Are there keys to success?
You better believe it! As with all things, there are ways to pave the way for success or for failure.
First: Timing is critical.
If you are going to teach someone to read from the start, be sure to test the waters. Does your student seem interested in learning to read? Are they mature enough to focus on a subject for at least 5-10 minutes at a time? Introduce only one or two letters [starting with Step 1] and see if your student is interested and engaged. If there is reluctance or resistance, back up and rethink your timing. Some children are ready and eager to learn to read at 3 or 4 years of age while others are not ready until 6 or 7. If you try to force them to be like everyone else, you might just create an aversion to reading that will follow them for a lifetime!
And remember... when you find they are ready to read, encourage, but be careful not to push. Reading should be an amazing adventure, not a homework chore!
Second: To be the most effective, phonics needs to be
taught in a systematic, sequential way.
Letters and Sounds first. Then build letters into words and words into sentences!
When phonics is not taught on purpose, but rather as a ‘by-the-way’ component of a school curriculum, students may miss vital phonics elements which can result in hindered reading skills.
Third: To be most effective, phonics also needs to be taught on a regularly
scheduled basis: four to five days per week.
Sessions should last about 20 minutes at a time. Two 20 minute sessions are far more productive than one 40 minute session.
Fourth: You will need a good phonics-based program that presents the
material in ways that complement your student’s learning style.
To get started on your reading adventure, please go to our Getting Started page.