As you know, learning to read is fundamental to your child's success in school and in life. But becoming a strong reader is challenging: it takes patience and perseverance- both by the parent and the young reader. And practicing reading sight words will help. Sight words are high-frequency words that are often difficult to sound out or illustrate so its important for emerging readers to master them "on sight". Being able to read these words automatically is the first step to reading fluently. It allows young readers to focus on more challenging words and understanding the text.
Try these things as you read books together:
Try these things as you read books together:
- Run your finger under the text as you read to help your child follow along. Then read the story again, but stop your finger on sight words we have been learning in class and help your child read those words aloud.
- Have your child read the story to you. Don't jump in if he or she gets stuck. Help your child figure out the challenging word using the pictures and context clues from the rest of the sentence. Ask, "Does that make sense? Does that look right? Does it sound right?".
- Play 'I Spy Sight Words' while reading other books. Look for common words while reading other texts to your child and let them read those words aloud.
