<![CDATA[On Reading]]>There is no one method that can work magic and teach all young kids to read. In fact, it's more than just one method that will start a child to take interest in reading. Asides from parents sharing their own experience, many experts have also shared their part. In KSP, we have buds to share on phonics. Years ago, another early childhood educator has also kindly shared her views on reading. Here's the link http://www.baybsupplies.biz/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=7910 .


And in another forum a few years ago, I participated in an interesting discussion with other mommies on phonics http://www.singaporemotherhood.com/forumboard/messages/36738/1161065.html?1196044030 .

Sometimes our views simply don't agree because all kids learn differently. Within phonics itself, there's more than one way of teaching a child to read. Some kids find learning to read c-at, b-at etc a breeze. But for others, this may not be easy. Besides learning the letter sounds, the child has to memorise at, ake, an, etc. To me, this is an added burden and may turn a child off. For my kids, they simply blend the words on their sounds c-a-t = cat, b-a-n = ban etc. Simple and straightforward. For those who are interested in the differences between phonics, try googling for more information on synthetic and analytic phonics.

If you are serious about teaching your kids to read via phonics, go get a book that can give you an idea what phonics is about. Have an overview what the subject is about, only then one can guide his/her own child on it. After all, if you know naught about phonics, how can you teach your child to read using phonics? An alternative will be to sit through some phonic classes and learn with your kid. This will be beneficial not only to yourself but also your other kids.

Lastly, phonics is not the only key to read. If it doesn't work for your child, don't despair. Just try another key.


PS : I hope CKS won't mind me pasting links to other forums here. πŸ˜„

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/8780/on-readingRSS for NodeTue, 28 Apr 2026 09:41:51 GMTSun, 07 Feb 2010 11:03:45 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:29:49 GMT]]>My kids love books. Will always ask me to read and read. That's partly why I'm so keen to teach DS1 to read, so he can read some simple ones to mei mei πŸ˜‰


I have regular \"homework\" time for DS1. Reading of readers is just before bedtime. Reading of storybooks is as and when I can find pockets of time, or upon request.

Yup, gotta work on the Chinese cos thre's no systematic framework for teaching, not like phonics for English. It also doesn't help that the characters can look so similar. I do not want them to read based on hanyu pinyin.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/145120https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/145120Tue, 23 Mar 2010 07:29:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:03:26 GMT]]>hi mummy of 2,


It’s good to institute a regular reading time. My kids didn’t use to like books, but after I started bedtime story sessions - now they clamour for it…even when we’re tired after a whole day of activities (knife cut both ways I suppose).

DS1 can read fairly independently now in English. Time for me to headache over the chinese portion…so doing more readings in Chinese. Sometimes I also get DS1 to read to DS2…then I get some time to myself and also if I’m around, can check if DS1 saying the right thing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/145012https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/145012Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:03:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:43:43 GMT]]>Thanks all, for your encouragment and generous sharing on your own methods, and what works or doesn't. It helps alot that I can learn from others' experience wthout having to try out everything on my own.


Yeah, autumnbronze, the books from the buying spree will be put to good use soon, I hope.

Yup, buds, you are right the discipline is very impt. Actually DS1 is the one who insist on reading and doing homework every night now. He will \"request/remind\" if I'm too tired and try to act blur about it πŸ˜‰ Will ask DS1 if he wants to read but don't be shocked if he says he wants to \"read the whole stack\" of more than 30 books.

My aim is that eventually DS1 can help guide DD2 to read, then I can take a break!

Now that he is more or less on-track for English, time to brush up on his character recognition for Chiense.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144991https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144991Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:43:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:14:21 GMT]]>

mummy of 2:
Hi


Just want to update that DS1 is now able to raed about 80% of the Rigby readers independently (without prompting) and he is able to sound out with some accuracy the words he does not know how to pronounce yet. πŸ˜„

I share this with the hope that more parents will be encouraged to teach their kids how to read. I adopt a combination of phonics and sight reading, and also cultivate an interest in reading. This can be done at home, without the need to attend enrichment classes.
Well Done! :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144716https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144716Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:14:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:25:12 GMT]]>From reading the word 'lobster' to now reading 80% of the Rigbys...*clap clap clap* :celebrate:

The moral here is time and dedication. Without time management... ie.
setting aside just that few minutes a day & the possibility of stretching
longer each time until the interest catches on... there would be no
routine for reading time.

Dedication is when one is all out researching the methods & putting it
to practice time after time, no matter how much time that can be allocated
for it... then fine tuning it.... and perfecting it and capitalizing on how they
learn best. (Learning Styles)

Mebbe DS1 can read for Auntie Buds when i come see you again sometime
this week, ya... πŸ˜‰ Way to go, mummy of 2! Well done! :salute:

Just to drop by and tell you that i'm sharing your joy for the progress
thus far.. :hugs:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144666https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144666Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:25:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:39:28 GMT]]>

mummy of 2:
Hi


Just want to update that DS1 is now able to raed about 80% of the Rigby readers independently (without prompting) and he is able to sound out with some accuracy the words he does not know how to pronounce yet. πŸ˜„

I share this with the hope that more parents will be encouraged to teach their kids how to read. I adopt a combination of phonics and sight reading, and also cultivate an interest in reading. This can be done at home, without the need to attend enrichment classes.

Hi mummy of 2,

:rahrah: Hooray :rahrah:

This is fantastic πŸ˜„

It is really encouraging cuz I don't intend to send DS for any enrichment class for reading as well. I am halfway thru formally reinforcing the letters of the alphabets with DS. I will also use a combination of sight words and phonics as well. Have started encouraging DS to identify and remember word 'I' as in 'I am' whenever I read to him. I am actually quite excited in this teaching aspect .... can't wait for HIM to read to me. What pleasure to have someone re-read children's classic books to you, that too your own child πŸ˜„ Okie lah, will not be perfect reading in the beginning, but at least its a start, rite?

Lets press on and continue enriching our kids (if we can) to the best of our ability.

ps: See that the book buying spree is coming in reeeaaaal handy πŸ˜‰ πŸ˜‰ :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144640https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144640Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:39:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:35:50 GMT]]>Hi


Just want to update that DS1 is now able to raed about 80% of the Rigby readers independently (without prompting) and he is able to sound out with some accuracy the words he does not know how to pronounce yet. πŸ˜„

I share this with the hope that more parents will be encouraged to teach their kids how to read. I adopt a combination of phonics and sight reading, and also cultivate an interest in reading. This can be done at home, without the need to attend enrichment classes.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144592https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/144592Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:35:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:00:33 GMT]]>

chamonix:
mummy of 2:

Thanks buds and chamonix for your encouraging words. I also picked up reading through sight reading. But I hope to make it easier for them by teaching them phonics at the same time. This is one aspect I lacked when I was learning to read. True that there is more than one way to learn to read. Being kiasu, I guess it helps to try as many different ways as possible πŸ˜„


At the end of the day, it is more important to cultivate the love for reading and learning. Techniques and skills can be improved over time. But if there is no interest or motivation, then no technique or skill is going to get your child to pick up a book voluntarily.

Hi mummy of 2,

I'm no educator and my kids are the only two young \"students\" I ever have, so no much experience to share lah.:P But I must say the ability to read is a magical one. Your son may not read today but he may surprise you by rattling off a newspaper article next week. So in the meantime, just do your best to read to them and guide them along. πŸ˜„

For phonics, it's good to read up on them. Any additional knowledge is definitely useful. For myself, I use phonics to enhance my kids' reading experience. No structured phonics lessons for us but along the way (in fact, we use different books all the time), I'll point out and share with them what I learnt. For eg. the word \"know\", I use letterland to explain why 'k' is not voiced, because Noisy Nick is too noisy and so Kicking King kept quiet. In that way, they can pick up something even without much real teaching. πŸ™‚

Well, DS1 is not reading the newspaper yet. But he could read the word \"lobster\" on the menu. It's a start, and hope he will be able to read independently in time to come. In the meantime, I will persevere in my efforts to teach him.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/135115https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/135115Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:00:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:52:09 GMT]]>hmm, but I'm so angry after he dismantle the thing and I can't fix it back! :x


I guess I would have to find other alternative for him to do...he knows how to open the battery cover and put battery, so he needs something else... πŸ˜“

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/130047https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/130047Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:52:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:36:27 GMT]]>

Funz:
... Dismantling toys is part of playing for kids. It shows that he has an innate curiousity about how things are put together or rather what is inside the item. Yes many a times they dismantle and that's it, as they are unable to put it back together again. Try getting him stuff that requires assembling, eg, light experiment sets where he needs to put together batteries, etc to see it light up. Or basic robotics stuff. Of course with such stuff he will require you or your DH to guide him. Read instructions together with him, hopefully he will pick up more reading skills like this.

Yes... dismantling stuff was what I loved to do as a kid too. Took apart my dad's pocket radio to find out who's inside. Couldn't put it back and I quickly found out what my buttocks were for. I also took the family iron apart to find out how it got hot and how the thermostat worked - I was able to put that one back together so my dad was none the wiser. I would have taken my mum's sewing machine apart too, if not for the fact that she was always around.

I would take dismantling or \"destroying\" stuff a good sign of natural born curiosity to figure out how things work.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/130031https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/130031Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:36:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:43:28 GMT]]>

smurf:
Hi Chamonix,


you are right. I'm very stress up. especially, when I read from some threads, this kid can do this that kid can do that...wow...

my boy told me he doesn't want to go sch...I dun think it has anything to do with the sch...it is just his nature that he hates going to sch...so even if I change sch, also no point... 😞

honestly, I dunno what he enjoy doing...aparts from playing computer or handheld game...

I tried drawing, bought him art and craft papers and such, he just scribble a while and then threw it aside...bought toys for him, play a while threw it aside...bought this bought that, he doesn't have loooong attention span, so anything that needs to read instruction, he will destroy them, he will be trying to DISMANTLE them instead of playing with them (er, you know what I mean?)

recently I bought a ATM saving machine for him, he saw me using screw dirver to put batteries, and then, after that, he also do the same thing. instead of playing with it, he open it up. :frustrated:


sometimes he will ask me,'mum, what can I do now?'

I told him,'you can read book if you want.'

I tried reading to him, he will look elsewhere...look up and down, anywhere, except the book. :x

can 😒 1 lor.
Smurf, I for one feel that computer and electronic games and even educational games shorten children's attention span.

Dismantling toys is part of playing for kids. It shows that he has an innate curiousity about how things are put together or rather what is inside the item. Yes many a times they dismantle and that's it, as they are unable to put it back together again. Try getting him stuff that requires assembling, eg, light experiment sets where he needs to put together batteries, etc to see it light up. Or basic robotics stuff. Of course with such stuff he will require you or your DH to guide him. Read instructions together with him, hopefully he will pick up more reading skills like this.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/129464https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/129464Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:43:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:29:42 GMT]]>Hi Chamonix,


you are right. I'm very stress up. especially, when I read from some threads, this kid can do this that kid can do that...wow...

my boy told me he doesn't want to go sch...I dun think it has anything to do with the sch...it is just his nature that he hates going to sch...so even if I change sch, also no point... 😞

honestly, I dunno what he enjoy doing...aparts from playing computer or handheld game...

I tried drawing, bought him art and craft papers and such, he just scribble a while and then threw it aside...bought toys for him, play a while threw it aside...bought this bought that, he doesn't have loooong attention span, so anything that needs to read instruction, he will destroy them, he will be trying to DISMANTLE them instead of playing with them (er, you know what I mean?)

recently I bought a ATM saving machine for him, he saw me using screw dirver to put batteries, and then, after that, he also do the same thing. instead of playing with it, he open it up. :frustrated:


sometimes he will ask me,'mum, what can I do now?'

I told him,'you can read book if you want.'

I tried reading to him, he will look elsewhere...look up and down, anywhere, except the book. :x

can 😒 1 lor.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/129271https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/129271Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:29:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:33:34 GMT]]>Hi smurf,


Oops, that sounds very stressful for you. How about taking a break from reading and teaching? Focus on something that you and your son enjoy doing. When things are more settled, then re-introduce reading? Otherwise, a stressful mommy will lead to more stressful situations.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/128817https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/128817Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:33:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:26:51 GMT]]>

jesschan:
When my DS1 was in K2, he was very strong in phonics. But he didn't like reading because even though he could read out many words, he didn't understand the meaning. Then my husband bought him a Gameboy and he began to learn to read because he needed to understand the instructions in order to play the games! Once he gained confidence in reading, the rest was easy.

is your DS Γ‘ddicted' to game? I try to avoid giving him game cos children get addicted easily...

I think he doesn't understand what he is reading, I can tell that when he reads, he has difficulty understanding, and the way he reads is not fluent (if u know what I mean)...he would read 1 or 2 words and then pause for 2 sec and then reads 2-3 words again and then pause...if he is not reading fluently and smoothly, I doubt he understands... 😞

but when asked what is the meaning of the word, he can answer, only when it is put into sentence (many sentences), then he wouldn't understand. :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127596https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127596Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:26:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:23:35 GMT]]>Hi Chamonix,


hmm...more difficult leh...I tried many times to read to him...even point to the words, with and without...the younger one even worse, no patience at all...after 10 sec, he runs off... 😞

I bought those big big pictures, he is drawn to the picture, but after less than 5 mins, he runs off... 😒

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127482https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127482Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:23:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:50:53 GMT]]>

mummy of 2:
Thanks buds and chamonix for your encouraging words. I also picked up reading through sight reading. But I hope to make it easier for them by teaching them phonics at the same time. This is one aspect I lacked when I was learning to read. True that there is more than one way to learn to read. Being kiasu, I guess it helps to try as many different ways as possible πŸ˜„


At the end of the day, it is more important to cultivate the love for reading and learning. Techniques and skills can be improved over time. But if there is no interest or motivation, then no technique or skill is going to get your child to pick up a book voluntarily.
Hi mummy of 2,

I'm no educator and my kids are the only two young \"students\" I ever have, so no much experience to share lah.:P But I must say the ability to read is a magical one. Your son may not read today but he may surprise you by rattling off a newspaper article next week. So in the meantime, just do your best to read to them and guide them along. πŸ˜„

For phonics, it's good to read up on them. Any additional knowledge is definitely useful. For myself, I use phonics to enhance my kids' reading experience. No structured phonics lessons for us but along the way (in fact, we use different books all the time), I'll point out and share with them what I learnt. For eg. the word \"know\", I use letterland to explain why 'k' is not voiced, because Noisy Nick is too noisy and so Kicking King kept quiet. In that way, they can pick up something even without much real teaching. πŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127415https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127415Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:50:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:35:58 GMT]]>

smurf:
HI Poonie,



I used my bestest expression to make the story nice, and even raise my voie and different voices for different characters. guess what? he walks away. :oops:

imagine read barely 2 sentences and the boy just walk away. so paiseh...

he just not keen in reading...BTW, he is 5 now...

I think if he is not keen in reading, even if he can read also no use... 😞


make my job very difficult leh! 😒

Thanks Buds for your encouragement. I also very lazy lately...hee... :oops:
Hi smurf,

Hope things are more settled for you at home. πŸ™‚

Have you tried out any of the above generous sharing by the various forumers? I do adopt some of them time to time too. Enticing my kids to read with interesting books is my favourite strategy. πŸ˜‰

Okie, how about trying this - read to your younger son when your elder boy is around? Make sure it's fun and that both of you enjoy the reading sessions. Perhaps when your elder one sees the fun that his younger brother is having, he might be drawn to sit down and listen to you.

Sometimes the more I want my kids to do something, the more rebellious they become. But reverse psychology often works well for me.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127393https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/127393Sun, 21 Feb 2010 14:35:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:33:53 GMT]]>When my DS1 was in K2, he was very strong in phonics. But he didn’t like reading because even though he could read out many words, he didn’t understand the meaning. Then my husband bought him a Gameboy and he began to learn to read because he needed to understand the instructions in order to play the games! Once he gained confidence in reading, the rest was easy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125477https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125477Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:33:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:51:41 GMT]]>and story books based on toys, games and movies that he likes.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125451https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125451Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:51:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:48:26 GMT]]>

smurf:
he is not keen in anything, except playing game.:(

Find some games that he needs to read the instruction to play.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125441https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125441Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:48:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:12:35 GMT]]>he is not keen in anything, except playing game.:(


and when he plays game, he anyhow play...hahah...I think he is too inpatient for anything. when I teach him something, even before I finish saying, he says, I want i want. or I know i know. but after that, he just leave the thing aside. how to teach? I give up lah.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125324https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/125324Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:12:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:49:57 GMT]]>

smurf:
HI Poonie,



I used my bestest expression to make the story nice, and even raise my voie and different voices for different characters. guess what? he walks away. :oops:

imagine read barely 2 sentences and the boy just walk away. so paiseh...

he just not keen in reading...BTW, he is 5 now...

I think if he is not keen in reading, even if he can read also no use... 😞


make my job very difficult leh! 😒

Thanks Buds for your encouragement. I also very lazy lately...hee... :oops:
What is he interested in? Dinosaurs? Transport? Bugs? Volcanoes? Find books with topics that catches his interest.

My 2 kiddos started reading from memory first and they are largely reading by sight instead of using phonics. DS(turning 5 this yr) is picking out words here and there but when asked to read, he will keep saying he doesn't know. Then he will surprise us by reading out signs or instructions out of no where.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/124810https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/124810Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:49:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:19:56 GMT]]>HI Poonie,



I used my bestest expression to make the story nice, and even raise my voie and different voices for different characters. guess what? he walks away. :oops:

imagine read barely 2 sentences and the boy just walk away. so paiseh...

he just not keen in reading...BTW, he is 5 now...

I think if he is not keen in reading, even if he can read also no use... 😞


make my job very difficult leh! 😒

Thanks Buds for your encouragement. I also very lazy lately...hee... :oops:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/123899https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/123899Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:19:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to On Reading on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:50:21 GMT]]>Thanks buds and chamonix for your encouraging words. I also picked up reading through sight reading. But I hope to make it easier for them by teaching them phonics at the same time. This is one aspect I lacked when I was learning to read. True that there is more than one way to learn to read. Being kiasu, I guess it helps to try as many different ways as possible πŸ˜„


At the end of the day, it is more important to cultivate the love for reading and learning. Techniques and skills can be improved over time. But if there is no interest or motivation, then no technique or skill is going to get your child to pick up a book voluntarily.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/123823https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/123823Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:50:21 GMT