OT - Learning to Read

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

When DD7 was learning to read, she enjoyed the Bob books. They come in a set (actually there are several sets), and each teaches a different sound. She liked reading those by herself. She learned to read at 3 and is one of those kids who was reading chapter books in kindergarten. DD4 is just starting to take an interest in reading - she likes the Dora phonics books, although I am not crazy about them. I think for both girls, they learned (are learning) to read from the repetition of favorite stories - they knew what words were coming and could look to see what they looked like.

As far as the age kids learn to read, it seems to be earlier than it used to be, but it still varies a lot. When DD7 was in kindergarten, she was the only one reading chapter books, but several other kids could read beginning reader books. It really surprised DMIL, who used to teach kindergarten and never had a child come into her class knowing how to read.

Here is a link to the Bob books in case you are interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Bob-Books-Set..._bbs_sr_1/102-4850532-3028920?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

[tmarquez]

Thank you everyone! Wow there are a ton of choices out there.

One thing I have noticed is that we must need new books because she has memorized the one that are her favories and that makes it impossible for her to "read" them since she doesn't even look at the words. So...we're going shopping tomorrow for some new books. Maybe that will help her.

I'll also look for some flash cards, she loves those and that's pretty much how she learned her letters.

Also thanks for the starfall.com site...she has already spent time there and enjoys it.

 

[Annaliese]

I don't HS ... well, not yet ...
I have a 4yrold adhd daughter & a almost 3yr old daughter ... both were slow to speak & say their aphlabet & numbers ...
We got a Hooked on Phonics Kindergarten Deluxe and the Ms. Phipps & Snoothy dvds (there's 3, I think. we're still on #1) and the big scholastic phonic readers' set (it's still in the box, it's a bit "older" for us rightnow) ... along with all sorts of other electronic games & books & story books & tons of flash cards & etc,etc ... and we're cruising along now ... we might actually be caught up for kindergarden ...

 

[dis-happy]

I'm a homeschooler and there's a nice book out there called that many homeschoolers recommend: "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons." You can order it for only $15.75 from Rainbow Resource.

Even though your dd has taught herself to read, it's important to give her a foundation in phonics as well----it will help her to learn spelling later on.

Good luck! You're off to a great start. BTW, I had one who taught herself to read early on as well. Checking out story books with tapes from the library kept her occupied and also helped her skills to grow.

 

[lovehoney]

One other website to look at is: http://www.starfall.com/. The site is free and was designed by a friend of ours. The preschool DS attends uses it as do some of the local K classes.

My DS6 loves this site! I think I heard about it here on the DIS last year. I don't homeschool but the site really helped DS improve his reading skills.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Kids learn at all different ages and some learn much easier than others. DS was reading before kindergarten. I teach at a preschool and many of my children are starting to read by kindergarten. here is what worked and still works for me. KEEP IT FUN. I am very much a beliver in phonics but I also know that children learn in differnt ways. Sight word cards can be helpful as well as using context clues in a story. Reading to your child is the best first step in teaching them to read. Point out the words sometimes, if you are reading about a dog, point to the word in the text and mention that this words says dog. Sometimes when reading, point to the words as you say them. Ask a lot of questions as you read and encourage your child to predict what will happen in the story. Using a combination of the phonics, context clues, predecting and sight words will give a child a great advantage and a larger pool in which to draw from as tools to help them read. You can get some really good first starter level books at any wal-mart or target and be sure to use your local library. There is also a web site www.enchantedlearning.com that has printable first readers that are good. There is a membership fee of around 20.00. They have a lot of the repeating books "I see a..." that are great first start book.

As long as you keep it fun and low key you can not go wrong. The fact is that no matter how early or late your child learns to read, all kids tend to level out toward late elementry and true IQ levels rather than how early a child learns read seems to dictate sucess after than.

MsSandra

 

[susykt4]

Another vote for the Bob books. I bought mine at Barnes and Noble. DD taught herself to read at 4 with these. A friend's two kids also learned to read at 4 with the Bob books (how I heard about them.) I'm thinking about getting them for DS currently 4 but DD was so bored in kindergarten I'm definitely not going to push him to read.

 

[Kim in TN]

Sounds like you have gotten lots of great ideas. DS taught himself the sounds of letters and to sound out/recognize words with his Leapster, it was
fun for him we bought it for him to use in the car and at Dr appointments. It was probably the best money we had spent for him, he actually wore it out.