[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Introduction” module_id=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Sub-Header-2-scaled.jpg” min_height=”360px” min_height_tablet=”” min_height_phone=”620px” min_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” height_tablet=”410px” height_phone=”449px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” background_last_edited=”on|phone” background_image_tablet=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Sub-Header-1-scaled.jpg” background_image_phone=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Sub-Header.jpg” background_enable_image_tablet=”on” background_enable_image_phone=”on” locked=”off” collapsed=”on” title_text_tablet=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Going Beyond Phonics Subheader” title_text_phone=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Going Beyond Phonics Subheader”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” min_height=”360px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”margin: auto auto 0;”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ admin_label=”text” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”50px|10px|50px|10px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”5px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”5px||||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_text content_tablet=”<\/p>\n
Pre-reading skills can be easy to nurture and will lay the foundations for reading success.<\/p>\n
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Pre-reading skills can be easy to nurture and will lay the foundations for reading success.” content_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#ffffff” width=”70%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”37px||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” header_text_align_tablet=”center” header_text_align_phone=”center” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone”]<\/p>\n
Pre-reading skills can be easy to nurture and
\nwill lay the foundations for reading success.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”What are Pre-reading Skills?” module_id=”What-are-Pre-reading-Skills” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”50px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ collapsed=”on” locked=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
Put simply, pre-reading skills are the first steps a child takes on their journey towards literacy. Some of these skills, such as learning the alphabet, seem fairly obvious, but they’re not all so clear! There are many other important pre-reading skills that are often overlooked by parents.\u00a0 Even if a parent is aware of all of these skills, they may still be at a loss when it comes to facilitating their development.\u00a0 Equipping children with strong pre-reading skills will require time and patience from parents. However, perhaps even more importantly, it will require parents to set the right example.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Motivation to Read” module_id=”Motivation-to-Read” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ collapsed=”on” locked=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Motivation-to-Read.jpg” alt=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Developing Pre-reading Skills Motivation to read” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Motivation to Read” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]We all know that learning is easier when it is enjoyable. Be it a new skill, recipe or technique, if we actively enjoy the thing we are learning, we will be more motivated to continue – even when it becomes challenging! Reading is no different. Children need to see reading as a pleasurable activity, not merely something that has to be done so that they \u2018do well in school\u2019. One of the simplest ways a parent can show children that reading is fun is to read themselves. Children imitate what they see around them, so when they see Mum and Dad enjoying a good book they will be more inclined to want to do the same. <\/p>\n
Another way of increasing a child\u2019s motivation to read is to allow them to select their own reading materials. Take your children to the bookstore or library and allow them to choose books for themselves. Children will be far more motivated to engage with their own choices than with books that are foisted on them.<\/p>\n
Children who are motivated to learn to read will likely pretend to read, especially if Mum and Dad are reading together. They will show an interest in books and happily flip through them before they can decipher the words on the page. They will also likely ask their parents to read to them, which may be the single most important thing a parent can do to strengthen a child\u2019s motivation to read. Read to your child every day. The enjoyment of a story being read in an engaging tone of voice is the clearest indicator to a young child that books – and by extension reading – is fun.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Vocabulary.jpg” alt=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Developing Pre-reading Skills Vocabulary” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Vocabulary” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”]Being able to identify things based on their names is a vital pre-reading skill. Children need to connect the words they hear (and later read) to something they know. This could be an animal like a cat or dog, an object like a table or chair or even an emotion, like happy or sad. Provide your child with a variety of fiction and non-fiction books filled with pictures and be ready to answer their questions when asked what something is. Likewise, use a wide vocabulary when talking to your child and explain the meaning of unfamiliar words to them.<\/p>\n
Another great way of developing your child\u2019s vocabulary is to ask them to describe things. This could be an everyday object, one of their favourite toys, or even a picture in a book you are reading together. Take the time to help your child find the appropriate words to explain how something looks, feels or sounds.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Language-and-Comprehension-Skills.jpg” alt=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Developing Pre-reading Skills Language and Comprehension” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Language and Comprehension Skills” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”]Whether reading for themselves or being read to, it is important that children have the ability to understand the story. If children do not have this skill, then the magic of the stories they are reading will be lost to them. The narratives will be reduced to a string of seemingly unconnected words.<\/p>\n
Children who have these skills should be able to answer simple questions about a story such as \u201cWhy is this character sad?\u201d or \u201cWhat do you think will happen next?\u201d. They will also be able to retell the story in their own words and describe elements of the story such as individual characters or settings. Fortunately, these are things that are easy to make a part of your regular reading time and can be extended in many ways. For example, you might want to provide your child with finger puppets to help them retell the story they have heard or have them draw a picture of their favourite part of the story and explain what happened.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Concepts-of-Print.jpg” alt=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Developing Pre-reading Skills Concept of print” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Concepts of Print” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
Before children can read, they need to know how books work. Things that are second nature to parents, such as how to hold a book correctly, will be alien to young learners at the start of their reading journey.\u00a0 Children need to see that books start on page one and that pages are turned one at a time.\u00a0 They need to be made aware that we read from left to right and top to bottom and that those groups of symbols on the page each represent an individual spoken word.<\/p>\n
Once again, your daily reading time can address all of this.\u00a0 Before reading a story, spend a moment on the front cover of the book.\u00a0 Rather than just telling your child what the title of the book is, point out the title and author too.\u00a0 Over time, your child will come to recognise the front cover of a book and thus know that they should start reading from there.\u00a0 Once the story begins, use your finger to track the words as you read them. Allow your child to hold the book, ask them to turn the pages, and even have them track the words with their fingers while you read.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Letter-Knowledge.jpg” alt=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Developing Pre-reading Skills Letter Knowledge” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Letter Knowledge” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”]Singing the alphabet song is a good start, but children who have strong letter knowledge can do much more, including identifying the individual letters written in uppercase or lowercase. Crucially, they are also aware that each letter makes a sound and are able to make that sound when asked.<\/p>\n
Teaching all of this can seem daunting at first so it\u2019s best to start small. Teach your child the letters in their name and ask them to point them out on an alphabet chart. Use part of your daily reading time to read an alphabet book with your child, asking them to name letters and sounds. Letter knowledge can even be nurtured outside the house by drawing attention to print in the environment. For example, you could ask your child to \u2018hunt\u2019 for certain letters while at the supermarket. Not only will this activity help with their letter knowledge, but it will keep them occupied while you\u2019re buying groceries![\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Phonological-Awareness.jpg” alt=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Developing Pre-reading Skills Phonological Awareness” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Phonological Awareness” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”30px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”]Phonological awareness is the knowledge that words are made up of smaller sounds and the skill to identify and manipulate those sounds. Children with strong phonological awareness will be able to recognise rhyming words when they hear them and count the syllables in words. As their phonological awareness improves, they will be able to blend sounds together to form words and also break up words into their individual sounds.<\/p>\n
One way to help a child develop strong phonological awareness is through the singing of songs and rhymes. Teach these to your child so that they can sing them to their heart\u2019s content. You may also want to read rhyming stories to your child. The \u2018Hairy Maclary\u2019 and \u2018Slinki Malinki\u2019 collections by Lynley Dodd are funny, engaging stories that rhyme and that children love.<\/p>\n
Finally, take time to play word games with your child. You could play \u2018eye-spy\u2019 substituting the name of the letter for the sound it makes or ask children to replace the first sound of a word with another sound (e.g. replace the \u2018c\u2019 in \u2018cat\u2019 with an \u2018m\u2019).[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”30px||||false|false” locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”]Note that again and again many of the skills listed above can be covered during reading time. Whether it\u2019s answering questions about the story, tracking the words on the page or recognising rhymes, reading books that your child has selected themselves is key to so much of what follows in their learning. Take the time to do so everyday. Not only will you be bonding with them, you\u2019ll be helping them on their reading journey by encouraging a lifelong love of books. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Navigation” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||80px||false|false” collapsed=”on” locked=”off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|10px||10px|false|false”][et_pb_post_nav in_same_term=”on” prev_text=”Previous Blog Post” next_text=”Next Blog Post” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_font_size=”19px”][\/et_pb_post_nav][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Author” module_id=”Head-of-Curriculum” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f2735c” custom_padding=”1px||0px|||” locked=”off” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”0px|10px||10px|false|false” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ admin_label=”image” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”50px||50px||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”margin: 23px auto;”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fromapixel.com\/lcentralold\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/LCentral-English-Enrichment-Tuition-Singapore-Blog-Developing-Pre-reading-Skills_Head-of-Curriculum.jpg” title_text=”LCentral English Enrichment Tuition Singapore Blog Developing Pre-reading Skills_Head of Curriculum” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ admin_label=”text” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”69px||50px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”justified” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-56px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet”]James Patterson has been working as an educator in Singapore since 2014 and teaches at LCentral\u2019s Bukit Timah. He has a sound understanding of phonics, and over the years he has helped many children on their journey to becoming independent readers. James understands the pressures and difficulties of the MOE English syllabus and strives to inspire each of his students to reach their potential. He is passionate about the importance of regular reading and the role it can play in the development of young learners\u2019 vocabulary, grammar and writing skills.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pre-reading skills can be easy to nurture and will lay the foundations for reading success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4816,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","content-type":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"table_tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n