6 Tips for Teaching Your Preschooler Phonics

With phonics, you can open up a magical new world for your preschoolers by teaching them the fundamentals of reading. But what exactly is phonics, and how does knowing this instructional approach help develop your child’s literacy and reading skills? Simply put, phonics is a method of teaching reading and spelling that emphasises the relationship between sounds and their corresponding written symbols (letters and letter combinations). It helps preschoolers decode words, recognise sound patterns, and understand the fundamental connections between written and spoken language. That’s why phonics is a critical component of early learning, much like how it is in every Kinderland school in Singapore.

In preschool curriculums like that of Kinderland’s, phonics is emphasised to provide a solid foundation for your child’s reading and writing skills. Furthermore, Kinderland’s approach to education in terms of phonics is multi-sensory, consisting of learning through sight, sound, movement, and speaking, aside from reading and writing. Indeed, the programme was designed to provide optimal learning opportunities for your child.

As a parent, your involvement in coordinating and supporting your preschooler’s phonics learning is crucial. By working hand-in-hand with teachers from forward-looking institutions, you’ll ensure that your child not only progresses in their learning but also discovers the joy of reading. 

Let’s dive into some tips that will make teaching phonics an engaging activity for both you and your little one.

1. Use Games to Build Phonics Awareness

Phonics does not need to be a daunting or boring affair. To spark your child’s interest and sense of fun, you can turn it into an exciting game for them. Engaging your preschooler in interactive activities, for example, enhances phonemic awareness. You can play games like “Phonic Bingo” or “Letter Hunt” to make learning an enjoyable experience.

These activities reinforce letter-sound connections. In both games, your child hears the letter and hunts for it in their bingo card or letter hunt sheet. With this game, you can observe if your child recognises the letter symbols or not. It’s a great way to pinpoint where your child needs more help.

2. Introduce Letters and Sounds

Creating a phonics-rich environment at home is a vital step to reading. Start by introducing letters and their corresponding sounds through creative methods. For example, you can use colorful alphabet charts, sing catchy letter songs, and involve your child in letter-themed crafts. The most important thing to remember is to use methods that exercise a combination of your child’s auditory learning, visual learning, and sensory memory at the same time. In doing so, you create a more effective learning experience for your child.

3. Teach Your Child Some Sight Words

Sight words are commonly used words in the English language that are recognised by sight rather than decoded phonetically, as they often do not follow typical phonetic patterns. “The,” “they,” “are,” and “is” are just some examples. They play a pivotal role in early reading since they are high-frequency words. What’s more, these words are best learned by sight rather than phonetically. Once your preschoolers master the word, they no longer need to pause and blend the letter sounds together, which makes reading so much faster and easier.

To enable your child to master as many sight words as possible, you may make a simple sight words list and integrate them into your daily activities. You may also use flashcards, and ask your child to read as many sight words as they can. 

4. Read Aloud to Your Child

Did you know that there’s research that suggests kids who are read to at least one book a day were exposed to 290,000 more words by the age of 5 than children who don’t get read to regularly? Indeed, reading aloud to your child has a lot of benefits—not just in terms of cognitive development but also in terms of forming a parental bond with your child. 

For preschoolers who are just learning to read, you can choose books with rhythmic patterns, rhymes, and engaging illustrations, such as Dr. Seuss books and nursery rhymes. As you read, point to words, emphasising sounds and encouraging your child to follow along. The more exposure to diverse vocabulary and sentence structures, the better equipped your preschooler becomes in understanding phonics.

5. Boost Their Comprehension

Phonics isn’t just about decoding words; it’s the key to unlocking comprehension. In mastering fluency of words, your child can then comprehend and understand words, sentences, and stories.

Reinforce this vital part of reading and literacy by discussing the stories you read together. Ask them questions and encourage your child to make predictions. By enhancing comprehension skills, your preschooler not only reads but also understands the meaning behind the words, which sets the stage for a lifelong love of reading and literature.

6. Instill the Love of Books

Create a warm and inviting reading nook at home. Surround your child with a variety of books, making reading a cherished daily activity. Furthermore, make sure these books are accessible and age-appropriate for your child so they’ll independently seek out books they are interested in reading. Fostering a love for books goes hand in hand with nurturing strong phonics skills.

Is your child keeping up with established reading milestones? While every child is different, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) published a guide for parents to see if their child is developing as expected or if they need additional support. 

7. Work with Their Teacher

Effective communication between parents and teachers is the linchpin of a child’s educational journey. Stay actively involved in your child’s preschool experience by regularly communicating with their teacher. Moreover, share insights into your child’s progress at home, and be open to suggestions for reinforcing phonics learning. After all, a collaborative approach ensures a seamless transition between home and school.

Teaching phonics to your preschooler is an adventure filled with discovery, laughter, and shared moments. Through these approaches, you not only support your child’s academic growth but also nurture a lifelong love for language and learning.