Teaching your child to read is the most important and rewarding thing you will get to do with your child. It is always better to start slow than play catch-up, when the child starts preschool. The feeling you get when your child starts to read words and sentences is extremely emotional as you realize your child is a really big kid now.
When you start the process early you can start without too much pressure and your child will also view it positively. Positive and game-like atmosphere is much more likely to have great results. Some kids can read as early as 2 years and some do not start until 6 years old. Don’t let that guide when your child needs to starts, just simply let him/her learn at his own speed.
It is also better to use the more traditional toys than starting to use electronics at a young age. They will get their hands on electronics before you know it, so it is better to get them familiar with real classic proven toys we grew up using.
Step by Step Product Guide
ABC and 123 Wooden Blocks
First start by introducing the blocks before the age of one. Initially they will be used as just building blocks toy. Slowly you can start teaching your child the sounds each sound letter makes. After that has been mastered 2 letter words can be made. Another option is naming the first sounds of the picture is a great exercise.
Spelling Puzzle
Once a child starts recognizing letters a word puzzle is a great next step. By having big and colorful pictures younger children can create words based on pictures alone and as they get older, they will start to recognize the letters and sounds. This allows the puzzle to be used from very young age and all the way up to preschool.
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ABC Flash Cards
There are many variation of flash cards on the market today. There are cards with pictures and words, cards that you can make words similar to a puzzle and there are cards with just a picture and a first letter. The words making cards are more advanced and should be used in later stages. There are also number, shapes and many other word types flash cards. Having to learn one card at a time is a much easier and funner concept or a child than a book.
Slide, See and Say Flashcards
Is a great methodology where you slide letters one by one to let the child sound the letters one by one instead of being overwhelmed by the entire word. You can uncover each letter, the child can sound the letters until the final word is revealed. You can use normal cards and just use a piece of paper to cover the letters.
Books
Starting with large print and lots of pictures to help the child recognize the words more easily. By having just a few words on each page will not overwhelm the child and will encourage positive experience. Funny stories with entertaining pictures are a great option.
An Elephant and Piggie Books collection is a perfect series of books for kids starting to read.