Unraveling the Magic of Phonics: 5 Simple Reasons Why Phonics Helps Struggling Readers
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by Mary Follin
If your child is struggling with reading, you're most likely experiencing anxiety about it. Reading is fundamental to every subject in school (and in life!), and as you watch your child struggle, you're probably telling yourself: "I've got to do something about this before it's too late. But what?"
I would encourage you to start with a physical checkup—eyes, ability to focus, learning challenges, and overall health. But once that's all clear, the next thing to do is make sure your child has been taught to read with a direct-instruction, phonics-based approach. If your child hasn't learned how to read with a systematic phonics-based approach, that's good news. Phonics is easy to teach and easy to learn; even non-reading adults can quickly learn to read once they've been taught the code of the English language. So, what's the deal with phonics? Let's dive right in and uncover why it's easier to teach struggling readers with this seemingly 'magical' approach. |
Struggling readers learn better with phonics.
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STRUGGLING READERS CAN CRACK THE CODE WITH PHONICS
Picture this: you're faced with a bunch of jumbled letters on a page, and your brain's like, "What on earth do these mean?!" That's where phonics comes in. Phonics helps your child crack the code by showing them the secret connection between letters and their sounds. (Tell your child it's a decoding superpower!) Once your child understands these letter-sound combos, they can read any word, no matter how strange it looks.
For struggling readers, this is a game-changer. They often get stuck on words and feel like they're navigating a maze without a map. But with phonics, it's like they've got a treasure map in hand, guiding them through their reading adventure. Instead of guessing or getting frustrated, they become word wizards, confidently unlocking the meaning of each word they encounter.
For struggling readers, this is a game-changer. They often get stuck on words and feel like they're navigating a maze without a map. But with phonics, it's like they've got a treasure map in hand, guiding them through their reading adventure. Instead of guessing or getting frustrated, they become word wizards, confidently unlocking the meaning of each word they encounter.
SMOOTH SAILING WITH READING FLUENCY
Ever noticed how some people read like they're gliding on a smooth sea while others stumble and fumble over every word? Well, that's what we call reading fluency. Phonics is the secret ingredient that helps struggling readers sail through the sometimes choppy waters of fluency.
Once your child knows their letter sounds like the back of their hand, reading becomes effortless. They won't have to pause and ponder over every word. Instead, they can focus on the story and enjoy it! For struggling readers, this is a breath of fresh air; it boosts their confidence and makes reading feel less like a chore and more like a delightful pastime.
Once your child knows their letter sounds like the back of their hand, reading becomes effortless. They won't have to pause and ponder over every word. Instead, they can focus on the story and enjoy it! For struggling readers, this is a breath of fresh air; it boosts their confidence and makes reading feel less like a chore and more like a delightful pastime.
THE WORD TREASURE TROVE: VOCABULARY EXPANSION
Imagine you're in a foreign land, and you only know a handful of words. Tricky, right? Well, that's how struggling readers feel when they have a limited vocabulary. But here's the good news: phonics is like a magic potion that expands a child's treasury of words.
Through phonics, struggling readers learn to analyze words. They start to recognize patterns and understand word meanings based on their sounds. It's like unlocking the secrets of language. As they delve deeper into this word wonderland, their vocabulary blooms like a beautiful garden in spring. Suddenly, they have more words at their disposal, and the world of reading becomes much more colorful and exciting.
Through phonics, struggling readers learn to analyze words. They start to recognize patterns and understand word meanings based on their sounds. It's like unlocking the secrets of language. As they delve deeper into this word wonderland, their vocabulary blooms like a beautiful garden in spring. Suddenly, they have more words at their disposal, and the world of reading becomes much more colorful and exciting.
SPELL LIKE A PRO
Spelling can feel like uncharted territory if you don't know what you're doing. But here's the thing: phonics is like having a spelling cheat code. When struggling readers grasp the relationship between letters and sounds, they learn to spell like pros.
Think about it – if you know how to say a word, you can spell it too! That's the power of phonics. By breaking down words into their sounds, struggling readers can piece together the right combination of letters. It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, and when you see the complete picture, you feel like you've accomplished something.
Phonics makes spelling less of a nightmare and more of a fun challenge to conquer.
Think about it – if you know how to say a word, you can spell it too! That's the power of phonics. By breaking down words into their sounds, struggling readers can piece together the right combination of letters. It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, and when you see the complete picture, you feel like you've accomplished something.
Phonics makes spelling less of a nightmare and more of a fun challenge to conquer.
BOOSTING CONFIDENCE AND SPARKING MOTIVATION IN STRUGGLING READERS
Imagine you're climbing a steep mountain and every step feels like a struggle. You'd probably want to give up, right? Well, that's most likely how your struggling reader often feels—reading is like climbing an insurmountable peak. By introducing phonics, you are offering your child a magical dose of confidence and motivation.
As they learn to read using phonics, struggling readers experience small wins along the way; each word they decode successfully is a victory. And with every triumph, their confidence soars higher. Rather than convincing themselves they're 'no good' at reading, they begin to believe in themselves and their reading abilities.
Phonics is like a superhero that swoops in to help struggling readers conquer the world of reading. Sound like an exxageration? It's not. Once a struggling reader learns the code, the transformation is often very fast. Try it with your child, and you'll see what I mean. Phonics cracks the reading code, smooths out fluency, expands vocabulary, improves spelling, and boosts confidence and motivation. If your child is one of the thousands of struggling readers out there, phonics is like having a reading coach that makes learning a fun and magical adventure. And to answer your questions: "What should I do about it?" Teach your child phonics!
Photo credits: Pexels
As they learn to read using phonics, struggling readers experience small wins along the way; each word they decode successfully is a victory. And with every triumph, their confidence soars higher. Rather than convincing themselves they're 'no good' at reading, they begin to believe in themselves and their reading abilities.
Phonics is like a superhero that swoops in to help struggling readers conquer the world of reading. Sound like an exxageration? It's not. Once a struggling reader learns the code, the transformation is often very fast. Try it with your child, and you'll see what I mean. Phonics cracks the reading code, smooths out fluency, expands vocabulary, improves spelling, and boosts confidence and motivation. If your child is one of the thousands of struggling readers out there, phonics is like having a reading coach that makes learning a fun and magical adventure. And to answer your questions: "What should I do about it?" Teach your child phonics!
Photo credits: Pexels
Looking for a phonics program for struggling readers?
Teach Your Child to Read™ is a great program for 1st and 2nd graders who are struggling. Try it free for 7 days!
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Founder and creator Mary Follin started her career as a systems engineer with IBM. In that capacity, she wrote software manuals to help make complex systems easy to understand and use. Over the course of her career, she has worked in product development, product innovation, market research, and marketing consulting. Beyond creating Teach Your Child to Read™, she is also the author of Ethyr, winner of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award and the Gertrude Warner Book Award, and a regular contributor to DailyMom.com on the subject of children's literacy. Mary also writes, along with Erika Guerrero, a feature column in Fredericksburg Parent & Family. Titled ASK MOM, the column offers parenting advice and was recognized by the Parenting Media Association with a 2021 award.
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