6 Essential Skills Children Need Before Phonics Instruction

Before children begin phonics instruction, there are six skills they need to develop to ensure success and confidence in decoding (matching letters and letter combinations in printed words to the sounds they represent) words. Think of a house and how it needs a strong foundation to support its structure. These six skills together are the strong foundation needed to build upon in reading. In this blog post, we'll explore each of these skills with practical insights and strategies to support your child's literacy development.

1. Oral Language Skills: Effective communication begins with a strong foundation in oral language. I can't stress this enough; engage in rich conversations, storytelling, and vocabulary-building activities with your child as often as you can to enhance their speaking and listening skills.

2. Print Awareness: This is the knowledge of the different forms of print and the functions of print. Before children can grasp the concept of phonics, they need to understand the basics of print awareness. Point out letters, words, and sentences in everyday contexts such as books, signs, and labels to help your child develop an awareness of print conventions.

3. Letter Names, Shapes, and Sounds: Familiarize your child with the alphabet by introducing letter names, shapes, and sounds through playful activities and games. Use multisensory approaches to reinforce learning and make it fun and engaging.

4. Phonological Awareness: Phonological awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate the spoken parts of words (phonemes, onset-rime, syllables). It lays the groundwork for phonics instruction by focusing on the sounds of language. Break down phonological awareness into its subsets – phonemic awareness, onset and rime awareness, syllable awareness, and rhyme awareness – and incorporate activities targeting each area. Click here to learn more about phonological awareness.

5. Listening Comprehension: Strong listening comprehension skills are essential for understanding spoken language and decoding written text. Practice and encourage your child to listen to stories, ask questions, and make connections to deepen their understanding of texts.

6. Fine Motor Skills, Interest, & Motivation: Lastly, children need to develop fine motor skills to use writing tools and explore their interest and motivation in literacy activities. Provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on exploration and acknowledge progress to fuel their enthusiasm for reading.

Nurturing these six skills will yield positive results. You'll provide your child with a solid foundation for phonics instruction and set them on the path to becoming proficient readers. Remember, it takes time to master skills. You must provide opportunities for mastery of these six skills to occur. Have patience and give grace where necessary. Know that you are on a great path to success with your child. Do not give up!

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