What´s the best way to teach reading and writing to my 8 year-old?

Question

I have a 8 year-old boy, and I´d like to know what´s the best way to teach him how to read and write. Is it buy flash card, pc software educational games, what could I do to help him understand the sound of each word and letter?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Because of the information you gave in your previous question, I know that your son has significant speech and language delays. Based on this information, I would suggest that you not rely only on phonetics based instruction. Lots of kids who are delayed in speech and language have a very difficult time with phonics - first with learning the sounds associated with the different consonants, vowels, blends, digraphs, etc., and then with the ability to fluently merge those sounds into a word. It's a very complex process that depends largely on skills that are delayed in your son.

I highly recommend a sight vocabulary approach to reading for children who do not have strengths in speech and language. In a sight vocabulary program, the child learns to look at a word and say it, not to sound it out. As a special education teacher, I use multiple approaches to reading instruction, dependent on the abillities of the particular child, and I have specifically found the Edmark Reading Program to be very successful with many kids who could not benefit from a phonics-based approach. (Type Edmark Reading Program into a search engine and you will find lots of info and sources to purchase the program if you are interested.) The child learns one new word at a time in a very systematic way. In just a few lessons, the child is reading short sentences such as "I see a horse." The activities also give practice in reading comprehension, so the child is not just saying the words aloud but also demonstrates that he understands the meaning of the words. I can't tell you how many times I have had a joyful child say something like, "Listen to this! I can read!" It really helps kids think of themselves as successful readers, which is a big part of the process.

I would still encourage phonics-based activities, because a truly fluent reader needs to be able to sound words out. And you can do it in lots of fun ways; I have collected boxes of different items that begin with different letters/ sounds; for example, our B Box contains things like Batman, bicycle, bird, bandaid, basketball, Barney, backpack, Blue (from Blue's Clues), etc. Then we play games with them, such as "I'm thinking of a B word. This is something that people read. There are many of them in the library. It's a ...." and then the child supplies the word "book."

And of course keep reading to him for pleasure. Computer games are also great. But I highly recommend that you focus your reading instruction on a sight vocabulary approach. Edmark really works for kids with learning disabilities and language delays.

Answer 2

I think the best way to teach a child to read and write is to try many different methods and see how he responds.

PC software and educational games are great, but they do not give you one to one time with them. They are colorful, funny, and can move as quickly as your child which is great.

Reading to them and showing them the words is a great way to spend quality time with them. If you are a working parent, however, you may not always be aournd to do such.

Try to find ways to incorporate reading and writing that don't appear like "learning". Writing a letter to a grandparent (maybe "dictate" the letter while you are washing dishes. Your boy will enjoy "helping" mom with a task you were "too busy" to do, and will get skills at the same time.) When you go shopping, ask him to pick out the can that reads "peaches" talk about the sounds.

My daughter with anxiety does much better when there is no pressure to learn. She learns something but doesn't realize she is doing it. The most important thing, I believe, is to see what strageties your son responds to best and use them. Each child is unique. Tailor your apporoach to match him.

Answer 3

there are many ways such as get Vtechs new system ,have the child make a story and write it in book form attached with pictures Family dollars sell alot of fundamentals. speaknplay laughnlearn and a bowl of broccoli&carrots with sauted boneless chicken pinnapple buttercream sauce finish your own meal I'm eatin already

Answer 4

The Leap pad is a wonderful tool. There are also computer games like Reader Rabbit.

Answer 5

try an interactive educational PC game like Micky's preschool or something like that... he'll have fun while reading

Answer 6

Actually reading with them and having them pratice writing with workbooks.

Answer 7

let him read every night before he goes to bed in addition to making him right whatever he read in his ovn words

Answer 8

Read to him and show him the page while you read.

Answer 9

You should check with his school teachers and ask how you can help at home.