One of the greatest predictors of early reading success is phonological awareness. This simply means that children know spoken words have a definite structure and can be broken down into smaller parts. They also have an awareness of rhythms, rhymes, and things that sound alike.
Chances are you already promote this important skill in your home.
Here are a few things you might be incorporating now if you’re not–give them a try!
Reading or reciting Nursery Rhymes with your child.
Playing the game, “I’m thinking of something..” For example, “I’m thinking of a word that starts with s-s-s-s-s-s. Its home is in the sky. It is bright and helps plants grow. What is it? The sun.”
Sing a rhyming song together such as, “Five Little Monkeys.”
Five little monkeys jumping on the bed,
One fell off and bumped his hear.
Mommy called the doctor
And the doctor said,
“No More monkeys jumping on the bed.”
Clap the syllables in your child’s name or other interesting words.
Substitute the words to favorite songs to words that begin with the same letter. Instead of Old MacDonald having a pig, he has a pigeon.