Here you’ll read all about How We Taught Our 3-year Old to read (and Why it Worked for Us). Before I dive into this topic, I hope that if you are reading this you are hopeful to teach your little one(s) to read. With just 10 min a day of dedicated “study” time and being intentional about what our children are hearing and watching. We were able to equip her with the skill to read. But before making this happen, we had to first believe our child was capable of learning this life skill.
We also had to choose to make sure teaching was a fun experience and a life giving one. Not something that felt stressful or like she would be punished if she wasn’t succeeding. Essentially this requires more of you as a parent, emotionally, mentally and spiritually than your child. I believed our daughter had the ability to learn to read and I had to be devoted to that belief and patient with her as she learned. So if you are ready to step into this season of parenting keep reading!
Why to teach your little one to read, EARLY!
CONFIDENCE
The confidence that reading builds for a child, is life changing. There is a joy within that we saw from our daughter when she could pick up a book and read it. Not only did it build confidence by knowing the words on the page but being able to understand how the pictures and the words worked together to bring the words on the page to life.
AWARENESS
After learning to read and understand the meaning of words (because we constantly explain what words mean), we noticed that our daughter was more aware of her surroundings. Reading signs as we crossed the street “WRONG WAY”, stop signs and more.
VOCABULARY
The earlier your little one begins to read, the more words they learn which in turn expands their vocabulary. Their vocabulary has no choice but to grow because as the confidence and awareness builds they are more intrigued by gaining knowledge that they desire to learn more words no matter how long or hard they may seem. Ultimately impacted their creativity which is a child’s mental playground.
CREATIVITY
Have you ever heard the quote “ Leaders are Readers”? It’s because reading expands the mind, sparking creativity! By the simple task of equipping your child to read! You are building them up to be leaders be it on the playground or in a boardroom meeting. Let their minds run WILD, through reading!
HOW WE DID IT,WIth Intentionality
Intentionality with what is heard and watched. When we first introduced screen time we only turned on shows that were educational, sparked creativity or communicated clearly. What do I mean? No shows with whiny characters that used baby talk but spoke clearly. There was and still is a strong focus on shows that are building words and using phonics. To name a few, Alphablocks (on youtube), Ms.Rachel (on netflix and youtube), and even Daniel Tiger (he’s not whining but teaches working through difficult things with maturity). When our kids are young they are sponges and quick to mimic behavior so it was important that their screen time displayed how valuable their words are.
Affirming them
Not sure if you’ve ever been told to do something or learn something without encouragement before. But that method never worked for our kids, they thrive on being uplifted and honestly us showing and speaking life into them. When it came down to teaching them to read, we were patient but also reminding them they CAN remember the letter sound, they CAN sound out the word, they can form sentences and comprehend what that sentence says and means! I firmly believe we, the parents/guardians, are the cornerstone for our child’s belief in their own abilities.
Using Words as a game
When taking a walk around your neighborhood, look at the stop sign and ask them to say the sounds of each letter as you approach it. When you get to the stop sign use your finger and glide across the letters as they sound it out. Practice this everywhere you go, at a restaurant, while pumping gas. There is an opportunity to read EVERYWHERE!
Toddlers Can Read
Last but definitely not least, use resources from Toddlers Can Read. I believe these tools and resources were what helped make the shift in all the other work we were already doing into a confident reader. We have only made it through two of the many activities we’ve purchased through them and our daughter at three and a half years of age could read the entire Are you my Mother? By Dr.Seuss book. Spencer, the creator of Toddlers can read created this program and resources with a heavy focus on building literacy in children early on!
I’m grateful to have found these resources so that is why I chose to share them here. There is an intentionality about learning the sounds of the letters in the alphabet FIRST. Because knowing the letters won’t help you to build words. Whether you use his cards or create your own at home. Here is a youtube video of the letter sounds to make sure you are teaching your kids the right sounds to help them build words confidently!
I know every child learns differently and at their own time but I just always want to encourage you ti give it a try!
Cheers to Learning & Literacy,
xX Classically Faith Xx
