Nathaniel Said:

Is rhyme important in teaching young children to read?

We Answered:

Hearing rhymes helps young children to develop a sensitivity to sounds in words and is very valuable in learning to read. Check this web site for a little more detail:
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/ECRR/ecrrinp…
Say simple poems and sing simple songs with your child. Check this web site for some songs and finger plays:
http://www.preschooleducation.com/song.s…
Your child will love these songs and activities. When you see how it works, make up your own. You can incorporate rhymes, music and songs daily into your routine and your child will enjoy it and so will you! Go to the library and ask for rhyming books. There are lots of them and they are so much fun. Dr. Seuss books are fantastic. Also, see if they have Lynley Dodd's Hairy McLairy books. They were favorites of my own children.

Your child won't understand rhyming well enough at first to make up his own rhymes, but he will gradually catch on and soon he will be able to rhyme words himself. Remember, rhymes don't have to make sense. They can be just sounds, so when he says "dog-mog...does that rhyme, Mom?" the answer is Yes, it does rhyme! Go for it. You will be helping your child learn to read while having a lot of fun!

Jimmie Said:

how does teaching your children to read improve society (in historical context)?

We Answered:

if the children are uneducated, when they grown up, what is the course there society will take? they need to have children growing up with information, whether that be reading writing or understanding the development of the world. it helps them become stronger more intelligent leaders, to allow their society to thrive

Theresa Said:

Calling all you teachers in the UK. At what age or in what year do schools stop teaching children to read?

We Answered:

up to year 3 (age 6/7) this is a core mission of the teachers

up to year 6 (age 10/11) slower learners still get plenty of support

year 7 onwards - after this age there is pretty much a 'sink or swim' approach in secondary school although there are thoughts about keeping under-performing year 6 pupils back a year if they have not attained suitable minimum standards

what beats me is that kids who have literacy problems are then being taught another language in secondary school when the time would be better spent in giving them more literacy lessons in the ENGLISH language

Jacob Said:

Teaching children to read?

We Answered:

Look into Montessori methods. They're brilliant, applicable, and really work!

Katrina Said:

I am working on an assignment about teaching children to read in a fun way. Do you have any ideas?

We Answered:

As far as motivation, sometimes children like to act out the story and read special parts aloud. Sometimes my grandchildren and I get silly and intentionally say the "wrong" word or two before we say the correct word. Maybe I am not clear on what you mean by reading in a fun way. Silent reading may take place in a special area like a rocking chair, on a pillow, in a tent, etc. Just sharing the excitement for reading or reading for a special purpose such as actually making pancakes can be fun too.