How can I help with reading

[WipsGlitter]

DS (age 5) seems to be struggling with his reading. He's not even getting the high frequency words (is, it, mum, went) right. I've tried putting them on the toy blackboard but he loses interest and gets frustrated.

When we do the reading book thats sent home he's guessing the word, even when we try to sound it out he doesn't really seem to get it.

He's doing fine with his writing and numbers.

Any ideas, how did you get your child interested. I should also say we only get home from work/school at 5.30 so time is tight and patience is short. He does like being read to.

Whatever you do, try and make sure you foster that love of reading. If he has enthusiasm and a love of books he will eventually read (unless he has a learning difficulty in this area which will need to be addressed through school). If he loves being read to, carry on as much as possible. Get him to choose books he loves for you to read and just do some 'book talk'. Discuss what happens, the characters, the settings and begin to talk about individual words when you feel ready. See if there are any he recognises. The main thing is he enjoys it and there's no pressure. Good luck.

Write sweets, coal, chalk, strawberries, milk, juice and raisins on large pieces of paper with a black marker pen and put them on the floor. Read each one once with your son. Then mix them around a few times like a conjurer doing a trick and tell him which ever one he reads properly he can have some of. I bet he reads sweets and strawberries correctly first time.

Expand and extend method as necessary.

If he cant read 'it' 'is' 'mum' and 'went' I doubt he could read the words l&s has written.

You could try the teach your monster to read website OP? It's on the computer and about monsters/aliens which may appeal to your DS?

You could try pinning certain words around the front room and have a race to get to each word iyswim.

At this stage I would keep it fun and simple as he is only young.

Hi WipsGlitter:

You may find the Jolly Phonics workbooks a help (also with writing). They're available for amazon and most large bookshops/ newsagents. Link here to find out more: jollylearning.co.uk/overview-about-jolly-phonics/

Oxford Owl: has help for parents supporting early reading and free e-books here: www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Reading

Alphablocks (CBEEBIES tv programme) was particularly helpful when DD2 was in Year R. The tunes are very catchy and really helps to visually and orally reinforce how to sound out letter combinations. Link here: www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/alphablocks/ - below the main picture there are three squares with pictures of the alphablocks - these are icons for games, colouring sheets and episodes of the programme (link to episodes here: www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/alphablocks/watch/alphablocks-clips/ - the clips are ordered by letter (vowel or consonant) and sound.

I will add with alphablocks - it may help to follow the order of sounds set out in jolly phonics, rather than just go through alphabetically.

HTH

IMO the best thing you can do is just to continue reading to your child. Ask him to talk to you about the text of the story - try fairy tales, funny books etc. Simple things like identifying the bits they liked, the bits they didn't and to give you a short recount are all working towards the end goal - which is to love reading.

If you are worried about his phonics - speak to his teacher and ask him/her to address your concerns with some appropriate assistance at school.

Most likely - by the time 5.30 rolls around, your DS is tired and had enough for the day. If you really want to work on it at home - you might be better off getting up a little earlier and doing some revision when he's fresh, before school. I taught my kids by reading the text, talking about the pictures and then letting them have a go themselves.

If he cant read 'it' 'is' 'mum' and 'went' I doubt he could read the words l&s has written.
I agree and he will encounter these words much more frequently in day to day reading.
You say his writing is fine ... can he write these words?