I would like to teach my 4 year old how to read what should be my first steps?

Answer 1

Read TO him. Also, look up the Dolce list and make flashcards for him to read. (The Dolce list is a list of words more commonly used in children literature). Once he has some words under his belt, you can start putting them together in sentences. I also encourage helping him make HIS OWN book out of the words he has mastered. It makes reading meaningful and fun. You are then ready to guide him through reading 'baby books'.

Answer 2

When my daughter was 4 I started her out with the alphabet, and little word games that you can buy from Wal-Mart, or even phonics games. At first it was frustrating because she didn't show much interest, but then within a few weeks she started picking up on words and easy three letter spellings. Start slow, once your child shows signs of disinterest, stop, and do something else. Then later try to go back to the reading. The best thing to do is get the pre-K books that help you break reading down to your child's level. Good luck!!

Answer 3

You can start, but no need to push. He needs to know all of his letters and the sounds those letters make. Then just start with words, not stories. Flashcards are great for this. You can make your own. Start with very simple words and teach him to sound them out one letter at a time. They use sight words in school a lot now also. Common words like and, the, etc. Books that show a picture of the what the word is depicting are also good. They can memorize the words. Dr. Seuss' Go Dog Go is a really good book for that.

Answer 4

start by making sure your child knows their alphabet in upper and lower case. Then go with the letter sounds. I bought the DVDs made by leap frog that also has songs and are fun for the kids to watch. there are also activities for them at the end of the movies. the names are like code word factory, letter factory and one that does books. also when i read with my kids (now just my daughter), i point to the words when i read them. there are also books at the library or you can buy them that are different reading levels. one type is words for a specific sound or letter and the other is level 1, 2, 3 and 4 reading. level one has few word and repeats alot. level 2 has a few more and so on. there are also books in sets that are called phonic books that deal with certain vowel sounds in each book. also have your child start repeating "sight" words like the, and, with, of, etc... and once they repeat them several time, point to the words and have them say it instead of you in the stories. there are also many games or you can make up your own. i made up my own bingo game and memory game using sight words from the books they love. the most important thing is not to push your child and make it fun and interesting.

Answer 5

Are you reading books to the child already? If not, start reading them to the child! And, please, don't push it. Age 5 is good too. Does your child know the alphabet? The best way to teach a child how to read, is to start with reading to the child. Show the pages of the book to the child. As you read, and you are showing the page(s) to your child, use your index (first) finger of your free hand, and as you say each word, place your finger under that word. I have found that phonics is the best way to teach a child how to read. Knowing their vowels, etc. helps a lot. Then, sounding each letter, with different words, like: elephant/giraffe, etc. The ph sound is like the f sound. So, unless you are a teacher by profession, please stick with just pointing to each word as you read it in a book to your child. In fact, usually kindergarten is when a child first learns how to read. So age 4 yrs. is kind of on the young side. Please relax, the child will do fine in school. And, believe, me, there are plenty of years of school ahead for your child. You can still point to each word as you read to your child, but other than that, please relax. And, please do that NOT with every book, every time you read it to your child, but occasionally. Also, a good way to teach your child how good it is to read, is by example. Letting that child see you read once in awhile is good too. Your own stuff. For a few minutes here and there-I am sure you are a busy parent with a 4 yr old! I am glad you want to teach your child how to read. Our mother believed very strongly in education, and reading is a vital part of that. Enjoy reading to your child! It is fun! Even reading the same story 2 or 3 times in a row-even as you finish the book, and they want to hear it again, right then! I'm glad to hear how you care about your child. I can tell by your wanting to teach your child how to read. I wish you are your child the best. Take care.

Answer 6

My daughter was reading at 3. I had read her lots of books. Disney sing along movies helped too. I never really sat down with her and tried to teach her how to read. She just learned. We were sitting in a doctors office one day, she picked up Green Eggs and Ham and started reading it to me. She's 12 now and I can't get her nose out of the books.

Answer 7

Start with sight words. I know that has helped me a lot. You can go to this web site called Super Duper and they have a lot of educational items. I also made flash cards with the sight words and I would have my son repeat it back to me with the spelling of the word by writing it down, verbalizing the word out loud, and I would also have him to recognize the word in a book. You can make short sentences with the sight words and have your child read the sentence outloud then gradually add new words to your list. Also start with a short sentence book. The library has plenty of beginner books.

Answer 8

my daughter is four also..and i must say i started reading to her when she was just a baby..and now she loves books..she doesnt quite know how to read fully..but when i started to teach her..i would read to her and let her spell the simple words first..i.e. eyes..so..on..no..now..all..stop...dora..you know like two - three letter words..now she has it memorize..so when i am reading to her i say the big words and then when i come to a word she knows i let her read it..then she says to me mommy i am reading..yes you are baby..she feels proud..also like i would write the words she knows in a sentnce i.e...so i do to but i can..it doesnt make sense but i let her get a feel for the words..so my advice start with simple words

Answer 9

Start reading to him first.

Answer 10

After the alphabet, which I am sure he knows by now, I would start with letter sounds.