The word “phonics” has recently begun to find its origins in our educational system, which wasn’t as common a decade ago. Many interpret it as a separate subject, but that’s not the case. Phonics is just one of the important steps in helping your child acquire the linguistic ability to understand what constitutes a language, and how to learn it well. If you are wondering how to teach your child phonics like most parents, here are a few tips for teaching phonics to kids.
What is Phonics?
Because phonics has recently found its footing in our educational systems, it is necessary to understand what it is all about in reality. As the name suggests, phonics is related to sounds. There are a variety of sounds that can be created with our mouths and many of them have played a significant role in developing the languages we speak today. Most of these sounds are expressed by letters, and what phonics seeks to explore is this relation between them both. To children, learning this dimension as soon as possible will help them comprehend the very essence of language development and encourage them to pick up other languages quickly as well.
Importance Of Teaching Phonics To Kids
As easy as speaking a language might seem to us right now, learning it and gathering the nuances in it is as challenging as a child. In modern times, with a great deal of emphasis on studying more than one language, the distinctions and roots of both languages need to be clearly defined in one’s mind. Once your kid is speaking and writing, he will know how the word is shaped and spoken and what it means, and all this needs to be done quickly in the brain, so that he can compose and talk at a normal pace, like everyone else. Through understanding phonics, all of these skills related to knowing the language, communicating it, and picking up newer ones can get a boost.
Tips For Teaching Phonics to Kids
As parents, we may not be aware of the particular ways in which phonics is taught at school, or even be totally unaware of the activities that can help teach phonics. Nonetheless, certain techniques can be used to offer the same benefit as a phonics session.
1. Using Word Games
When it comes to teaching your child about phonics, language-based games are your friend. Playing letter connections where each one says a word that starts with the previous one’s last letter helps communicate with letter usage appropriately. Let your child speak out loud about what he is doing right now as well as describe things around him.
2. Words Creation
The most essential part of phonics is to break down existing words into the sounds that make up them. In this activity, you can join your kid and help him get the best out of that. The word “car” for example consists of three sounds, namely the “ca” at the beginning, the “aa” at the middle, and the “ar” at the end. When you understand these sounds, putting them together is what makes the word “car.”
3. Make it a Daily Habit
Gradually, teach your child to learn beyond the realm of textbooks and the normal set-aside period for homework and school activities. Start by making it a habit to read newspaper headlines each morning. Or when you come back at night, let your kid pick a magazine and you can both read it out together.
4. Speak as You Write
While most of the activities focus on reading, while your child is learning to write, phonics can also be used. When he starts to get the hang of words to ask him to write a single word. While doing so, let him yell out clearly the sounds of the letters used in it. It feeds the knowledge he holds back and makes it stronger.
5. Point and Read
Kids can’t read as fast as we can in the early stages nor can they do their best if they tend to read it without speaking out loud. Teach your child to use his finger and put it under each word as he tries to read it loudly. It lets him bring the sounds of the letters together and try to read a word that he doesn’t even know. Such a practice is what makes use of the phonics power and turns the children into their own teachers.
6. Focus on Comprehension
If you don’t know the activities to concentrate on sounds and their relation to letters, it’s okay, but every parent should help their child understand what they’re reading and share their own thoughts. Engage your child in stories and articles, and discuss it with him. Tell him to explain in his own words what just happened and what he thinks could happen next. The way he can learn better is by using the right words to express his thoughts.
If you’re wondering how to teach phonics to kindergarten kids, you’re looking far ahead. Teachers have their own ways and strategies which are individually based on each skill. You can use games and fun activities at an early stage to provide encouragement for that learning, as well as create a wonderful connection with your child.
Also Read: How To Identify Learning Styles Of Kid
