My son seemed to be doing really well with his phonics. We have even gotten to the point where he was reading (or at least I thought he was) some very simple readers. But today when we moved on to some completely new words, he couldn't sound them out. I stopped and we went through the letters of the alphabet with me showing him the letter and he was telling me what sound it makes and the letter name. He only had a good grasp on about half of them. I'm thinking all this time I thought he was reading he was really just memorizing the pages. So...what to do? Go back to letters and sounds with what we are using now? (hooked on phonics) Go with something completely new? Or keep going and hope he picks it up along the way? Suggestions? And if I should switch to something else, what do you suggest? BTW, he's 5 1/2 years old. Thanks!
I think that is completely normal. I learned the hard way thatnteaching to read is best if delayed. Unless my little guy asks to learn, I will not encourage him to learn until at least 6. My 7yo struggled like you wouldn't believe, now he did need glasses we found out, but I could see not long after he turned 6 that he was really trying... before that it was a total nightmare trying to get him to read. Once he got the glasses that trying really paid off.
You could supplement with www.starfall.com - it's free, and it's online and it's fun. They kinda learn without even realizing it.
I wouldn't stress at 5. Play games that teach phonics (both mine love starfall) read to him, a lot, point out words in stores, going down the road, watch some leap frog videos (netflix has a couple), leap frog toys are good too.
I only start teaching my kids to read when they turn 7 unless they request to learn earlier. I would just let him learn his letters and his sounds again and not stress about him reading yet.
Totally normal!! I agree not to stress but as a mom I know how badly you want him to read. www.starfall.com is a great suggestion. Read to him and try to relax. That said my just about 5 year old is at about the same point as your son and it is frustrating so I'm trying not to do phonics and reading more than a couple times a week. The rest of the time I just read to her.
Phonics are taught for a few years or more because a young child's brain can't digest it all in one or two years. It isn't a problem, but very normal. Keep reinforcing what you are covering and one day, it will stick. I am impressed that your kiddo has a good grasp on half. I say he has a great memory.
