There are a number of reasons why teaching your child to read and spell using phonics is vital. Not only does it improve spelling and reading skills, but it also helps bridge the gap between reading and writing. Moreover, learning to read aloud is essential for children to develop an appreciation of reading and writing. Read on to discover the many benefits of teaching your child phonics.
Listed below are just a few of the many benefits.
Explicit phonics instruction is more effective than non-systematic or no phonics instruction
A systematic approach to phonics instruction helps children learn how to sound out new words and blend them with known ones. A systematic approach begins with the simplest letter-sound relationship and builds on that as the student grows. The next step in phonics instruction is adding more complex vowel combinations. Systematic phonics instruction allows students to learn the sounds of words and build fluency in reading and writing.
It improves spelling ability
Research shows that children who learn phonics have much better spelling than those who don’t. Children who learn phonics are usually good readers, and reading and spelling share many similarities. The key difference is that phonics focuses on words that children know well, while reading develops the ability to decode new words. Phonics helps children develop reading comprehension, and by the end of early education, half of all English words are spelled by using phonics rules.
It helps bridge the gap between reading and writing
Reading and writing are closely connected skills and the mastery of both will help children to become strong readers and writers. Phonics helps bridge the gap between reading and writing because it builds general thinking skills. It also increases students’ reading fluency, which means they can recognize familiar words and sound out new ones with less effort. The benefits of phonics education are many, and they are well worth the investment.
It helps children learn to read out loud
The science of reading recommends that explicit instruction is crucial for the development of decoding skills. Children who do not receive proper phonics instruction will have difficulty decoding words and may even feel burdened when they do so. The phonics approach, which involves the decoding of words, helps children understand how to associate letter sounds and words with the sounds they produce. Children can practice decoding by looking for written material around them and attempting to write words themselves. It helps children practice reading out loud by helping them focus on words they hear on a regular basis.
It helps them write their own sentences
If you want your child to start writing their own sentences, there are several activities they can do to practice their skills. A good example is the spaghetti and meatballs exercise. Your child will pair items from the list to create a complete sentence. The more they practice, the easier it will be for them to write their own sentences. Practicing this skill will help your child build a strong foundation in writing.
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