-04-21 13:22:46Preschool Phonics App (Phonics_Prek)

Kindergarten Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 1) Lite

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l2-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 06:30:162020-04-21 13:23:04Kindergarten Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 1) Lite

Kindergarten Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 1)

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l2.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 06:20:112020-04-21 13:23:19Kindergarten Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 1)

Kindergarten Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 2) Lite

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l3-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 06:10:092020-04-21 13:23:34Kindergarten Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 2) Lite

Kindergarten Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 2)

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l3.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 06:02:022020-04-21 13:23:52Kindergarten Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics Kinder 2)

1st Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 1) Lite

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l4-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:50:152020-04-21 13:24:451st Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 1) Lite

1st Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 1)

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l4.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:45:042020-04-21 13:25:001st Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 1)

1st Grade Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 2) Lite

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l5-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:35:302020-04-21 13:25:141st Grade Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 2) Lite

1st Grade Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 2)

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l5.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:30:242020-04-21 13:25:341st Grade Level 2 Phonics App (Phonics 1st Grade 2)

2nd Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 2nd Grade 1) Lite

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l6-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:25:122020-04-21 13:25:492nd Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 2nd Grade 1) Lite

2nd Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 2nd Grade 1)

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/l6.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:20:062020-04-21 13:26:032nd Grade Level 1 Phonics App (Phonics 2nd Grade 1)

Phonics Sentence Monkey Game Lite

https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/sentence-lite.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:15:182020-04-21 13:26:22Phonics Sentence Monkey Game Lite

Phonics Sentence Monkey Game

https://www. kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/sentence.png 152 152 KizPhonics https://www.kizphonics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/kizphonics-logo.png KizPhonics2014-01-02 05:13:442020-04-21 13:26:33Phonics Sentence Monkey Game

PreviousNext

Preschool Reading - Ages 3-4

Learning to read starts here. From as low as 3 years, your child needs to build the following skills that will prepare him/her for reading. Print Awareness and Phonemic Awareness are the hallmarks of this level. We provide the following types of resources:

 Kindergarten Reading 1 - Ages 4-6

The Kindergarten Level 1 Reading Program,  is suitable for kids between the ages of 4 to 6. Children will learn short vowels a & e, beginning and ending consonant sounds. The will learn how to read words, sentences and 2 short stories.

Kindergarten Reading 2 - Ages 4-6

The Kindergarten Level 2 Reading Program,  is suitable for kids between the ages of 4 to 6. Children will learn short vowels i, o u, ending and beginning consonants & digraphs. The will learn how to read words, sentences and 2 short stories.

1st Grade Reading 1 - Ages 6-7

The 1st Grade Level 1 Reading Program features a review of all the short vowels, beginning and ending consonants. Your children will learn words with the S blends, consonant digraphs ch, sh, th, wh and ph.  They will also learn the soft C and G sounds.

1st Grade Reading 2 - Ages 6-7

The 1st Grade Level 2 Phonics Program features the long a & i with the silent e. Kids will learn how the silent e changes the sounds of words. This level also includes vowel digraphs ai ay, vowel digraphs ee & ea and final as long e.


2nd Grade Reading 1 - Ages 7-8

The 2nd Grade Level 1 Phonics Program features the long o & u with the silent e. This level also includes vowel digraphs like oa owui & ue and final as long i. Special vowels like aw & ew will be also be learned.

Sign Up

Comprehension: Activities for Your First Grader

Overview

First graders are quickly developing impressive skills as active readers! Here are some of the things your first grader can do:

  • Independently read and retell familiar stories.
  • Notice when a text doesn't make sense, and begins to use strategies such as rereading, predicting, and questioning to understand it.
  • Read and understand fiction and nonfiction and know the difference between made-up stories and facts.
  • Predict what will happen next in stories.
  • Think about and share prior knowledge before reading a nonfiction book.
  • Discusses how, why, and what-if questions in sharing nonfiction texts.
  • Answer simple written comprehension questions.

Here are some basic things you can do to boost your child's comprehension skills:

Try to read at home together every day

Just 15 minutes each day makes a big difference! Although your first grader may be reading independently, reading aloud allows you to introduce your child to more sophisticated vocabulary and stories, including chapter books.  It's also one of the best ways to help children learn about the world and make connections between their own lives and what's in the book — and that helps children see the world with empathy. And last but not least, it's a wonderful time to snuggle up with your child and share the experience of reading and discovery together.

Keep it fun 

Remember that reading together should spark curiosity, joy, and a desire to explore and learn. Conversations about books should be enjoyable, and not a set of quizzes and questions. As you try some of the activities listed below, remember to keep it light and lively for your child.

Storytelling and audiobooks count, too 

Sharing family stories out loud and listening to audiobooks are wonderful ways to expose your child to language, how stories are built, and knowledge about the world.

Bring in the nonfiction

There are so many great nonfiction and informational books for very young kids (such as the popular DK Eyewitness series and National Geographic series). Try to include some of these during your next trip to the public library. Children love learning about the real world and are proud to share what they know!

Explore your world together

Even a walk around the neighborhood or a trip to the grocery store can be a rich learning experience for young children. On a walk, your child may watch what's going on at a construction site, and then be able to connect it to stories about building and the big machines that make it happen — bulldozers, cranes, cement mixers, and more. These personal connections help children connect what they read with what they know — a powerful way to build comprehension skills!

Signs of good reading comprehension in first graders

Try these comprehension activities at home

"I predict ..."

When you sit down for a read aloud, look at the book's cover together. Ask, "What do you think this book might be about? Why? Can you make some predictions?" Guide your child through the pages, discuss the pictures, and brainstorm what might happen in the story. Talk about any personal experiences your child may have that relate to the story.

Five-finger retell

After reading a story together, have your child tell you five things about the story, using her fingers to talk about each one:

  1. Characters: who was in the story?
  2. Setting: where did the story take place?
  3. Events: what happened in the story?
  4. End: how did the story end?
  5. Favorite character or part of the story

Active reading

Model active reading when you read with your child. Talk about what's happening as you're reading. Stop and discuss any interesting or tricky vocabulary words. Help your child make pictures of the story in his mind. Ask your child, "What just happened here? How do you think that character feels? Have you ever felt like that? What do you think will happen next?" Not only will this develop your child’s comprehension, but critical thinking skills as well.

Mind movies

When you come to a descriptive passage in a book, have your child close her eyes and create a mental movie of the scene. Encourage her to use all five senses. Read the passage over together, looking for details that bring the scene to life. Ask questions like, “How do you know it was a hot day? Which words help you understand that the child was lonely?”

Tell me about it

After a read aloud, one of the best and easiest ways to check for understanding is to ask your child to summarize what the book was about in their own words. You can ask a question or two to help your child clarify her thinking or to add more detail.

Can your child tell you what happened in the story?

This video is from Home Reading Helper, a resource for parents to elevate children’s reading at home provided by Read Charlotte. Find more video, parent activities, printables, and other resources at Home Reading Helper.

Think alouds

Connect the book to your child's own life experience. For example, A River Dream: "This book reminds me of the time my father took me fishing. Do you remember the time we went fishing?"

Connect the book to other books they have read. For example, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: "This story reminds me of Cinderella. Both stories are about sisters. Do you know any other stories about nice and mean sisters? Let's keep reading to find out other ways the stories are similar."

Connect the book to big ideas/lessons. For example, Stellaluna: "This story helps me understand that we are all the same in many ways, but it's our differences that make us special."

Wordless

Wordless picture books provide your child with practice using clues to create meaning. There are no wrong stories with wordless picture books, only variations based on what the "reader" sees and puts together. Rosie's Walk, Good Dog, Carl, and Beaver Is Lost are all interesting and fun wordless picture books to explore. Find more wordless books on BookFinder.

Map this book!

Draw a map of the book's setting, and be sure to include the places where the main action happens!

Beginning-middle-end

This is a great way to see if your child understands the main parts of a story. After reading a book together, give your child three sheets of paper, with "beginning" on one sheet, "middle" on the second sheet, and "end" on the third sheet. Ask your child to think about the three parts of the story, and then draw what happened on each on the sheets. Arrange the sheets in order, left to right. What happens if you re-arrange the sheets? Does the story still make sense?

Words, words, words

Be sure to include books with rich vocabulary in your read alouds and call attention to interesting words and phrases from the story. This may include repeated phrases or idioms (such as "get cold feet" or "I'm all ears"). Offer a kid-friendly definition and connect the new word or phrase to something your child already knows. Talk about how the author used language or words to make the text interesting, informative, funny, or sad.

Illustrated timelines

After reading a story, have your child create an illustrated timeline of events from the story. Tape together five sheets of paper along the 8-1/2-inch side to create one very wide sheet that is 55 inches X 8-1/2 inches. To help plan the timeline, your child can add numbers that mark important points of the story. Then it's time to fill in the sequence of events with words and pictures. Once the timeline is complete, ask your child to re-tell the story — acting it out is okay, too! Variation: Create the timeline using Post-Its on a wall or outside using sidewalk chalk.

Talk show

Set up a talk show set with two chairs facing each other. If you like, make two microphones out of paper tubes or other craft supplies. You are the host and your child is a character from the book. Ask questions about the character, such as who you are, why you are important to the story, what happened to you in the story, what is the craziest interaction you had with another character, etc. Then switch roles!

Book trailer

Using a cell phone camera or other recording device, make a short video of your child talking about about why he recommends this book. Encourage your child to show the book cover and some of the inside pages when talking about a certain character or action sequence. Share the book trailer with family and friends!

Picture the character (Part 1)

Try this activity from the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR). The FCRR "At Home" series was developed especially for families! Watch the video and then download the activity: Picture the Character. See all FCRR comprehension activities here.

Picture the character (Part 2)

Try this activity from the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR). The FCRR "At Home" series was developed especially for families! Watch the video and then download the activity: Picture the Character. See all FCRR comprehension activities here.

Does your first grader read to learn about things?

More comprehension resources

How to teach a child to read: important rules and effective techniques

October 26, 2022 Likbez Education

Teaching a preschooler to read without losing interest in books is real. Lifehacker has selected the best ways for responsible parents.

How to understand that it is time to teach a child to read

There are several signs of psychological readiness.

  1. The child speaks fluently in sentences and understands the meaning of what is said. nine0012
  2. The child understands directions: left-right, up-down. For learning to read, it is important that the baby can follow the text from left to right and from top to bottom.
  3. The child distinguishes sounds (what speech therapists call developed phonemic hearing). Simply put, the baby will easily understand by ear where the house and the bow are, and where the tom and the hatch are.
  4. Your child pronounces all the sounds and has no speech problems.

Natalia Zharikova

Speech therapist with 33 years of experience

A child with speech therapy problems does not hear and does not distinguish similar sounds. From here come errors with speech, and subsequently with reading, and even more often with writing. It is very difficult for a parent to identify violations on their own, so usually a teacher or a speech therapist can point this out to them.

How to teach your child to read

Be patient and follow these simple guidelines.

Set an example

In a family where there is a culture and tradition of reading, children themselves will reach for books. Read not because it is necessary and useful, but because it is a pleasure for you. nine0003

Read together and discuss

Read aloud to the child and then look at the pictures together, encouraging them to interact with the book: “Who is this picture? Can you show me the cat's ears? And who is that standing next to her?” Older children can be asked more difficult questions: “Why did he do this? What do you think will happen next?"

Don't learn the letters as they are called in the alphabet

Instead, help your child remember the sound the letter makes. For example, you show the letter "m" and say: "This is the letter m (not em )". If a child remembers the alphabetic names of letters ( em , es, ef and so on), it will be quite difficult for him to learn to read. Then, when he sees the word ra-ma in the book, he will try to pronounce er-a-um-a .

Go from simple to complex

Once the child has memorized a few letters (from 2 to 5) and the sounds they represent, move on to syllables. Let the words consisting of repeated syllables be the first: mum, dad, uncle, nanny . In this case, it is not necessary to break the syllable into separate sounds. Do not say: "These are the letters m and a , and together they read ma ". Immediately learn that the syllable is pronounced like ma , otherwise the baby may start to read letter by letter. After mastering simple combinations, move on to more complex ones: cat, zhu-k, house .

Help to understand the meaning of what they read

Do this when the child begins to slowly but surely reproduce words and whole sentences in syllables. For example, the kid read: "Mom washed the frame." Stop and ask: “What did you just read about?”. If he finds it difficult to answer, let him read the sentence again. And you ask more specific questions: “Who washed the frame? What did mom wash? nine0003

Show that letters are everywhere

Play a game. Let the child find the letters that surround him on the street and at home. These are the names of stores, and memos on information stands, and advertising on billboards, and even traffic light messages: it happens that the inscription “Go” lights up on green, and “Wait so many seconds” on red.

Play

And play again. Stack blocks with letters and syllables, make up words, ask your child to read you some kind of sign or inscription on the packaging in the store. nine0003

Natalia Zharikova

There are many exercises for memorizing letters. For example, circle the desired letter among a number of others, circle the correctly written among the incorrect ones, color or shade. You can also ask the child to tell what the letter looks like.

Use every opportunity to practice

Whether you are waiting in line at the clinic or driving somewhere, take out a book with pictures and short stories to accompany them and invite your child to read together. nine0003

Build on your success

Repeat familiar texts, look for familiar characters in new stories. Runaway Bunny is found both in "Teremka" and "Kolobok".

Do not force

This is perhaps the most important thing. Don't take away a child's childhood. Learning should not go through violence and tears.

What techniques to use to teach your child to read

Here are six popular, affordable and effective techniques. Choose one or try several and choose the one that interests your child the most. nine0003

1. ABCs and primers

Frame: This is all mine / YouTube

Traditional, but the longest way. The difference between these books is that the alphabet fixes each letter with a mnemonic picture: a drum will be drawn on the page with B , and a spinning top next to Yu . The alphabet helps to remember letters and often interesting rhymes, but will not teach you how to read.

The primer consistently teaches the child to combine sounds into syllables, and syllables into words. This process is not easy and requires perseverance. nine0003

There are quite a lot of author's primers now. According to the books of Nadezhda Betenkova, Vseslav Goretsky, Dmitry Fonin, Natalya Pavlova, children can study both with their parents before school and in the first grade.

Parents agree that one of the most understandable methods for teaching preschoolers is Nadezhda Zhukova's primer. The author simply explains the most difficult thing for a child: how to turn letters into syllables, how to read ma-ma , and not start naming individual letters me-a-me-a .

2. Zaitsev's Cubes

Shot: Little Socrates / YouTube

If a child consistently masters letters and syllables while learning from an ABC book, then in 52 Zaitsev's Cubes he is given access to everything at once: a single letter or combinations of consonant and vowel, consonant and hard or soft sign.

The child effortlessly learns the differences between voiceless and voiced sounds, because the cubes with voiceless consonants are filled with wood, and the cubes with voiced consonants are filled with metal. nine0003

The cubes also differ in size. The large ones depict hard warehouses, the small ones - soft ones. The author of the technique explains this by the fact that when we pronounce to (hard warehouse), the mouth opens wide, nor (soft warehouse) - lips in a half smile.

The set includes tables with warehouses that the parent sings (yes, he doesn’t speak, but sings).

The child quickly masters warehouse reading with the help of cubes. But there are also disadvantages: he may begin to swallow endings and face difficulties already at school when parsing a word by composition. nine0003

3.

"Skladushki" and "Teremki" by Vyacheslav Voskobovich Frame: Play and Toy Club / YouTube

In "Skladushki" Vyacheslav Voskobovich reworked Zaitsev's idea: 21 cards show all the warehouses of the Russian language with nice thematic pictures. Included is a CD with songs, the texts of which go under each picture.

Folders are great for kids who like looking at pictures. Each of them is an occasion to discuss with the child where the kitten is, what the puppy is doing, where the beetle flew. nine0003

It is possible to teach a child with these cards from the age of three. At the same time, it should be noted that the author of the methodology himself does not consider it necessary to force early development.

"Teremki" by Voskobovich consist of 12 wooden cubes with consonants and 12 cardboard cubes with vowels. First, the child gets acquainted with the alphabet and tries with the help of parents to come up with words that begin with each of the letters.

Then it's time to study the syllables. In the tower with the letter M is embedded A - and the first syllable is ma . From several towers you can lay out words. Learning is based on play. So, when replacing the vowel , house will turn into smoke .

You can start playing tower blocks from the age of two. At the same time, parents will not be left alone with the cubes: the kit includes a manual with a detailed description of the methodology and game options.

4. Chaplygin's dynamic cubes

Shot: Both a boy and a girl! Children's channel - We are twins / YouTube

Evgeny Chaplygin's manual includes 10 cubes and 10 movable blocks. Each dynamic block consists of a pair - a consonant and a vowel. The task of the child is to twist the cubes and find a pair.

At the initial stage, as with any other method of learning to read in warehouses, the child makes the simplest words from repeating syllables: ma-ma, pa-pa, ba-ba . The involved motor skills help to quickly remember the shape of the letters, and the search for already familiar syllables turns into an exciting game. The cubes are accompanied by a manual describing the methodology and words that can be composed. nine0003

The optimal age for classes is 4-5 years. You can start earlier, but only in the game format.

5. Doman's cards

Frame: My little star / YouTube

American doctor Glenn Doman suggests teaching children not individual letters or even syllables, but whole words. Parents name and show the child the words on the cards for 1-2 seconds. In this case, the baby is not required to repeat what he heard.

Classes start with 15 cards with the simplest concepts like females and males . Gradually, the number of words increases, those already learned leave the set, and the child begins to study phrases: for example, color + object, size + object.

How can one understand that a child has understood and memorized the visual image of a word, if the author of the methodology recommends starting classes from birth? Glenn Doman in "The Harmonious Development of the Child" strongly emphasizes that it is not necessary to arrange tests and checks for the child: kids do not like this and lose interest in classes. nine0003

It's better to remember 50 cards out of 100 than 10 out of 10.

Glenn Doman

But given that parents can't help but check, he advises the child to play the game if they want and are ready. For example, you can put a few cards and ask to bring one or point to it.

Today, psychologists, neurophysiologists and pediatricians agree that the Doman method is aimed not at teaching reading, but at mechanical memorization of visual images of words. The child turns out to be an object of learning and is almost deprived of the opportunity to learn something on his own. nine0003

It is also worth adding: in order to proceed to the stage of reading according to Doman, parents need to prepare cards with all (!) Words that are found in a particular book.

6. Montessori method

Photo: Kolpakova Daria / Shutterstock

Montessori reading comes from the opposite: first we write and only then we read. Letters are the same pictures, so you first need to learn how to draw them and only then engage in pronunciation and reading. Children begin by tracing and shading the letters, and through this, they memorize their outline. When several vowels and consonants have been studied, they move on to the first simple words. nine0003

Much attention is paid to the tactile component, so children can literally touch the alphabet cut out of rough or velvety paper.

The value of the method lies in learning through play. So, you can put a rough letter and a plate of semolina in front of the child and offer to first circle the sign with your finger, and then repeat this on the semolina.

The difficulty for parents is to purchase or prepare a significant amount of handouts. But you can try to make cards with your own hands from cardboard and sandpaper. nine0003

What's the result

On the Internet and on posters advertising "educators", you will be offered ultra-modern methods of teaching your child to read at three, two years old or even from birth. But let's be realistic: a happy mother is needed a year, not developmental classes.

The authors of the methods as one insist that the most natural learning process for a child is through play, and not through classes in which the parent plays the role of a strict controller. Your main assistant in learning is the curiosity of the child himself. nine0003

Some children will study for six months and start reading at three, others have to wait a couple of years to learn in just a month. Focus on the interests of the child. If he likes books and pictures, then primers and Folders will come to the rescue. If he is a fidget, then cubes and the Montessori system are better suited.

In learning to read, everything is simple and complex at the same time. If your child often sees you with a book, you have a tradition of reading before bed, your chances of getting your baby interested in reading will increase significantly. nine0003

See also 🧐

  • How to teach a child to keep promises
  • How to teach a child to say the letter "r"
  • How to teach a child to ride a bicycle
  • How to teach a child to swim
  • How to teach a child to write

We teach a child to read in syllables easily. 5 fun games

Teach your child to read by syllables, but nothing works? Do you repeat 10 times, but after a couple of seconds he forgets everything, and all your attempts end in screams and tears? Of course, school is coming soon and a slight panic seizes you, but relax and don't worry. Maybe your child is just not ready yet, or maybe you started wrong. Stay with us and find out everything.

How to teach a child to read in syllables so that he likes it?

If your child already knows the letters, but does not want to learn to read by syllables, most likely you simply did not explain why he needs it. Arguments like “to learn to read”, “to do well in school and be no worse than others” do not work. The child needs to understand why he is doing this at the moment? That is, you must “sell” him the idea of ​​learning to read in syllables so that he wants it himself and is still satisfied. nine0003

How to do it?

Start with what your child is interested in. For example, while walking around the city, draw his attention to the poster of a cinema or circus and ask: “Are you interested in knowing which cartoon will be shown in the cinema? Let's honor." Or here is another good example: “Ice cream, what flavor would you like? Let's read what they offer here? Of course, the child will say that he cannot read and ask you to help him. Then you explain to him why you need to be able to read and what is the use of this. nine0003

The idea is "sold" - you can start learning!

If your child does not yet know the whole alphabet, then at the same time as learning the letters, you can begin to make small words out of them. Did the child learn two or three letters? For example "M", "U", "I". Excellent! Fold them immediately into the word "MEW" and ask the child who does this. Then ask him to repeat after you syllable by syllable: “meow”, pausing after the first syllable.

Thanks to this approach, it will be easier for the child to read longer words in syllables in the future. nine0003

5 fun exercises for teaching children to read by syllables

The first rule that all parents should remember before starting anything to teach their child up to 7 years old is no coercion, always translate everything into a game. Then your child will be happy to participate in the process, and you will see the result faster.

Therefore, all the exercises that we have selected for you are in the form of a game.

Surprise eggs

Take some plastic Kinder Surprise eggs and small cardboard cards with letters. Think of a game scenario. For example, put the letters in the eggs that make up the name of the child's favorite cartoon character according to the principle - one egg - one letter. Then call the child and say that you need to find the name of the hero, otherwise he is lost and cannot find his way home. Then begin to open the eggs together and fold the name in such a way that there is a small distance between the syllables, for example "BIN-GO". As soon as you add up the name, ask the child to read it in syllables and call the hero so that he can find his way home. nine0003

When the child manages to name all the characters, you can give him the toy characters he called (if there are such toys at home) or turn on your favorite cartoon.

Find a double

Take blocks with letters and together with your child make a syllable out of two letters. For example, let there be a syllable "BA". Say the syllable several times so that the child remembers it. Then ask him to find the familiar syllable "BA" on the pages of any book.

Of course, it may not work the first time. But nothing, praise the child for every syllable found and say that this is just a game and in case of failure you should not be upset.

This exercise develops visual memory well and helps the child get used to syllables.

Let's be friends

What could be more boring than just combining vowels and consonants into syllables? Another thing is to teach letters to be friends so that they make up words. You will need a metal board and letters on magnets. Arrange the letters on the right and left in this order:

Then tell the child that the letters have quarreled and they need to be connected and made friends. Move together the letter "A" to "U" and read what happened - "AU". So the child will understand that connecting letters into syllables is fun and will begin to connect syllables into words with pleasure.

Also learn to read by syllables with our free games.

Pick me up

In this exercise you will have to get a little creative. Take an A4 sheet and draw a dog on it. Sign the word “SO-BA-KA” under the drawing by syllables. Then take scissors and cut vertically so that you get three equal parts with pattern elements and syllables. Ask the child to read each syllable separately, and then ask the dog to collect and read the word syllable by syllable. nine0003

If you have no time to draw yourself, look for similar puzzles in the store.

This fun activity will quickly help your child learn to spell long words.

Transformer Word

Blocks or cards with letters are suitable for this exercise. For example, put together the already familiar word “SO-BA-KA” with your child. Read it syllable by syllable and disassemble it into individual letters. Say: “And now you will see how much our “DOG” can give us new words! Let's watch?". nine0003

Then, from individual letters, make up new words: “SOK”, “TANK”, “BOK”, “KO-SA”. Make up words in turn, ask the child to read each syllable by syllable and explain the meaning of what they read.

This exercise allows you to learn to read several words from already familiar syllables in one session.

Practice with your child every day for 10-15 minutes and in a couple of weeks you will see the first results. Your child will learn to combine letters into syllables and will already be able to read small words in syllables. And most importantly, he will do it with great enthusiasm and pleasure, because the whole learning process is an exciting game.


Learn more