Every child's journey into literacy is a marvel, a unique path painted with milestones and moments that weave into a story of discovery and growth. In this article, we delve into our experience teaching Sofia how to read and more importantly love reading, at the age of two. From letter recognition to mastering digraphs, her progression through three fundamental stages of literacy became a testament to the power of early learning.
Stage 1: Letter Recognition and Letter Sounds
Sofia's initiation into reading commenced with the foundation of letter recognition and their corresponding sounds. The utilization of interactive tools like 'My Letter Sounds Flashcards' became our guiding star in this stage. Through engaging exercises and playful interactions, Sofia swiftly embraced the alphabet and its phonetic sounds, laying the groundwork for her literacy journey.
Letter Sounds Flashcards for sound practice
Upper & Lowercase Letters Flashcards for letter recognition practice
Studies by the National Reading Panel indicate that early exposure to letter recognition and phonics significantly contributes to a child's reading proficiency later in life. (Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development). It’s important to always show Upper & Lowercase letters together when practicing recognition and sounds. Even young toddlers are capable of retain both letter forms from an early age and this will reduce confusion later on.
Stage 2: Blending Letter Sounds
The journey into reading progressed as Sofia mastered the art of blending letter sounds. Our family rituals, especially during our car rides and cozy evenings by the fireplace, became moments of shared learning. The verbal practice with letter flashcards and the magnetic letter board transformed into joyful sessions where Sofia's eagerness to learn flourished. On car rides to and from preschool, I would say “M” “O” “M” and Sofia would say “Mom!”. Or she would say “C” “A” “T” and I would say “Cat!” We started with two letter sounds together like “At” and “To” and then moved up to three letters. By making it an engaging and interactive game, we made very quick practice and we even reducing many meltdown moments by tapping into her logic brain.
Lego Bricks & Letter Kit for building letters
Magnetic Letter Board & Letters for building 1-3 letter words
Rhyming Flashcards for practicing reading short words
Early literacy skills not only foster a love for reading but also enhance cognitive abilities, language development, and creativity in young children. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics). Practicing with rhyming flashcards was HUGE because it built up Sofia’s confidence right away. Once she understand the sound of each letter, reading a page of rhyming words allowed her to go really fast through the words which gave her a huge boost of confidence.
Sofia is a quick learner, but she’s also very quick to be hard on herself if she doesn’t get a new skill or concept right away. So this stage was especially difficult and took likes for time and practice in low pressure situations where we could be playful and have fun with letter sounds. Building up confidence is so key when it comes to reading because it’s a very challenging skill when there are so many words that don’t follow the conventional rules.
Stage 3: Digraph Practice
The final leg of Sofia's reading odyssey led us to digraphs, where 'My Digraph Match Game Cards' played a pivotal role. With patience and encouragement, Sofia conquered this stage, solidifying her understanding of combined letter sounds and paving the way for independent reading. Digraphs are simply two letters that when put together make a unique sound like “CH” or “PH” or “TH”. These can be very tricky for early readers because they can’t instantly sound these out. It’s great to play games with digraphs so that your little reader can familiarize themselves with all of these two letter sound combinations.
Digraphs Memory Game for practicing advanced combo sounds
Our family's commitment to consistent practice and nurturing Sofia's curiosity became an integral part of our daily routine, turning learning into cherished moments of bonding and growth.
The Benefits of Early Reading
The advantages of early reading are profound and far-reaching. Beyond the academic realm, Sofia's early literacy journey enriched her imagination, honed her communication skills, and laid a robust foundation for lifelong learning. It's a journey that not only shapes a child's academic prowess but also nurtures their holistic development.
Sofia's journey to reading exemplifies the magic that unfolds when a child is provided with the tools, guidance, and nurturing environment to explore the world of letters and words. Through stages of discovery and shared family moments, her path to literacy was illuminated, proving that the seeds of reading sown early in life bloom into a lifelong love for learning.
Remember, every child's reading journey is unique. Embrace the process, celebrate the milestones, and cherish the moments.