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Teaching Reading with Phonics Activities and the Guided Reading Process

It can be difficult for the parents to find the best strategy to for teaching reading. You have to choose good plans for teaching reading very carefully, whether your child is just learning her ABC's or having difficulty with the reading comprehension or fluency. Phonics activities can be very useful for you; Phonics activities include an approach to reading that ties the letters of the alphabet as well as letter combinations to their respective sounds. Combining these letter-sound connections with guided reading instruction has been found very successful. The guided reading allows you to teach to your child’s needs, and correct mistakes as they progress.

There are numerous tools available which can assist you in teaching reading, educational software is one of these tools. Educational computer games are available that allow students to practice decoding and encoding skills (reading and writing) as well as test their understanding. While these programs do not replace daily guided reading with a parent or instructor, they supplement your child’s education and keep them excited about learning.

If you are planning on teaching reading to your child, it is a good idea to have a strong understanding of the guided reading process. Once your child has mastered basic phonics activities, knowing their letter-sound connections, and beginning to blend sounds together, then you may begin the process. It is really a simple strategy of having your child read aloud or whisper read as you follow along. This gives you the opportunity to take note of the type of mistakes your child is making regularly. As your child reads, stop at regular intervals to instruct is the areas of weakness and check for comprehension. These daily sessions of reading and reviewing mistakes will also give you information on what skills need to be reviewed and taught directly to improve your child’s reading.