Top 12 ideas for learning to read
1. Little walker
Before reading a story to a youngster, use makeup pencils to decorate the tip of your index finger. You can, for example, draw a smiley face, a ladybug, a spider, etc. With this finger, follow the text, sliding it from left to right on each page. The funny little character will catch the child's eyes at the end of your finger. This will help him understand that we must read the words on the page from left to right… a first step towards reading. Depending on the child's age, you can then draw the same character on their index finger and read the same story again, but this time helping them move their finger under the words as you read.
2. Cut words
In the educatall Club, you will find sets of word tags for a variety of topics. Choose words that relate to your current theme and print the word flashcards. Glue each word tag onto a piece of construction paper in a different color. Laminate them and then cut each label in half. Have fun cutting word flashcards in different ways (zigzagging, straight cut, wavy cut, rounded cut, etc.). Children will have fun putting the two pieces together and "reading" the words while looking at the pictures. The color of the cards will help children associate each word with the correct picture.
3. Saved images
Gather a few picture books where the names of the different illustrated items are written at the bottom of the pictures. Using a tape recorder, record yourself reading each word. Read the words on the left and then the ones on the right. Before turning the page, ring a small bell to signal that the children should turn the page too. .
4. Word sticks
Have fun writing one, two, or more words that come up often in the story you plan to read to a child on colored wooden sticks (Popsicle style). You can choose very simple words (le, la, ma, etc.) or if the child is older, a name of an animal or an accessory. Before you start reading the story, show the sticks to the child and read the words together. Invite the child to hold the sticks in their hands and encourage them to identify the words in the text.
5. Words to trace
Print word flashcards related to your current theme. Laminate them and cut them out. Pour Jell-O powder in the color of your choice into the bottom of a small baking sheet. Take turns encouraging the children to use a small wooden stick to trace the letters of a word appearing on one of the labels in the colored powder. Read the word together. Tracing the letters will help children recognize the words little by little.
6. Felt letters
Use stencils to cut out the letters of the alphabet from colored felt. Make sure you have multiple copies of each letter. Have fun positioning the letters on your felt board with the children to write different simple words. Children will love to read and write the words on word flashcards, the words that produce up the titles of their preferred books, or the words that appear on the various posters installed on your walls.
7. Magnetic letters, sound letters
Fill a tray with magnetic letters. Explain to the kids that each letter has a sound associated with it. Attach a paper clip to the end of a string attached to a stick. Let the children fish one letter at a time. Make the corresponding sound as soon as they have a letter on the end of their fishing rod. Encourage the children in your group to practice this sound with you. At first, use only a few letters. Once the children know the sound associated with these letters, add additional letters.
8. Sentences to guess
Play rebus with the children. Just do a little research on the Internet to find simple rebuses for toddlers. Print pictures corresponding to the syllables of the different words (e.g., a picture of a monkey and rice for the word monkey) and glue them in the correct order on cardboard. Under each picture, write the corresponding word (e.g., monkey and rice).
9. Spell with blocks
We have all these wooden blocks with the letters of the alphabet. Show the children how they can use them to spell simple words. You can give them the blocks needed to write different words related to a specific topic. Each time you complete a word, "read it" with the children, pronouncing the sound of each letter well.
10. The vowel dice, the consonant dice
Wrap a small cardboard box with colorless paper. On each face of the resulting die, write a vowel (a, e, I, o, u, y). Wrap a second cardboard box with white paper. Write one of the following consonants on each face of this second die: l, m, b, s, t, and r. Show the children the sound of each vowel and consonant. To start, play with a single dice. For example, let the children take turns throwing the vowel dice. Altogether, make the sound corresponding to the vowel obtained on the dice. Then do the same exercise with the consonant dice. Finally, if you think the children have mastered the sounds for both dice, have them roll them simultaneously. Position the resulting consonant in front of the vowel and show the children how to put the two sounds together (ex.
11. Let's rehearse together
Older children are often very anxious to learn to read. Take the time to choose small, simple books and read the text following the words one at a time with your finger, one line at a time. Let the children repeat the text, always following the words with your finger and helping them as needed. Repeat the exercise a few times with the same book. After a few practices, some children will be able to "read" small books independently.
12. Alphabet of sounds
Sing the alphabet with the children, but rather than naming the letters one by one, pronounce the sound each letter makes. This is quite a challenge for the children! This exercise will be useful for children. If they master the sound of each letter, they can put them together to read simple words later.
