Happy New Year! Now is the perfect time to focus on improving your child's reading and spelling skills. Does your child struggle with reading and spelling? Check out these 3 strategies to improve reading this year!
2023 has come and gone and we have a whole new year ahead of us! Many of us have resolutions of goals that we want to help our students and children with. A common one that we hear every year is, "help my child become a better reader" or "read with my child every night". These are great goals! Many students need more than just reading every night to improve their reading. Take a look at these actionable things you can do at home to help your child learn to read this year. As always, reach out to us with any questions! At Hammond Bell Educational Services, we're committed to the best online orton-gillingham tutoring to help your child thrive.
1. Phonics, phonics, phonics:
Why are phonics important?
You may have googled, "how to help my child with reading". This is a crucial first step. Recognizing the connection between letters and sounds is crucial for effective reading. Personalizing phonics exploration allows you to cater to your child's specific needs and pace. 3 strategies to improve reading at home:
Phonics is a important skill that is sometimes overlooked in traditional teaching, especially with struggling readers. By personalizing phonics exploration, we address these gaps and provide a solid foundation for reading and spelling. Sight words are different from ph
Tips:
Identify Starting Points: Begin by assessing your child's current phonics knowledge. Recognize the sounds they are confident with and pinpoint areas that need reinforcement.
The PAST assessment is a great tool for identifying a starting point for phonics and phonemic awareness. This tool is even helpful for parents and teachers who suspect dyslexia. Is your child a poor speller or do they have difficulty spelling? These skills have a direct link.
Decodable Books: Introduce decodable books aligned with your child's phonics level. This ensures they practice reading words that align with the sounds they are learning. Decodable books are wonderful tools to help dyslexia learners at home and students with difficulty reading. Reading aloud is also helpful for reading comprehension at all grade levels.
You may be wondering, "does my child have dyslexia or a reading disability?" Check out our warning signs of dyslexia here. Many students with reading problems benefit from small group or one on one personalized tutoring.
Learning how to read for students with dyslexia is possible! Students who have trouble learning benefit from orton gillingham instruction which is highly personalized.
Interactive Phonics Games and Sight Words Games: Incorporate fun games that focus on specific phonics patterns and letter sounds. Online resources and board games can turn learning into an enjoyable experience. Word Wall is a wonderful online tool where you can create phonics games that work on reading and spelling skills.
2. Multi-sensory Phonemic Awareness Activities:
What is multisensory learning and why is it important?
Multisensory instruction in reading and spelling is effective for several reasons. It creates a rich, varied learning experience that accommodates different learners and promotes deep understanding and retention of skills. Multisensory is one of the core components of orton-gillingham programs.
Phonemic awareness, the ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds, is foundational. Multi-sensory activities engage various senses, reinforcing the understanding of sound structures. 3 strategies to improve reading #2 tips:
Tips:
Rhyming Games: Explore rhyming games to enhance phonemic awareness. Encourage your child to identify words that rhyme or create rhyming word pairs. There are tons of games for kids who don't like reading! Email us for some free ideas!
Segmenting and Blending: Practice breaking words into individual sounds (segmenting) and combining sounds to form words (blending). Use everyday objects or visuals to support understanding.
Specific programs like David Kilpatrick's Equipped for Reading Success
3. Structured Reading Time with Progress Tracking:
How to Track Reading Progress at Home:
Establishing a consistent reading routine and tracking progress provides a clear roadmap for improvement. This structured approach supports skill development and boosts confidence.
Tips:
Designate Reading Time: Set aside dedicated time each day for reading (this should NOT be independent reading unless your child is reading books at their level). Create a cozy reading nook with your child's favorite books and reading materials. For students who don't like reading, this can still be challenging. Audiobooks are helpful for students with dyslexia or students who have difficulty reading.
Progress Journal: Maintain a progress journal to track milestones. Note improvements, new words learned, and any challenges faced.
This journal serves as a tangible representation of your child's growth. Track reading progress weekly for best results. This allows them to see real time feedback.
Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate small victories to motivate your child. Whether it's successfully reading a challenging word or completing a book, acknowledging achievements fosters a positive reading environment. Children with dyslexia often have low confidence because of years of reading challenges. Celebrating small achievements is a great way to grow confidence.
Conclusion:
Empowering your child in their reading journey requires a blend of personalized learning and consistent progress tracking. By using these simple yet impactful strategies into your daily routine, you pave the way for a successful reading year. If you observe warning signs of dyslexia or notice persistent struggles, consider exploring specialized programs like the Barton Reading and Spelling System or Orton-Gillingham tutoring to provide targeted support. We hope you found these 3 strategies to improve reading helpful!
Reading difficulties shouldn't be a barrier to your child's success. People with dyslexia of all ages can excel with reading and spelling. Start the new year with these actionable steps and witness the transformative power of personalized learning on your child's reading abilities.
Ready to get started and jumpstart your child's reading and spelling this year? Ask us about our free consultation to see if orton-gillingham tutoring is a good fit for you! Schedule your free call today or contact us here.
Happy New Year and Happy Learning! We look forward to a wonderful year!