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Original poster

How can I help my DS read

33 replies

doero · 23/11/2024 17:25

My DS will be 5 in January.

He started reception in September. He's able to sound out words and blend. So essentially he can read by sounding out.

He's able to sound out in his head too and then read the word out loud.

He's struggling to read several words at once and to recognise words quickly in order to increase fluency.

Should I make loads of flash cards with words on them to try and speed things along for him ? Or is that just silly ?

OP posts:
YouLookinSusBro · 23/11/2024 17:35

He's doing fine for reception. Just relax, worst thing you can do is force it

Bernadinetta · 23/11/2024 17:35

He’s at the correct stage this time of year for Reception. Focus of fostering a love of reading, enjoying stories together- you reading aloud to him, talking about the story and the pictures, anticipating what could happen next etc.

Singleandproud · 23/11/2024 17:33

The trick is to read to him and track the words with your finger as you go. Reading to him will help build his vocabulary the same as if he were reading to himself. You want this to be pleasurable, we always sat down with a warm drink and a couple of biscuits, I'd read to DD whilst she drank hers, then she'd give it a go whilst I drank mine.

What you don't want to do is make it stressful. So if your DC enjoys playing games, you can make up a load of high frequency word cards and use them to play 'pairs' etc but if he doesn't like that sort of thing just keep reading low key and part of day to day life.

BarbaraVineFan · 23/11/2024 17:32

I would relax if I were you. What you have described is exceeding expectations for this point in reception.

verycloakanddaggers · 23/11/2024 17:31

The best thing is to read to him.

Please don't make flashcards, it sounds really boring and might put him off.

Read to him over and over and over and over again.

Get him to join in, encourage him to read to you too but only if he wants to.

There is no need to try to 'speed things along' - he is fine. Make reading fun.

PlantDoctor · 23/11/2024 17:31

He sounds like he's doing quite well? He just needs to practice. I think flashcards would not really help as he'll just recognise the shapes of the words rather than reading them

Annabella92 · 23/11/2024 17:29

Do you read to him? Does he have books that you enjoy together? Take him to the library... sound out signs, menu items..

2weekwait · 23/11/2024 17:29

Flash cards aren’t a bad idea but you need to make sure he likes it and thinks it’s fun. Loosing his love of reading at this age would be detrimental.

He sounds like he’s on track for his age, so I wouldn’t be too worried.

You could try something like Reading Eggs, it’s an online app / game for maths and reading.