There are many approaches to reading and the debate is between the whole versus the part learning. I have found the teachers have to find a medium between teaching phonics first which is called the "bottom up" approach. Children begin to learn the names, shapes and letters in the alphabet. After learning the letters in the alphabet, they begin to learn consonant sounds, which is then followed by more complex vowel correspondence sounds. This type of learning helps children to break up complex words. Another approach is teaching children to read by looking at familiar words. This way to teaching children to read is called the "top down" approach.
I think the best way to teach children to read is to use both approaches. Incorporating phonics and sight words together will help children develop sounds as well as new ways to look at words in reading books.
I have found that in teaching literacy is is necessary to use open-ended querstions with children. Children need to be in a classrom where the atmosphere promotes an environment of learning. Ask children questions about the story, and how they feel about what is going on in the story.
Parents can be a part of this literacy learning by reading books that encourage children to be active listeners. As children begin the process of listening, as open ended questions such as ""Where and when does the story take place?", Can they create a different ending to the story?, "What do they think is the main idea of the story?".
Computers are a great resource for teaching phonics to children also. They provide opportunities for children to work independently or in small groups.
Gunning, T.G. (2004). Teaching Literacy Instruction for All Children in Grades Pre-K to 4
Cooper, D.J. ( 2000). Literacy: Helping Children Construct Meaning.
Y. Tuitt
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