Topic: Beginning Reading

Learning to read consists of developing skills in two areas: accurate, fluent reading and comprehending the meaning of texts. Learning these skills does not come naturally. Both accurate word reading and text comprehension require careful, systematic instruction.

Phonological awareness is like an umbrella. Rhyming, alliteration, sentence segmentation, syllables, onset and rime, and phonemic awareness all exist under this umbrella with phonemic awareness being the most advanced skill of phonological awareness.

Four tips to use when reading with your child.

Questions to ask about your child's reading instruction at school.

Questions to ask about your child's assessments and instruction at school.

Helping your child with speech sounds supports early reading success.

Asking questions can help your child understand what she reads.

Helping your child stretch apart and connect sounds to sound out words supports early reading success.

Questions to ask about your child's reading skills.

Difficulties can be spotted early, ask these questions if you have concerns about your child's progress at school.

Help your child practice early literacy skills and understand ideas during everyday life.

Help your child practice speech sounds and letters during everyday life.

Help your child practice language skills and understand ideas during everyday life.

Reading skills provide the foundation for academic success. From the beginning of school, students should be taught different ways of using language to help them learn and communicate about academic content. This brief discusses two areas of literacy development that students must learn so that they can do well in school: foundational reading skills and academic language.

Taking part in literacy experiences at home can develop your child’s reading ability, comprehension, and language skills.  Activities that you can engage in at home include: joint reading, drawing, singing, storytelling, reciting, game playing, and rhyming.  You can tailor activities to your child’s age and ability level, and can incorporate technology into your learning opportunities.