Want to help your child learn to read? Spencer Russell shares tips beyond the alphabet song
Is your little one just starting out on their reading journey? Luckily, teaching your child to read can be easier than you think.
We recently had the chance to speak with Spencer Russell, an incredible educator using his talents to help millions of families teach their children to read through social media. He shared some helpful insights about how parents, caregivers, and anyone can help little ones learn to read.
Here are a few tips that stood out:
1. Start with letter sounds
Alphabet knowledge—letter names, shapes, and sounds—is one of the foundational skills that lead to reading success. While most of us are familiar with letter names from the ABC song, teaching our children the sounds letters make is particularly important for breaking down and decoding words and learning how to read.
2. Pick a few sounds at a time to master
Start by selecting 2 to 4 new letter sounds to practice at a time. And don’t move on until they’ve mastered them. Breaking down the alphabet into smaller chunks makes learning easier and will help them remember. Kids can learn the alphabet and letter sounds in any order. Try starting with letter sounds they can easily pronounce or enjoy making. Many children like learning letters that are meaningful, like those in their names. And as always, repetition is key!
3. Carefully clip letter sounds
Some letter sounds are tricky to pronounce. For instance, we often want to say 'c' as 'cuh' or 't' as 'tuh.' While this might not seem like a big deal, it can lead to confusion later on when your child encounters words like 'cat' and reads it as 'cah-a-tuh.' As you guide your child, do your best to clip sounds or resist the urge to add that extra ‘uh’ at the end.
4. Phonics can and should be fun
Learning letter sounds doesn’t have to look like drilling flashcards while sitting still at a desk. Children learn best through play, especially at home. Try incorporating letter sounds into the activities and games your child loves. Play the floor is lava with letters on the ground and have your child shout letter sounds as they leap and land. Does your child love to dance? Have a dance party and say letter sounds as you boogie past the alphabet. Turn a game of catch into a learning moment. However you learn together, find little ways to make it joyful.
Most Importantly: You Can Do This!
The most important lesson we took away from our conversation with Spencer Russell is to remember that every parent has the ability to teach their child to read. Regardless of your teaching experience, how much you enjoy reading, or your own experiences in school, you have what it takes to help your child learn to read. And if you ever have questions or need support, remember there are teachers, friends, and organizations like Read by 4th’s many partners who are ready to help you every step of the way.
MORE RESOURCES
Unsure how to pronounce the letter sounds? Check out this FREE app, Letter Sound A-Z available for Android and Apple.
Grab a Philly ABCs poster from your local library and explore letter sounds at phillyabcs.org