How to teach phonics is something every mother who wants to teach their child to read should know.
The first thing you need to do is get your child some flash cards with all the phonics sounds on them. It helps to buy the flash cards with the pictures on them to teach the phonics sounds because it is easier for the child to associate the letter symbol with the sound from the picture. At first you will just be using the flashcards with the sounds of the alphabet on them, but as your child masters those sounds, you will need flashcards for the blends, diagrams, double vowel sounds, and r controlled vowel sounds.
Don't try to teach more than one phonics sound a day (unless you are teaching vowel sounds). You can even spend a whole week on each phonics sound if you choose. (Ideas on some really Fabulous ways to cement the phonics sounds in their little brains later.)
So once you have your flash cards and your child who is eager to learn, simply show them the flash card with the picture on it. Say the letter sound and say the name of the picture, then have them say it. Have them say the sound and the name of the picture several times. Repetition is key! Then think of other words together that make the sound of the letter you are teaching.
For example, show the flash card with the letter 'A' on it with the picture of the Apple to your child. Say, "This letter says, 'a a Apple.' Now you say it, 'a a Apple.' Let's think of some words that start with the 'a' sound. Alligator, Ants, Animal."
After you have reviewed a letter over several days or a week with your child, cover up the picture and make them say it without "cheating." You want to make sure you are really teaching them the phonics sounds and that they are associating the sound with the letter symbol and not just looking at the picture for help.
The next step is to Review, Review, Review as you continue to teach new phonics sounds to your child. You don't want all your hard work to go to waste, so you need to review the phonics sounds you have already taught - ideally every day. I know that won't always be possible, so just make your best effort to review the phonics you have already taught as much as you can until your child definitely knows them.
As soon as they have mastered enough sounds to begin reading short words, get them reading! Children love to be able to read by themselves! Even if it is only short single vowel words at first!
Now, children learn to read by reading. That sounds like common sense, but there are so many programs out there that NEVER have the child reading out of a book! I know it sounds crazy, but it's true! I love the idea of a child being taught phonics by reading a real book that he/she wants to read and is excited about reading! Instead, so many programs have children reading boring sentences out of a work book with non-existent or poorly drawn pictures and boring story lines! No wonder you may have a child who is not motivate to learn to read!
So basically how to teach phonics boils down to some flash cards, a little patience, and some wonderful children's books on your child's reading level. What better gift to give your child than a love for reading!
