A word about reading...
I have had a few parents come see me in recent weeks with questions about reading. I wondered if other parents had the same questions and thought I'd take the opportunity to share a few things.
In kindergarten we talk a lot about emergent reading. Basically the children are learning a number of reading skills that will help prepare them for the more formal reading lessons in grade one. By the end of kindergarten the children should know the letters of the alphabet, know many of their sounds and recognize a few well known words (e.g. Mom and Dad).
Some kindergarten children do know all their letters, but may mix up b's and d's or other letters that appear similar. That isn't very unusual at this age, and it's okay to help your child out.
Over the years, good readers learn a number of strategies to help them read. Already, through the Home Reading Program, the kindergartren children are beginning to learn a few of these strategies. Good readers look at the pictures for clues. Good readers recognize patterns in stories. Good readers use these patterns to predict what will happen. Good readers can talk about a story.
So even if your child isn't "reading" in the standard sense he or she is putting together a strong foundation to become a reader. That is what reading in kindergarten is all about!
Enjoy cuddling up with your child and reading stories together. The time for cuddling is precious and goes by so quickly. Your child will read when she or he is ready. It may be now or it may be in grade one. Let's just keep building those foundations together as your child grows.
In kindergarten we talk a lot about emergent reading. Basically the children are learning a number of reading skills that will help prepare them for the more formal reading lessons in grade one. By the end of kindergarten the children should know the letters of the alphabet, know many of their sounds and recognize a few well known words (e.g. Mom and Dad).
Some kindergarten children do know all their letters, but may mix up b's and d's or other letters that appear similar. That isn't very unusual at this age, and it's okay to help your child out.
Over the years, good readers learn a number of strategies to help them read. Already, through the Home Reading Program, the kindergartren children are beginning to learn a few of these strategies. Good readers look at the pictures for clues. Good readers recognize patterns in stories. Good readers use these patterns to predict what will happen. Good readers can talk about a story.
So even if your child isn't "reading" in the standard sense he or she is putting together a strong foundation to become a reader. That is what reading in kindergarten is all about!
Enjoy cuddling up with your child and reading stories together. The time for cuddling is precious and goes by so quickly. Your child will read when she or he is ready. It may be now or it may be in grade one. Let's just keep building those foundations together as your child grows.