Free Preschool Lesson to Teach a Child Beginning Reading Skills

Teaching children to read can sometimes seem like a hard task. However, it doesn't have to be. When you incorporate fun into learning, a child will be much more receptive to learning and the process will go smoother. This lesson is for a preschool-aged child who knows the letter sounds, but has not used them to form words yet or is just starting to. In this lesson, the child will gain instruction and practice of critical early reading skills and begin to learn how to read.

Materials
this lesson plan
Skip Has Fun (Free Early Reader)
white paper
drawing/coloring supplies
stapler
laminator and sheets(optional, but optimal)

Make A Book Together
Print "Skip Has Fun" from the link above. Make "Skip Has Fun" into a book together with your preschooler, following the instructions included. While making the book, be sure to point out how each picture will go with the words. Making the book will be a fun accomplishment for the child. Many children will desire to read something they have created themselves.

Getting Started
Now look through the book and read it to your child. Point to each word as you say it. Then, point at the picture that represents the word. Read through it again, this time sounding out the words and pointing to the letters as you say their sounds. As you do this, sound out each word slowly once, then faster, then say the entire word, underlining it with your finger. For instance, if the word was "fun", you'd say "f-u-n", slowly, pointing out each letter. Then you'd say "f-u-n" again, doing the same, but faster. Then, you'd say "fun" and underline it quickly with your finger. Once you have done this, it is time for you to try it with your child.

I Can Do It
Now, this time, you will take your child through the process, but a touch differently than what you did. Take the child's finger and point to each letter, asking the child to name the letter and its sound. For the word "fun", you would have your child say "f" and then make the f sound and repeat the same for u and n. Next, you would have your child just say the sounds of the letters in order, sounding out the word. Have your child do that slow one time, then faster, and then very fast. Then, ask your child what the word is, based on the sounds he or she hears. Do this for the whole book.

Continuing The Lesson
Some children will pick up on this right away. For others, it will take some time. Do not get frustrated with your child. The important thing is that your child is getting the needed practice of reading skills. He or she will show improvement if this is practiced daily with a variety of stories. There are two more stories included below for practice. One is at a more difficult level for after your child masters three letter words.Stick to stories with simple one to three letter words at first. Try to stick to stories without the "sh", "ch", "wh", and other sounds with silent or blending letters until your child has mastered the simpler words.

Remember that young children cannot focus for extended periods of time. Using 5 minutes when your child is interested and focused will be more beneficial than using an hour in which the child is frustrated. If you see that your child is not focusing or is too frustrated, choose another moment for this lesson.

Reading Material

Skip Has Fun
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/284921/skip_has_fun.html

Pat Can Bat
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/305596/early_reader_level_1_pat_can_bat.html

We Look For Books
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/446797/we_look_for_books.html

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