How to Teach a Child to Read and Write

Overview

Reading and writing are the most important skills that a child learns in his early years of school. Once a child can read, he can learn about anything. Many parents decide to teach their children to read before they are officially school-aged. Other parents need to teach their own children because they do not learn to read at school for one reason or another. If you would like to teach your child to read and write, remember to keep it fun and interesting, to move along at your child's pace and to cut the lessons short if your child does not seem ready or if he is getting very frustrated. Keep a calm and patient demeanor to most effectively tutor your child.
Step 1

Show your child that reading and writing are fun by reading yourself. Read your child a variety of materials, from picture books to nonfiction books. Let her see you reading everything from newspapers and magazines to hardcover fiction books to do-it-yourself guides. Let her also see you write out grocery lists, letters, postcards and appointments on the calendar.
Step 2

Play games with your child to teach him phonemic awareness. Ask him if he can think of "-at" words to go in the "-at" family. Start him off with a few examples, such as cat and rat. Try to make up silly rhymes with your child. When reading nursery rhymes, leave off the last word and see if your child can fill it in.
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Step 3

Teach your child the lowercase letters and what sounds they make. Teach a few consonants and one or two vowels so that he will be able to read some short words. Continue to add in letters gradually. Work on the short vowel sounds, then the long vowel sounds. Consider using a phonics workbook or a reading curriculum, such as Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.
Step 4

Show your child how to write the letters as you teach him the sounds. Use lined paper to make large lowercase letters. Have him trace several of your examples, then try it on his own. Praise any efforts that he makes. If he is not ready to use a pencil to make letters, allow him to use a marker, chalk on a chalkboard or even his finger to write the letters in a tray of sand, salt or dry rice.
Step 5

Teach your child some common sight words that do not follow the basic rules of phonics. Examples of these words are the, is, of, to and said.
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Tips and Warnings

* Take your child to the library to choose new reading material. The children's librarian will be able to help you find books that are not too easy or too hard, and that will help hold his interest. While many children are able to learn to read between the ages of four and six, remember that your child may need extra time to mature before being taught to read. If you are worried that your child is learning too slowly, speak to his teacher or pediatrician about your concern.


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