08-01-2022
Help Your Child Practice Decoding Words
In order to read, children must learn what sounds letters and letter combinations make. For example, m makes the first sound in the word me.
Then they must use that knowledge to decode—or figure out—written words. Children decode a word by sounding out each of its letters. Then they blend the sounds together.
To help your child improve decoding skills:
- Point to a new word. Touch each letter from left to right, saying its sound. Then say all the sounds together to pronounce the word. For example, d-o-g blends to make dog.
- Play word games. Write words on index cards. Take turns selecting a card and decoding the word. Make a sentence using the word.
- Look at food packages in your pantry. See if your child can sound out words on the labels: t-u-n-a, p-e-a-s, etc. Or have your child sound out the words on your grocery list.
- Have a treasure hunt. Write words on slips of paper and hide them throughout your house. Then have your child find the slips and decode the words. For a reward, read a story together.
Brought to you by:
West Point Consolidated School District
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