Blogs

Learning to read is a significant milestone for a child. It lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning for the child. However, it can be equally tricky for parents to identify where to begin. With so many things to cover, from phonemic awareness to sight words, it can be challenging to decide where to start. 

But what if we told you that scientific evidence supports a suggested way of teaching kids to read? It begins with you reading to them every day from an early age. According to research from the Society for Research in Child Development, children who are read to from an early age perform better academically and have better vocabulary later in life. 

This is your sign to begin reading to your little human more regularly. However, this is not it. In this blog, we’ll share with you five simple steps to teach your child to read that can make a significant difference in their development. So, get ready and get going. Let’s begin! 

Why Reading Skills Are Important at an Early Age

Reading is more than just a hobby—it's a crucial skill that shapes your child’s entire educational experience. Here’s how early reading impacts them:

• Boosts Vocabulary & Comprehension

Regular reading helps children build a more extensive vocabulary and improve comprehension. Early exposure to language lays the groundwork for better understanding in school and strengthens cognitive skills.

• Promotes Cognitive Development

Reading sharpens critical thinking and information-processing skills. Even 15 minutes daily can boost reading abilities, helping kids keep pace or excel beyond national averages.

• Supports Emotional & Social Growth

Reading with children creates strong emotional bonds and fosters trust. It also exposes them to different cultures and perspectives, building empathy and social awareness.

• Helps with Phonics & Language Skills

Hearing words aloud helps children recognize and connect sounds to letters, building phonics skills and improving their overall language development.

• Fuels Creativity & Imagination

Books ignite imagination by encouraging kids to visualize stories. This nurtures creativity, boosting problem-solving and cognitive flexibility as they grow.

• Strengthens Brain Development

Reading supports brain development by enhancing areas linked to language and literacy. A consistent reading habit promotes neurological growth, setting kids up for long-term academic success.

Interesting, isn’t it? Now, without any further ado, let’s move on to the five simple steps to help your kids learn to read, beginning with some songs and music. 

Use Songs and Nursery Rhymes

Songs and nursery rhymes aren’t just fun—they’re actually key to helping kids develop essential reading skills. When children sing or chant these rhymes, they naturally start paying attention to the sounds, syllables, and rhythms of words. This helps them build phonological awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language—an essential step toward reading.

• Clap Along to Boost Literacy Skills

Clapping along to the rhythm of songs and rhymes adds an extra layer of learning. It gets kids involved in the rhythm and syllables of words, helping them understand how words break down into smaller parts, like syllables. This kind of physical activity makes it easier for them to segment sentences into words and words into syllables, supporting reading fluency. Plus, it’s a fun and memorable way to learn.

Next, create simple word cards and keep them handy for different planned and impromptu activities. 

Create Simple Word Cards

Teachers often use simple word cards to help kids learn to read by focusing on three-letter words like "ram" or "sat." These cards teach phonics and decoding by breaking words into sounds, such as /r/, /a/, and /m/ for "ram." This builds phonemic awareness, a crucial skill for reading. You can make these cards easily at home. Here’s how you can use them more effectively.

• Engaging and Interactive Learning

Each card can show the word on one side and phonemes or sound buttons on the other. This makes it easier for kids to blend sounds. Visual aids, like raising fingers for each sound, add a fun, interactive element.

• Connecting Words with Images

Adding pictures to the cards helps kids connect words to real-life objects. For example, a "ram" card could show a picture of an actual ram. Start with simple consonants and move to more complex sounds for gradual progress.

• Multisensory Fun

For beginners, focus on the sounds, not letter names. Activities like writing with playdough or tracing on a tablet help reinforce learning. Turning these exercises into games makes them more engaging.

As kids build confidence, introduce more complex words with silent letters or vowel combinations, and always pair new challenges with positive feedback to keep their motivation high.

Another interesting way to ensure that kids know how any word looks, point out the words when you read them. To know more, check out this Reddit thread. 

All right, it’s time to add to the visual appeal. Let’s look at how you can make a print-rich environment at home. 

Creating a Print-Rich Environment

Creating a print-rich environment is a powerful way to help kids connect sounds to symbols and build literacy. Surrounding them with printed words makes reading a natural part of daily life.

• Labeling for Connection

Labeling items around the house—like toy boxes or utensils—with large, clear letters helps kids link words to objects. This simple practice shows them that print has meaning and serves a purpose.

• Environmental Print Everywhere

Pointing out letters on signs, posters, or labels is another easy way to boost print awareness. Whether it’s a street sign, store label, or classroom poster, seeing words in everyday places helps children understand that print conveys information.

• Interactive Learning Tools

Interactive tools like word walls at home or school can reinforce this connection. Display familiar words and ones tied to their interests to keep kids engaged. Letting children create their own picture books or stories deepens their understanding of print as a tool for communication.

• Visuals and Text Together

Using visuals alongside text—like in board books—helps kids associate words with meanings. Reading nooks or writing centres with words next to pictures can make vocabulary stick faster.

• Making Reading Fun

An inviting reading space with a variety of books makes reading enjoyable. Changing up the displays and getting kids involved keeps things fresh and exciting. When you read and write in front of them, it shows them how print is used in real life.

• Real-Life Connections

Incorporating everyday items like menus, recipes, or packaging makes print feel more relevant. Activities like pretend play in a restaurant or store allow kids to practice reading and writing in a fun, hands-on way.

• Community Contributions

Adding books, newspapers, or other community materials to the mix enriches the environment and encourages a culture of learning. A print-rich environment helps kids see reading as an essential, enjoyable part of life.

To add to the fun, how about we add some games? 

Play Word Games

Word games are a great way to make learning to read fun and engaging for kids. These playful activities turn practice into something exciting and interactive.

• Identify Sounds in Words

A fun game like a "Sound Scavenger Hunt" helps kids identify sounds in words. Parents can challenge them to find objects around the house that start with the same sound as a word on a card. It’s a hands-on way to connect words with the world around them.

• Manipulate Sounds Through Games

Games that focus on manipulating sounds can boost phonics skills. In "Letter Swat," kids swat at letters or sounds you call out, turning learning into a physical activity. "Consonant and Vowel Cups" lets them change letters to create new words, teaching how different combinations can completely alter a word.

• Digital Games for Phonics

Digital programs blend technology and games to help kids master phonics. These games help children identify and manipulate sounds and are a fun way to reinforce phonemic awareness. 

• Tactile and Visual Learning

Games like "Read and Grab" or "Word Building with Playdough" add tactile and visual elements. Drawing cards and reading words or molding letters from playdough makes learning more hands-on and enjoyable.

• Creating Meaningful Sentences

Games like "Madlibs" are perfect for manipulating sounds and words. Kids create silly sentences, learning how different sounds change the meaning of a word—an essential skill for decoding and understanding language.

Last but not least, kids should memorize high-frequency sight words when they encounter certain words. 

Memorize High-Frequency Sight Words

Memorizing high-frequency sight words is essential for reading fluency. These words don't follow phonetic rules, so kids need to recognize them by sight to read smoothly.

• Flashcards

Use flashcards with common sight words, categorizing them by level. Laminate them for durability, and try a "Sight Word Sort" to make grouping words into categories fun.

• Hands-On Activities

Try the "Say, Make, Write" activity: kids say a sight word, build it with magnetic letters or playdough, then write it down. This engages multiple senses, helping the words stick.

• Interactive & Creative Tactics

Play "Listen Out For" by showing sight word flashcards and having kids signal when they hear one during story time. You can also use playdough or building blocks to create words, adding a tactile element to learning.

• Digital Engagement

For tech-savvy kids, sight word apps and games like bingo or word searches offer fun, digital ways to reinforce word recognition.

These fun, hands-on methods make learning sight words engaging and help build a strong reading foundation.

Final Words

And that’s a wrap! Teaching kids to read is an exciting journey, and with these five simple steps, you’re well on your way to setting a strong foundation. From singing songs and clapping to creating word cards and playing interactive games, each method helps build essential skills while keeping learning fun and engaging. The best part? You’re not just teaching them to read—you’re also fostering a lifelong love for books and learning.

If you’re looking for even more ways to make reading fun and effective, check out the FunFox Program. With its interactive lessons and hands-on activities, FunFox makes reading an adventure for kids of all ages. So, dive into the world of words with your child, and remember: every small step counts toward their reading success. For more information, book a call with our team today!