Babies learn to walk 1 step at a time.
Babies learn to speak 1 word at a time.
Babies can also learn to read 1 word at a time!
Language is learned through repeated and meaningful exposure to it. But I’m not only talking about the spoken language, I’m talking about the written language (and any other language for that matter). If children are capable of learning to speak by listening to the words with their ears and seeing what those words mean or represent, children should be just as capable of learning to read by seeing those same words with their eyes and seeing what those words mean or represent. But they need our help. They need us to read those words out loud to them and show them what those words mean.
Here’s a simple example and some tips to get you started:
If you take your baby for a stroll or a walk, point to each STOP sign you see, stop and say “STOP” and add “we must STOP now and check for cars” or something similar. If you go to a store or a restaurant, point to the OPEN sign and say “OPEN” and add “let’s OPEN the door and go inside”. Similarly, if you see a CLOSED sign, say “CLOSED” and add “it’s CLOSED now, we cannot come in”. When you see a door with the word “PULL” on it, say “PULL” and add “we must PULL the door handle to open the door”. Do the same with other signs and words you and your child encounter. Do this everyday and everytime, until your child takes over and starts doing it by themselves.
The more you do it, the better. Also, point those words out if you see them in a book. This way your child can make the connection between the words in the signs and how they apply in the story book you are reading. You will be surprised once your little one starts reading those words back to you!
Remember: Words don’t read themselves! You need to read the words to them and show them what those words mean.
I know it may sound obvious to you. But, we as adults sometimes take things for granted and often forget that even the simplest things can make a huge impact in our little one’s lives. We are so busy with our errands, rushing through every task or activity, or we are so tired that we usually take so many shortcuts that we don’t realize that children are still new to this world and need an explanation and introduction to every new thing, new place and new situation they encounter.
You can get these FREE PRINTABLE Street Signs with words like STOP, SLOW, GO, EXIT, SPEED LIMIT, and more. You can print them and laminate them or print them in card stock paper so that they are a little sturdier. Then add a long wooden stick as a handle or use tape to put the signs on a wall. And there you have a sign you can use to teach these words to your little one!
Don’t forget to check out the SHOP, for other fun ways to teach your child to read 1 word at a time.