The Best Way to Teach Your Preschooler to Read

It might seem impossible to teach your preschooler to read but with the right tools it can be so simple. With Sonlight’s learning to read materials, I am astounded with the progress Oliver has been able to make over the past few months.

Teaching my oldest child to read was something I always looked forward to about being a parent. Reading was the biggest part of my life through my school years. It was always there when I wanted to learn about something new. To be able to share this with my kids is one of my greatest joys.

I was nervous about teaching my kids to read. Especially Oliver because I knew he was smart enough to do it even being so little. Phonics is one of those things that I knew and understood, I just wasn’t sure how to break it down for my four year old.

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make sure they’re ready

Last September I decided to start homeschooling Oliver for about 20 minutes every morning. He was only three at the time but I wanted to get him used to sitting and focusing. Even just for small periods of time. We would work on basic preschool books you can pick up at Walmart or Target, just to get the morning habit started.

I knew if I slowly started to work with him on reading, as long as we went at his own pace, he would be able to do it. So far he’s been able to keep up really well but we still only practice for about 20 minutes every morning. This way his brain isn’t being overloaded with too much information and he’s learning to focus for a small period of time before his attention shifts to something else.

It’s also important to be consistent to continually reinforce what they’re learning. Even three times a week or every other day is plenty. But if too much time passes in between lessons, you’ll spend more time reviewing than actually moving forward. Come up with a schedule that works for you and your kids. A half hour or so a few days a week is all it takes.

I would highly recommend getting your little one used to sitting at the table. It’s easier to adjust working on easy, light learning, like colors or shapes, before jumping to reading. Even if only for a few months every morning. I think this is a huge foundational piece for homeschooling, especially really young kids.

get the right tools

After using Sonlight’s Learning to Read Bundle with Oliver I won’t ever use anything else with my kids. I can’t stress enough how much easier and smoother it has made the whole process, for me and for Oliver. Learning to read is probably the most intricate and complicated thing your kids will have to learn. It will lay the foundation for the rest of their education. That’s why it’s so important to do it the right way with the right tools.

Sonlight’s Learning to Read Bundle has been such a blessing for us. Teaching my kids to read was something I was extremely anxious about because I just didn’t know how to start. With the tools and materials from Sonlight I know that with time and practice I’ll be able to easily walk my kids through the process.

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The Sonlight Remedial Reading Program is the most essential part to the learning to read process. The Reading Reflex book included in the bundle has given me so much insight and understanding in teaching kids to read. The book breaks down how to teach your children to read step by step so the only thing you really have to do is follow the instructions.

The Grade K Readers are another great tool after your kids have mastered all the letter sounds. The set of 27 booklets are perfect for when kids are ready to start reading small, simple sentences. The first book starts with a few simple sounds. As your children continue to read them in order they slowly begin to grow into bigger sentences. These are great little booklets to raise your children’s confidence as they are able to read book after book.

The MCP Phonics Level C book is a great hands on tool with different exercises to reinforce the letter sounds and phonics rules. It covers consonants, short and long vowels, compounds, syllables, blends and digraphs, contractions, plurals, suffixes and so much more. This workbook helps kids work through some of the more difficult rules of phonics.

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If you’re looking for a curriculum to start teaching your kids to read, Sonlight’s Learning to Read Bundle is for you. Even if you have a reader but they’re struggling, this set could help them immensely. Not only has Oliver been able to start understanding and putting together letter sounds but the time we’ve spent together has been priceless.

Reading has always been a great love of mine. To be able to share that with my kids has been one of the best parts of motherhood for me. Since beginning to teach Oliver to read, I’ve been able to connect with him in a way that I haven’t been able to before.

In honor of Sonlight’s 30th Anniversary this year, they are hosting 30 weekly giveaways now through 9/30/20 with a new giveaway item each Wednesday and a grand prize of an All-Subject Package of your choice from Sonlight! Enter the contest weekly for eligibility.