4P’s of Starting to Read (Ep 46)

Starting to Read with a focus for progress

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It’s natural to wonder how to kickstart your child’s reading journey, especially if they’re in the early stages of starting to read. The process can sometimes feel overwhelming, whether your child is at home or in school. To simplify, let’s break it down into four essential “P” elements.

In this episode about starting to read, you will learn:

• Phonological Awareness: Think of this as reading with the lights off. It’s about building the foundational skills in your child’s brain that prepare them for reading. Activities like rhyming and breaking words into sounds are crucial. Start early, even from birth, to develop these skills.
• Phonics: Phonics is a methodical approach to teaching reading by connecting sounds with letters. Familiarize yourself with phonemes (units of sound) and graphemes (how they look) to help your child understand the relationships between letters and sounds. Stick to a systematic synthetic phonics program to ensure comprehensive learning.
• Patience: Learning to read takes time, especially in the early stages when your child is sounding out words. Be patient as they navigate this process, even when they take longer to read a word or make mistakes. It’s a gradual journey.
• Purpose: Make reading purposeful for your child. Show them that reading isn’t just about books but a tool for understanding the world. This perspective encourages them to see the importance of reading beyond the confines of stories.

Remember, every child progresses at their own pace, so prioritize the “P” that aligns with where your child is in their starting to read journey.

Links mentioned in this episode about starting to read and write:

• Phonics 101: Quickstart guide (ep 7)
• Help! I taught my child the alphabet song (ep 21) 

Reading Made Delicious Resources to help support you

• Download the ultimate guide to using recipes for learning to read and get started with helping your child. 
• Check out the latest read-to-cook recipes and reading support here

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Send me a DM on Instagram. I love chatting with families (and other educators). So send me your thoughts on the 4Ps and what you might need some help with.

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Ready for more? Listen to these Reading Made Delicious Podcast Episodes next:

• The Top 4 mistakes I have made with helping with child learn to read (ep 31)
• Simple ways to help your child become more confident with reading (ep 36)

Content Disclaimer

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this episode are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this podcast. Sarah Travers disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this episode.