What do I do if my child doesn’t know a sound when we are reading together?

by | Jan 19, 2021 | Children, COVID-19, Education, Elementary School, English, Homeschool, Parenting, Reading | 0 comments

Since the structure of school has changed due to COVID-19, many parents are spending a lot more time teaching reading to our young students and struggling readers. A question that has come up over and over again is, “What do I do if my child doesn’t know a sound when we are reading together?” Often, we want to jump right in and tell them the sound to avoid embarrassment or continue moving along. However, if you are reading with your child for instructional purposes, this approach is not likely to help them remember the sound next time. Instead try this:

     1. Ask a Question

If they are struggling with the letter M, say something like, “What does the letter M say?”.

     2. Wait

This is the really challenging part! After asking the question, wait for 30 seconds to a minute to give children time to process your question, locate the answer and respond. Studies show that even teachers only wait an average of 1.5 seconds after asking a question, but longer wait times produce better academic outcomes. Once they are given a little more time to think, children may come up with the answer. Then they can proceed to sound out the word.  If you wait and they don’t come up with anything, or if they tell you an incorrect sound for M, move on to step 3.

     3. Look up the Sound

We want students to feel a sense of ownership and agency over their own learning. To accomplish this, students can make their own Picture, Keyword, Sound Dictionary. Here is an example and a link to a template that you can use:

letter a practice worksheet

Download Complete Letter Dictionary Worksheets

Students create a picture clue linked to a keyword that helps them remember the sound. So, if they don’t know a sound, they can just look it up.

 

By using this method, even young students have a way to become more self-regulated in their learning. Instead of being provided with the answer, they have everything that they need to find the answer on their own. Over time, this self-sufficiency will help them to gain confidence in not only their reading but in their ability to solve their own academic problems.

                                       ~Nina

Nina Parrish, M. Ed.

Nina Parrish, M. Ed.

Co-Owner and Director of Education

Proud mom of two adorable girls. Teacher who has developed an education business that started at a kitchen table and has grown into a thriving small business... Click here to Learn more about Nina.

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Pam Cantrell Burton
Pam Cantrell Burton
2020-10-14T16:15:51+0000
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Marijayne Kruus
2020-05-11T21:51:37+0000
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Wendy Zelazny
2018-06-08T02:05:15+0000
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Anne Kater Reeves
Anne Kater Reeves
2018-06-07T22:46:05+0000
I highly recommend Parrish Learning Zone. My daughter was able to achieve the SAT score she was aiming for with the help of her Math (Mr. James Slane) and English (Mrs. Lauren Cannavo) tutors. Not only did they help her with practice tests but they also boosted her confidence in taking the SAT. The owners (Nina and Jay) were always prompt in answering my emails. They are very accommodating and worked around my daughter’s schedule (thank you Shiela for all your help in finding available dates for my daughter to meet with her tutors). Thank you Parrish Learning Zone for helping my daughter achieve her goal!
Beth Yankovich
Beth Yankovich
2018-03-23T20:29:18+0000
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Beth Kent
2017-11-08T18:59:11+0000
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Michele Hiltbrunner Freemyers
2017-03-14T15:53:50+0000
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Tammy Elms Mosco
2016-06-02T12:20:59+0000
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Angela Jackson
2014-05-15T00:39:39+0000
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Andrew Powers
2014-02-09T12:32:29+0000

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