All About Teaching and Learning Phonics

[tamarind]

Hi hot,

The word "drink" is a phonetic word.
Examples of sight words are like "one", "two", "was", etc. We should not try to break up a sight word, because we cannot use the phonics sounds to read them. We should just point to the word and read it. Kids need to learn the word as a whole word. There are no techniques that we can use to read sight words, kids just need to be taught how to read it.

Basically I just made sure that my kids know the phonics techniques very well, then let them read as many story books as possible to learn the sight words.

After the Peter and Jane books, parents need to try to look for books that interest the child. My boy loves animals, so I let him read lots of books about animals. What does your boy like ? If he likes adventure stories, you can try to look for books about adventures for him.

I believe that kids can be trained to love to read. What I have done is to make my boy read a chapter from interesting story books, out loud to me everyday. It has become a routine and he does not mind reading to me. He is also free to read any book that he wants.

Also, my boy does not have any electronic games, and he is only allowed to watch TV for about 1 hour every day. Without distractions, when he has nothing to do, he reads because it is the most interesting thing to do.

[hot]

Hi Tamarind,


My boy loves dino, animals and cars. He will look for these books that he is very interested for his parents to read  … only keen to look at pictures but not reading it.

As mentioned, he is reluctant reader, books may interest him to look at the pictures, yet he will not keen or make effort to read.

I made it a point to have reading time every nite. Each of us will have a book of their choice to read, then share / exchange the story. So far, boy is trying hard to read his book aloud to us in order to listen to our story in return.

I am hoping this method can help cultivate his interest of reading books. Actually he loves looking at books when he has free time…he will pick up books to flip for sure. It is tat he does not want to read the words / story making me headache. He does not have TV, computer… no electronic stuffs…books and toys are his only playmates so far.

I guess all kids are different. When your method is applicable to your children, may not apply to others. I think I just have to be perseverance, continue to encourage him to read more and more.

Thank you so much for your time, effort and advice given to me.

[tamarind]

Hi hot,

My method is not much different from that of many other parents who have successfully brought up kids who can read very well at a very young age. Most parents and experts will tell you to read every day to your kids. In my case, I ask my kids to read out loud to me every day, because I find that this is the best way to make sure that they pay attention.

Whether we read to the kids, or ask the kids read out loud to us, the key is to read everyday, and make sure the the child is paying attention when he reads. In fact, I continue to read other story books with my kids long after they have completed the Peter and Jane books. It may take some time before the child will pick up a book and read on his own. We cannot expect them to do so right after they completed the Peter and Jane books.

The fact is that even after my kids are reading chapter books on their own, I still ask them to read out loud to me, from a book of my choice. I find that this is an excellent way of bonding with them.

[hot]

Hi Tamarind,


I know this is the best method. I mean it is just not for my boy.
Or maybe time not ripe yet
I just prayed hard he will willingly read all by himself one day.
Many times, when seeing him flipping thru the pages, I would
always explain and encourage him to read the words in the book
in order to know what the picture wanted to tell him.
Hope he will 开窍 one day.

[tamarind]

Hi hot,

Yes he will definitely 开窍 one day

My boy also used to flip through the pages, and I had no idea whether he was reading or not. Until one day he told me facts that he read from the books. Then I realized that he had been reading silently

[Bluepanda]

Hi,

Does anyone know how to decode these words - helmet, second, tunnel and kitten?

I was told that these words can break down like this.
For "helmet", break down into "h/e/l/m/e/t"
For "second", break down into "s/e/c/o/n/d".
For "tunnel", break down into "t/u/nn/e/l".
For "kitten", break down into "k/i/tt/e/n"

For example, "helmet", I say it as "h/e/l/m/t" without the "e" sound. But if I sound out each word, the word will then sound funny. Is there a rule to these words?

Can any mummies help me? Thanks in advance.

-bluepanda

[laughingcat]

Bluepanda:

Hi,

Does anyone know how to decode these words - helmet, second, tunnel and kitten?

I was told that these words can break down like this.
For \"helmet\", break down into \"h/e/l/m/e/t\"
For \"second\", break down into \"s/e/c/o/n/d\".
For \"tunnel\", break down into \"t/u/nn/e/l\".
For \"kitten\", break down into \"k/i/tt/e/n\"

For example, \"helmet\", I say it as \"h/e/l/m/t\" without the \"e\" sound. But if I sound out each word, the word will then sound funny. Is there a rule to these words?

Can any mummies help me? Thanks in advance.

-bluepanda

If the short vowel does not sound right, try the long one. Which in this case the 2nd |e| should just say the name. This helps with irregular words. E.g he, blind, item

[Bluepanda]

Hi laughingcat,

Thanks for your reply.

I think I found the answer at this link - http://www.englishpronunciationpod.com/podcast_20.html

In this website, it states that \"When a syllable is unstressed the vowel changes quality the vowel is reduced- it's made shorter and usually we use the vowel /ə/,\" the schwa.\" ( /ə/ as a in across)

For example, \"helmet\"
In this word, the 2nd syllable \"met\" is unstressed and hence the vowel /e/ is reduced to /ə/. And this explains to me (at least) why I read this word (helmet) as \"helmət\" and not \"helmet\".

This can be used to explain words like \"seven, tunnel and kitten\".

I wonder how phonics teachers teach such words to the kids? Anyone parents know care to share? Thank you.

[laughingcat]

Hi Bluepanda,


There are many rules to phonics since English Language is rather \"technical\". Moreover approximate 80-90% of the words can be decodable. Normally pre-school teachers only taught the basic phonics rules. Some rules are best taught when the child is sightly older; depending on the maturity of the child. To avoid confusion, just teach the basic phonics rules will do.

To me, personally not quite possible for a toddler to understand so many rules. Both my child are taught the basic rules and they are already reading very well already. Lots of reading with the children, phonics play & activities and flashcards as well. Relax lah

[Bluepanda]

Hi laughingcat,

Thanks for your reply.

I know that I should teach the basic rules but I stumbled upon these words while reading with my girl Fitzroy Reader 8x. So I became curious :? and wonder how I should teach her... and wonder how will a phonics teacher teach her (assuming she's attending a class)... :?