Beginning Readers Start With Symbols
by Julie Halley
October 20, 2008
Reading is a skill. A student has to learn how to become a reader and practice those skills to become a good reader!
Before children learn that letters stand for sounds, they learn that symbols stand for things around us. Young children learn that a shake of a head can mean "yes" or "no." A big, yellow M means McDonald's. A red sign can mean "stop."
Symbols are extremely important for emergent readers to use.
Look around! Symbols can be found on almost everything, from pictures on public restroom doors to stoplights. It is our job as parents to help our children progress from reading symbols to reading beginning sounds then transitioning to printed words.
As a child begins to put letters with sounds, it becomes very important for you to read to them.
Make reading fun. Use it to start simple games in the car. Symbols can be found everywhere.
