Is "Sounding Out the Words" the Best Strategy to Use?

How many times were you told as a child to sound it out? Most of us don't remember how we learned to read. Thank goodness we have elementary teachers who took classes on this very subject. How should you help your child when they come to a word they do not know?

1. Remember they are reading for meaning. Sometimes it's just to enjoy. Other times it's for information. Either way, understanding and enjoying reading at home are the main goals. You (the parent/guardian) are not allowed to get frustrated. Keep it light. 

2. Give them a little bit of wait time. If they are trying to work through the unknown word, let them. They may surprise you. Feel free to praise them for working it out.

3. After time has passed if the unknown word is a name, ask them, "Is it James or insert name from story here?" Make it an obvious difference like Rick or Jayden.

4. If it's not a name, decide if the word is one they can decode (sound out) or if it is one they just have to know.

• Words you just have to know: the, said, country
• Words that can be decoded: sat, in, morning, sister, evaporation

5. If it is a word that can't be decoded or they've never learned the sounds in the word (Example: sounds in "enough" at the beginning of first grade), and there are no clues in the picture, give them two choices. Once again make it obvious: "Is it give or receive?" 

6. If there are clues in the picture, say something like "What could you look at to help you?" or "I'm going to check out the picture to figure out that word." 

7. If it is a word that can be decoded, look at the spelling pattern together. Some examples of what to say:

• Look that word has an "at" like in cat or that word reminds me of cat. 
• The "e" in that word says /e/ like in bed.
• That's a long word. Let's separate it together. e-vap-or-a-tion

8. If all else fails, give two options: a correct and incorrect option. You are still making them work, but making it less stressful. 

If you find you are using too many of these strategies and it is taking too long to read a book, that book is too difficult for your child to read independently right now. Have you and your child finish the book by reading the words at the exact same time. We call it choral reading. A chorus sings at the same time. We read at the same time. Stay positive. Find one good thing to say about their reading even if it is just about their effort. 

If it's a book the teacher sent home for your child to read, talk to the teacher about what you are noticing when your child reads. Tell her what you tried and that you finished the book by reading it together. If it's one that your child picked from the library or you picked out, read the book to your child and enjoy it together. They can help you read some of the words and talk (laugh, ask questions, etc) about it with you. Reading shouldn't be frustrating. 

Was this helpful? Do you have questions or another issue? Let's talk. Drop a comment, PM me on FB, or email me.