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Phonemic Awareness

Helping a Child Grow in Early Reading Skills

by Carol Kay, Candy 4WAY Phonics

An A2Z Homeschool Weblog

There are FIVE BIG IDEAS involved in learning to read.

These FIVE BIG IDEAS are:

Phonemic Awareness
Alphabetic Principle
Accuracy/Fluency with text
Vocabulary
Comprehension.

This Article on Phonics will discuss the first of THE BIG FIVE -- Phonemic Awareness.


PHONEMIC AWARENESS

According to the National Reading Panel, Phonemic Awareness is the basis for a child’s literacy development and is one of the best indicators of whether a child will be a successful reader in the early elementary grades.

Phonemic awareness can be developed by first, providing a language-rich preschool environment and second, through explicit and systematic phonemic instruction which builds upon a child’s ability to grow in phonemic awareness (the ability to manipulate the spoken word).

Phonemic awareness is multi-faceted. There are four specific skills for children to gain in order for a child to grow in phonemic awareness:

1) Rhyming and alliteration
2) Segmenting letter sounds
3) Learning individual letter sounds
4) Blending letter sounds together

Let’s review these abilities one at time.

1) Rhyming and alliteration can be used to develop an awareness of the sounds of language. A parent or teacher can capture and direct a child’s ability to rhyme.

Here are some activities that can help to grow rhyming and alliterative skills:

*Matching pictures of objects that rhyme.

*Read a rhyming book aloud stopping to point out the rhymes.

*Play the Finish my Sentence Game. Begin a sentence, but replace the last word with something that rhymes with the correct word, such as, “It’s cold outside. I think I’ll put on my hat and boat.” Have the child give you the correct word, “coat.” Be prepared for wrong answers (that also might rhyme) for giggles, and for silliness.

*Play The Clap or Snap Game. Say two words. Ask the child to clap if the two words rhyme or snap his fingers if they do not rhyme. This can also be played with musical instruments using various drums, bells, or shakers to replace the clapping and snapping. Of course, when children make their own musical instruments it only adds to the fun.

2) Segmenting letter sounds requires a child to manipulate a spoken word by dividing (segmenting) it into its component sounds. This can be taught in game form by simply telling the child you are going to say a word ‘fast’ and asking the child to stretch out the word into its distinct sounds. For example, the parent or teacher says the word: “cat.” The child drags that word out: “c---a----t.”

3) Learning individual letter sounds involves teaching a child to recognize printed letters and to repeat their individual sounds. Learning individual letter sounds can be taught using rhyming alphabet charts, rhyming flashcards, and multisensory tools. (NOTE: These rhyming and multisensory tools are found in either The Candy 4WAY Phonics Program INSTANT DOWNLOAD for just $9.97 or in The Candy 4WAY Phonics Preschool Package INSTANT DOWNLOAD for just $7.97.)

4) Blending letter sounds together must always be taught by teaching a child to begin blending at the beginning of a word, thus teaching a correct left/right reading sequence. This will involve an explicit, systematic phonics program designed to teach these sounds and blends step by step on a daily basis. (NOTE: These letter sounds are taught systematically, step by step, in either The Candy 4WAY Phonics Program INSTANT DOWNLOAD for just $9.97  or in The Candy 4WAY Phonics Preschool Package INSTANT DOWNLOAD for just $7.97.)

Turning a child into a fantastic phonetic reader begins by supplying him with early phonemic awareness skills. This is what the folks at Candy 4WAY Phonics are all about: providing EXCELLENT and AFFORDABLE phonics/reading tools for today’s parents and teachers.

Check us out: www.candy4wayphonics.com

Please, don’t forget to read the TRUE STORY of a little girl named Candy who struggled in reading.

Sincerely,

Carol Kay, President
Candy 4WAY Phonics

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This article was written by Carol Kay.   Copyright 2009

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