All About Teaching and Learning Phonics

[tamarind]

buds:

Tam!! I so adoooore that washing machine pop up book

you got there! Oooh i do love pop-ups! Oh ya, i managed
to get the Wizard of Oz pop-up book at like a fraction of the
cost for a new one at a mall's atrium used books' sale. It was
such a steal. My girls wow-ed through every page of the book!

Wow you are so lucky !

[tamarind]

i3mum:

Tamarind,


I need to ask you:

If a child can read independently, do you encourage a 4+ close to 5 year old to use dictionary on her own for words she doesnt know the meaning? If yes, which dictionaries do you recommend?

Yes I think you should show her how to use the dictionary. But don't stress her if she does not like to do so.

For my kids, I usually explain the words to them by acting it out. I am still looking for good English dictionaries for kids, the ones that I have are not extensive enough.

You should look for those with as many pictures so kids can understand better.

You can try online dictionaries first :
http://familyinternet.about.com/od/websites/tp/kidsdictionaries.htm

[i3mum]

Thanks Tamarind! Yup I won't stress her if she is not keen. Do keep me updated if you managed to find one suitable dictionaries!

tamarind:

Yes I think you should show her how to use the dictionary. But don't stress her if she does not like to do so.

For my kids, I usually explain the words to them by acting it out. I am still looking for good English dictionaries for kids, the ones that I have are not extensive enough.

You should look for those with as many pictures so kids can understand better.

You can try online dictionaries first :
http://familyinternet.about.com/od/websites/tp/kidsdictionaries.htm

[sunset_dae]

Hi Tamarind


Thanks for recommending the leap frog letter factory.
Within a wk, my child could read out the sound of A-Z! I was like WOW! :!: This dvd is so amazing! Now im starting on Peter and Jane 1A-2C, each word that he see in the book, he could tell me :\"P says \"Per\", \"J says Jer\"... :lol: :lol:
Now I'm into step 2 of teaching him phonics: talking words factory dvds.
I just found the link from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Leapfrog-Leapster%C2%AE-Talking-Words-Factory/dp/B001SACW9I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1259560153&sr=1-2-fkmr0

But not sure if this is the correct pdt which u recommended?

tamarind:

Most experts will tell you that you should read regularly to your child from birth. However, reading to your child is not the most effective method of teaching your child to read. You may find yourself reading until your child is 6 years old, and he/she is only able to read simple books.

I have found the most effective way is to teach the following at the same time :
1. Phonics
Start with the Leapfrog Letter Factory and Talking Words Factory DVDs. Checkout my blog about how to practice phonics at home :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-to-teach-phonics.html

2. Reading out loud using the Ladybird key word series (Peter and Jane series)
According to Ladybird :
12 key words make up one quarter of those we read and write
100 key words make up half of those we read and write
About 300 key words account for three quarters of those we read and write

The Peter and Jane series let kids learn the 300 key words very quickly. Thanks to this series, both my kids (5 and 6 years old) are able to read normal-sized prints, with few pictures in between the pages, which according to the article above, is meant for 12 - 17 years old.

Parents may think that this series is old fashioned and boring. But the fact is that it is the best series for kids to learn to read, and it is especially good for kids of average abilities who need many repetitions in order to learn. Parents who have kids with very high learning ability may not need to use this series, if the parents have been reading regularly to the kids.

Read my blog for more explanations about how to use the Peter and Jane series :
http://tamarindphonics.blogspot.com/2008/12/key-words-with-ladybird.html


The fact is that any mommy can teach your child to read at home, if you use good resources. It may seem that I have spent many hours a day teaching my kids to read, but the fact is that I am a full time working mommy, and I can only afford to spend 15 minutes a day to teach each of my kids to read. I started when my boy was 3 years 3 months old, at that age he could not read a single word. By teaching him consistently everyday, using a combination of phonics and the Peter and Jane series, he is able to read Roald Dahl books before the age of 5.

I have heard comments that kids below the age of 6 should not be made to read books with a few hundred words a page, because this may cause the kids to dislike reading. This is not true. A child who reads very easily, will love to read. My 6 year old girl has been reading books of a few hundred pages since she was 5 years old. She often giggles and laughs when she reads, she is transported to a whole new world of fun.

Most people think that reading is a chore or a difficult thing to do for kids, and that by making a child read everyday, he is not enjoying his childhood. This is a misconception.

The truth is that reading wonderful books can be great fun for kids

[tamarind]

sunset_dae,

Your child is doing very well !

The DVD should be this one :
Talking Words Factory DVD
http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Talking-Roy-Allen-Smith/dp/B001U7NW20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1259560929&sr=8-1

[autumnbronze]

Hi Tamarind,


I LOVE the Machines as well as the Washing Machine pop up book. My son has a similar book for the latter by Ladybird series but yours is much nicer with the pop up washing machine. Can you pls tell me where did you purchase these 2 books??

TIA

[tamarind]

autumnbronze:

Hi Tamarind,


I LOVE the Machines as well as the Washing Machine pop up book. My son has a similar book for the latter by Ladybird series but yours is much nicer with the pop up washing machine. Can you pls tell me where did you purchase these 2 books??

TIA

Hi autumnbronze,
I bought both at the book warehouse sale at Expo 2 years ago. I am not sure if these books can be found at other book shops.

Both books are available at http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Wandas-Washing-Machine-Anna-Mcquinn/dp/1589257685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259566294&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Pops-Machines-Roger-Priddy/dp/0312494661/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259566469&sr=1-1

[autumnbronze]

tamarind:

autumnbronze:

Hi Tamarind,


I LOVE the Machines as well as the Washing Machine pop up book. My son has a similar book for the latter by Ladybird series but yours is much nicer with the pop up washing machine. Can you pls tell me where did you purchase these 2 books??

TIA

Hi autumnbronze,
I bought both at the book warehouse sale at Expo 2 years ago. I am not sure if these books can be found at other book shops.

Both books are available at http://www.amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Wandas-Washing-Machine-Anna-Mcquinn/dp/1589257685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259566294&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Picture-Pops-Machines-Roger-Priddy/dp/0312494661/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259566469&sr=1-1

Tamarind,

Thx much

[spring]

Hi autumnbronze…


I bought e book Wanda’s Washing Machine fr Page One abt 1mth ago at original price, costing ard 20plus. No choice… my gal was so fascinated wif washing machine n happened to see tamarind’s blog recommending this book. But no regret… my gal loves this book so much… has been reading to her everyday.

[autumnbronze]

spring:

Hi autumnbronze....


I bought e book Wanda's Washing Machine fr Page One abt 1mth ago at original price, costing ard 20plus. No choice... my gal was so fascinated wif washing machine n happened to see tamarind's blog recommending this book. But no regret... my gal loves this book so much... has been reading to her everyday.

Hey Spring,

Thx much for the info. Appreciate it.

Wow, it is pricey ... hmm may consider it as a X'mas present for him then. DS is very fascinated with the washing machine at the moment. He loves to go and watch it move when we are washing the clothes in it.

Actually, there is a perpetual warehouse book sale in AMK Ave 10, will check it out there first, if not then go to Page One.

Did you buy the book from Page One at VivoCity??