Our Journey into Early Literacy
As a parent, watching your child learn and grow is one of the most rewarding experiences. Recently, I embarked on an exciting journey of teaching my toddler to read. At just 2.5 years old, my daughter has shown a remarkable attention span and curiosity, making this the perfect time to dive into early literacy.
Here’s how we’re making learning to read a fun and engaging process, with some power-packed tips for other parents looking to teach their kids to read.
Oh and ps. Check out the link at the bottom for a FREE 5-day Learn-to-Read Workshop Event!!
Start with Short, Focused Lessons
Understanding that toddlers have limited attention spans, I started with really short 5-minute letter lessons. These brief sessions ensure that my daughter stays engaged without feeling overwhelmed. Each lesson goes pretty much like this: Introduce letter/sound, practice the sound together (listen and repeat), show the letter in different ways (with pictures and words), and do a little activity/game to practice.
Letter Name and Sound Recognition
The foundation of our lessons is simple: learning the letter name and sound. We begin by saying the letter name and sound together multiple times. Repetition is key at this stage, as it helps reinforce the connection between the letter and its sound. I have her pay attention to my mouth and what shapes it makes. For instance, if we’re learning the letter "B", we say “B” and “b” sound several times together, and she can see that my lips touch while making the sound. Doing the letter name and sound has ALWAYS worked for my students, and it seems to be working very well with my toddler. That said, a few other educators prefer just to teach the letter sound, when teaching how to read. This definitely has its benefits, as your child will focus only on the sound, which is the only thing needed, when reading. I spend a good deal of time on an individual letter, so I have found children very able to grasp with the sound and name at one time.
Incorporating Words with the Letter
To build on the basic letter recognition, we incorporate words that start with the letter we’re learning. This helps my daughter understand the practical use of the letter and starts building her vocabulary. For example, with the letter "B", we might say and look at pictures of a “ball”, “bat”, and “banana”. This contextual learning makes the process more relatable and engaging for her.
Interactive Letter Recognition Activities
One of our favourite activities is the search and circle exercise. White boards are great for this, as pretty much every child finds them super fun. You could also use paper though! I write out all different letters on the board (including the one we are focusing on), and my daughter searches for the target letter and circles it. Each time she finds and circles the letter, she says the sound and letter name out loud. This activity not only reinforces letter recognition but also adds a tactile element to the learning process, making it more interactive and fun. Try using different coloured markers! Alternatively, you could use stickers on paper and have your child place a sticker on the letter you are working on! I will go over lots of different activity ideas, to help with practice, in future posts, so be sure to follow on Instagram to get notified!
Starting with Familiar Letters
We began our reading journey with the letters in her name. My husband has this cute little chant he has be doing for her since birth. He says the letter and makes the letter, with his arms. Then says, "what does that spell", and then says her name. She still LOVES this. She already knew the letters in her name, by two, because of this! This personal connection made it easier and more meaningful for her. As she grew more confident, we expanded to other letters she encountered in the real world, such as those on signs, in books, or on packaging. This real-world exposure has naturally piqued her interest and familiarity with various letters.
Building on Natural Curiosity and Attention Span
My daughter’s attention span and natural curiosity have been great assets in this learning process. Seeing her enthusiasm, I decided to delve deeper into more structured lessons. Her ability to stay focused for longer periods, allows us to explore more complex activities and expand our learning sessions gradually.
Progress and Future Plans
It’s been amazing to witness my daughter's progress so far. From recognizing letters in her name to identifying letters in the environment, she’s making great strides. As we continue, I plan to introduce more complex phonics and eventually move on to simple word recognition and reading. The journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to see how her reading skills develop over time.
Tips for Other Parents Teaching their Toddlers to Read
1. Start Early but Keep It Fun: Introduce letters and sounds in a playful manner to keep your toddler engaged.
2. Short and Frequent Lessons: Keep lessons short, but consistent. Daily 5-minute sessions can be very effective.
3. Use Real-World Exposure: Point out letters in everyday environments to reinforce learning.
4. Interactive Activities: Incorporate hands-on activities like search and circle to make learning more dynamic. Use paint, sidewalk chalk, picture cards... the list goes on. I'll go into more detail with examples, in future posts!
5. Build on Familiarity: Start with letters that have personal significance, like those in your child’s name.
Teaching my toddler to read has been a fulfilling experience, combining the joy of spending quality time together with the satisfaction of seeing her learn new skills. By keeping lessons short, interactive, and relevant, we’re laying a strong foundation for her future reading journey. I’m excited to continue this adventure and share more tips and experiences with other parents along the way. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for more tips and tricks!
PS. If you are interested in having your child try out some of my lessons, then be sure to sign up QUICKLY for our FREE 5-day Learn-to-Read Workshop!! There are limited spots due to the LIVE lesson component! Sign up soon here!
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