Phonic Awareness and Teaching Guides For Young Children

In preparation of reading comprehension activitydistraction or over-emphasis on a word or words
books created for children and then onwardor letter units.
transmission/submission to various organisationsIt has been demonstrated that these distractions
or for free availability as downloads on varioustherefore interfere with the formation of correct
websites an inordinate amount of time is spentreading habits, and that they can largely be
researching age-appropriate content for children.eliminated or reduced through proper presentation
This same principle applies to the formal educationof new material and through carefully constructed
system.exercises which lead the child to first recognise
The public domain resources available on theand read the sentence as a whole - afterwards
internet today are an excellent source ofbreaking it up into its separate words.
materials with which to begin one's research, andIt is suggested that each new step, i.e. learning
to source age appropriate material with which towords, making phrases and then learning the
educate young children by way of readingwhole sentence, be developed and practiced by
comprehension. One soon realises that there isthe educator first. Further practice may be gained
little difference between early education and thatfrom the development pages in the workbooks,
of today - schools are man-made. Homeprior to reading the entire "story" in which these
Education has been around since the beginning ofpreliminary or preparatory steps have their
time!application.
The words and terms utilised when compilingChildren should at first be exposed to the "look
these books should not be outside the generaland say" portions of workbooks, prior to actually
vocabulary of any child in the normal environment.reading the story and the preliminary phonic work,
The content of the books that are supplied toi.e. the individual words and phrases, should be
children for educational or leusire purposes shoulddeveloped independently in a child's first "look and
be based on the usual experiences of childhoodsay" primer. In this event we make extensive use
and prove to be full of vivid meaning for children.of the "220 Dolch words" being the 220 most
Recognising the eye as a highly important agent incommon used words learnt by children from
the reading process, it is feasible that in view ofprimer to Grade 3 level. Of course this varies
studies and research, a plan of presentation offrom country to country and culture to culture,
sentences and phrases intended to develop focalbut the basics remain the same.
fields, wider perception plans, and eye sweepsIn all activities it is imperative that the child be
(from left to right) and to reduce to the bareallowed to develop at their own pace and that the
minimum eye-pauses and eye-regressions.learning activity be a fun and interactive activity.
Much slow, hesitant and uncomprehending readingThis serves to encourage a more enthusiastic
has been shown to be due to a mechanicalapproach to learning in this manner.