letters/ words/ reading?

[StackALee]

Just out of interest...

What age would you think is a good time to start spelling out words to children? Preschool?

How do you go about it all.

I am happily bumbling along with my three year old but not really pushing him to recognise letters or words (He does recognise his own, very short, name written down but that's thanks to nursery).

He's starting to ask me 'what does that say' about words in books and on signs.

Is it damaging to start too early, should I leave it for school?

Damaging? Gosh no! In fact he's been learning since he opened his eyes!

If he asks, tell him!

oh, I do. I just wondered if I should make it more of a school like thing... set aside time to go through letters and words etc - like they might in school?

I wouldn't set aside time, words are everywhere, and he obviously has a keen interest. I'm sure DS first 'read' ASDA and TESCO! I'm sure nursery will be going through the very basics with them all.

Also - a friend of mine who did some education training told me that if you push children too hard too young it can be damaging and actually stunt their learning?

not sure how true that is?

Well, I think if you made a big performance of forced flashcards and prescribed learning time it could be a bit stifling and offputting perhaps?

But to quote you 'happily bumbling along' sounds ideal! :)

You can practice spotting the first letter of his name on number plates, show him the letter o which is like a circle and see if he can spot it, you can play I spy with my little eye something that starts with the sound 'hmmm' (using the phonics sounds, not the letter name). There are lots of little games you can play, without 'teaching' anything. I wouldn't 'set aside time', just integrate it in his play. If he plays with cars, say, 'car, that starts with the sound C'. show him signs like Tesco, ASDA, etc. the first word my son 'read' was 'petrol'...

I'm starting with my 3yr old. He can pick out a few letters that he sees if they're in his name. He can also do a few words on the alphablocks app.

His brothers started nursery at 3 and they introduced a few letters throughout the year in preparation for school, and got them to practice trying to write their names towards the end of the year.

Pushing can be damaging but following your child's lead and encouraging him to the next step works.

Yes my 23 m old loves the alphablocks app and can do a couple of words sometimes.
Other times she does every letter other than the right one (i think on purpose)
She also loves montessori app

If he asks what something says just tell him? No drama.

Pocket phonics is a good app for letter formation and learning phonetically (as he's likely to be taught at school). Per-school will probably do some of this as well, so you could get some tips from his key worker.

If he's interested, you'll do more harm than good by leaving it till school.

Thank you for the info about the apps. I just got the alpha locks and am a bit disappointed that the letters are all upper case. Am I wrong in thinking that you would teach lower case either first or at the same time?

Also the app pronounces 'z' as 'zee' - is there one with uk pronunciation?

Also, before I get it, is pocket phonics from the uk?

Just checked, and yes, pocket phonics is British.