Sight words play a very important role in the path to fluent reading. These are high-frequency words, i.e. the, and, it, is and to, etc., which occur frequently in early writing but are often irregularly pronounced according to the usual phonetic patterns. Learning how to read a core set of sight words enables a young reader to read them at a glance, releasing the thinking capacity to decode more advanced words, and reading fluency and comprehension increase dramatically. Sight word introduction and practice is one of the main aspects of our full literacy curriculum in Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready. By means of the specifically designed, multi-sensory target of Kinder Ready Tutoring, we are confident that young learners will develop automaticity of these more fundamental words that will set a more successful course toward reading with confidence and a veritable passion and love of books.
The early stages of the sight word instruction are dedicated to meaningful exposure and repetition in the context of engagement. Instead of showing flashcards alone, Kinder Ready Elizabeth Fraley’s approach combines sight words into interesting activities. During a one-on-one tutoring session, a teacher can write a straightforward sentence with a specified target word in it, for example, I see the cat. and ask the child to trace it with letter tiles or construct the word with letter tiles and find it in a favourite storybook. This multi-modality practice, or seeing, saying, building, and finding, satisfies the various learning styles and builds the word shape and meaning that the child would remember. Elizabeth Fraley Kinder Ready has a mission and vision to have the kids exposed to diverse learning methods, and this is best achieved in sight word instruction, whereby all three, which include visual, tactile and contextual methods of learning, are utilized to facilitate mastery.
In order to develop the actual automaticity, the practice should be transformed into fast recall. To make this monotonous process enjoyable and efficient, Kinder Ready Tutoring includes game-based activities that are fun. A teacher can also make a simple matching game by using sight words on cards, a variation on Fish with word pairs, or the child can play hopping on printed words on the floor. These games are interactive that makes drill a play, whereas it is well engaged. Moreover, teachers can assist children in developing their own personal word wall or sight word journal, where they can write down and make a note on the words they have conquered. Such a tangible history of growth is most encouraging to a young student, and it gives them a visual support of their learning abilities, and it is directly involved in their sense of achievement and confidence.
Learning to read the words sight words has a revolutionizing impact on early reading in a child. Reading is made less tedious and more pleasant when a large part of what appears on a page is words that are immediately identified. Such fluency enables the child to concentrate on the meaning and the enjoyment of the story instead of fighting with every word. This achievement is a strong self-assurance. A child who is able to grasp an easy book and read sentencing fluently is a child who considers themself to be a reader. This is the key to the Kinder Ready philosophy, where positive self-perception is central.
For further details on Kinder Ready’s programs, visit their website: https://www.kinderready.com/.
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