Children learn to read at different speeds. Some will never be able to master it until they are already in third grade. The sooner the parents expose their kids to this skill, though, the faster they can assess if they have learning difficulties. Hence, many parents teach their children how to read even before they start going to school. It is said that our parents are our first teachers, and they should be since some children have difficulty learning how to read.
Reading in Singapore
In Singapore, the learning process can begin with phonics for preschool. It is for children four to six years old. Phonics is a method of teaching writing and reading. It helps build the connection between the child’s knowledge of the alphabet and the sounds these letters represent. For example, you pronounce the letter C as sea. When you sound it, though, especially with other letters, it is ka like in cart.
There are different ways to teach phonics. The teacher may break down the phonemes of a word. In other cases, they may use onsets (beginning of the word) and rimes (ending of the word). The primary objective is to assist the child in spotting patterns. When they learn to read bake, they are more likely to sound cake even if it is their first time to come across it. Also, when they learn to read light, they are more likely to read bright correctly. The two words have little difference in spelling, and there is a pattern that a child can follow. It is also possible for schools to combine different techniques or create their own.
The Benefits of Phonics
In reality, there is no exact formula on how to teach kids to read. Of the many strategies, though, phonics is one of the most effective. Teaching them how letters can represent different sounds is something even parents can do. Moreover, it depends on the ability of the child. Some children are meant to learn to read fast and become fast readers; others are meant to have difficulty learning how to read and become slow readers.
A 2017 study revealed that children who know phonics can read aloud and comprehend the material with higher accuracy. This is even after the participants were exposed to unfamiliar symbols and a new language. It may also improve the reading abilities of adults with dyslexia, according to a 2004 US research.
Reading is one of the essential skills children need to learn early. That is why there is a need for parents to teach their children the alphabet even before they start going to school. Also, doing this can let them know how fast or how slow their children are going to learn how to read.
Reading helps children develop their language and writing skills. They can communicate themselves clearly to their friends and family if they know how to read properly and fast. It can also boost their creativity and curiosity. While there are many ways to learn it, parents, teachers, and children may find greater success with phonics.
