Print Awareness
- Children learn that print carries meaning and recognize its presence in everyday life, such as on signs or packaging.
- Activities to support this: Read aloud to your child, point to words as you read, and encourage them to interact with books by turning pages.
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Phonological Awareness
- This is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate sounds in spoken language, including rhymes, syllables, and individual sounds (phonemes).
- Activities to support this: Play rhyming games, sing songs, and clap out syllables in words.
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Alphabet Knowledge
- Children learn the names, shapes, and sounds of letters.
- Activities to support this: Provide letter-matching puzzles, practice tracing letters, and point out letters in their environment.
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Vocabulary Development
- Expanding your child’s word bank improves their understanding and ability to connect spoken words to print.
- Activities to support this: Introduce new words during conversations, label objects in your home, and read books rich in language.
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Story Comprehension
- Children learn to understand and engage with stories by identifying characters, predicting outcomes, and retelling events.
- Activities to support this: Ask your child questions about the story, encourage them to act out scenes, and discuss their favorite parts.
Why Phonological Awareness is Crucial
Of all the emergent reading skills, phonological awareness plays a central role in your child’s ability to decode words when they begin formal reading instruction. This skill enables children to break down words into smaller sound units and blend them back together, a process that is essential for reading success.
For children with dyslexia, phonological awareness is often a significant challenge. Dyslexia is a neurobiological condition that affects the brain’s ability to process language, particularly the sound structures of words. Struggles with phonological awareness can make it difficult for these children to connect sounds to letters, leading to difficulties in decoding and spelling.
How to Support Emergent Readers and Prevent Reading Struggles
The good news is that early intervention can make a profound difference for children who may be at risk for dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Here’s what you can do:
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Focus on Phonological Awareness:
Engage your child in activities that strengthen their ability to hear and manipulate sounds. For example, play games where they identify the first sound in a word or blend sounds together to form a word (e.g., “What word does /c/-/a/-/t/ make?”).
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Read Aloud Daily:
Reading to your child exposes them to the rhythm and sounds of language. Emphasize rhymes and repetitive phrases, and encourage your child to join in.
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Identify Early Warning Signs:
If your child has difficulty recognizing rhymes, clapping out syllables, or identifying beginning sounds, these may be signs of a phonological awareness deficit. Seek advice from a reading specialist if concerns arise.
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Provide Multisensory Experiences:
Use hands-on, engaging activities to teach sounds and letters. For example, have your child form letters out of clay while saying the corresponding sound or jump on letter mats while practicing sounds.
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Create a Print-Rich Environment:
Surround your child with books, labels, and other print materials. Encourage them to explore these resources and talk about what they see.
How Lexify Can Be Part of the Journey
Lexify™: Play 'n Read is designed to support children through the emergent reading stage, particularly those who may struggle with phonological awareness or show early signs of dyslexia. With its engaging, game-based approach, Lexify helps children develop key skills in a way that feels fun and interactive. Here’s how Lexify can make a difference:
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Targeted Phonological Awareness Activities:
Lexify focuses on teaching children to recognize, segment, and blend sounds through dynamic games that keep them motivated.
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Multisensory Learning:
The program incorporates sight, sound, and interactive games to help children connect letters and sounds, making learning more engaging and effective.
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Customized Progression:
Lexify’s curriculum is designed to follow a systematic progression of syllable types, starting with open syllables and moving through other types, ensuring a solid foundation for reading.
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Parental Support:
Lexify provides tools and resources for parents to support their child’s learning at home, fostering a collaborative and encouraging environment.
By incorporating Lexify into your child’s reading journey, you can provide them with the structured support they need to overcome challenges and build confidence as they develop their literacy skills.
Building a Strong Foundation
Emergent reading sets the stage for your child’s literacy journey. By focusing on the five key components and prioritizing phonological awareness, you can help your child develop the skills they need to become successful readers. For children at risk of dyslexia, early and consistent support can prevent reading struggles and unlock their full potential. Remember, the time you invest in building these skills now will pay off in your child’s reading success and confidence for years to come.
