We have been doing LOTS of reading in Kindergarten, and I think everyone has become a master of using their Eagle Eyes to help them read pictures! Practice makes perfect, so we are using all our guided reading books to help us build fluency and stamina.
While those Eagle Eyes can definitely help us out when we read, it is time for us to spend a little more time thinking about the letters and the sounds in the words we read. The first step to successfully reading new words is to increase letter sound fluency. Using flash cards and/or alphabet magnets is a great way to practice letter sounds. You can also take a little time to help your child listen for and isolate sounds in words. Questions like "what sound to you hear at the beginning of the cat" and "what letter would you expect to see at the beginning of the word ball" will reinforce the relationship between letters, sounds, and written words.
Once your child is confident with letters and sounds they are ready to read more words more independently using the Lips the Fish Strategy!
When you come to an unknown word, stop and get your lips ready to make the beginning sound. Once you have made the appropriate beginning sound, check the picture for words and/or actions that begin with that sound. Make sure the word you pick makes sense in your sentence, and continue to read!
So, next time you read with your child, practice getting your lips ready to make a sound like Lips the Fish. Have your child help you scan the pictures to determine unknown words.
Happy Reading!
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