Tips on teaching 4yr old to read

[Primavera]

I currently live overseas (Brazil) and my 4.5yr DS is in local school, learning reading and writing there in Portugese only. We would like some tips as to teach him sounds in English at home, have no access to UK library books, so I can to order them, but not sure ones which are best. He loves books and keen to learn, can memorise lots of stories, but when do I know this is him reading properly? What stage would he be at if he were in Reception? Any books/websites/games/tips much appreciated.

cor, bilingual ds? Blimey! Good on ya!

I was thinking more in terms of flashcards, either to make or buy - basically I made a few word cards with the names of familiar household stuff on, and ds had to run round the house blu-tacking the appropriate word on to the 'thing' - basically labelling everything in our house like door, wall, chair, table, bed etc. Starting with simple ones like those and working up.

I use teachers resource websites a lot, well worth a look, there's some lovely stuff on them. You'd need to check out foundation stage literacy, that's basically what he'd be doing in school over here. Check out Jolly Phonics cos they are fab.
This book here might be a help

Also check out the cbeebies website, everything on there is aimed at preschoolers, obv. Also look here

Use Jolly Phonics materials
www.jollylearning.co.uk - complete range of multi-sensory literacy materials for teaching the Basic Code built around 'The Phonics Handbook' by Sue Lloyd. Unscripted. Suitable for young children 3-6 years old.
Download the Jolly Phonics guide -practical advice for parents and teachers; includes a list of the Jolly Phonics 'sound actions' jollylearning.co.uk/2009%20P-T%20Guide_2009%20Guide.pdf

or, Phonics International Early Years Starter Package: Young-child resources for children aged 3-5, for pre-school settings and parents who want to make an early start with synthetic phonics: www.phonicsinternational.com/Early-Years-Starter-Pack-Intro.html
Programme guidance booklet to download: www.phonicsinternational.com/guidance_book.pdf

Both are very suitable for young children and use the tried and tested synthetic phonics method.

HTH

Try www.sparklebox.co.uk. It has lots of ready made flashcards of the first hundred words that children should be able to read that you can just print off. Look in the literacy section

TVM for all your tips - have checked them all out. I have the JollyP books - glad everyone recommends them and DS has been on sparklebox and bbc bitesize websites today

Sparklebox is run by a convicted paedophile. I wouldn't go near his website.

please don't use sparklebox.

I don't think there's anything on it that you can't get elsewhere.

I suggest Alphablocks on the Cbeebies website (free) or Headsprout (not free, although there are some trial lessons)

I like the cbeebies 'fun with phonics' TV programme here on Amazon and I used Jolly Phonics flashcards like these that I got on e-bay.

put English subtitles on when watching films on DVD's

Just love Jelly and Bean / Follifoot Farm - google it, it's the best, and especially good for bilinguals as incredibly thorough and rigorous.