The Power of Teaching Sounds

Did you know?…

When we teach 10 WORDS…children learn 10 WORDS…

BUT…

When we teach 10 SOUNDS….children learn 100s of new words!

When children learn the sound of 10 letters they can read…

350 - 3 sound words…

4,000+ - 4 sound words…

21,000+ - 5 sound words…

THAT is the power in teaching explicit foundational literacy skills. Combined with repetition and consistent practice - children learn to build a solid foundation for future success that wouldn't be possible without a solid foundation.

Learning the initial sounds, are an investment in future reading, spelling and writing skills. A solid and consistent knowledge of individual sounds that children can access automatically when reading and spelling, become the building blocks for unlocking language, one sound at a time.

5 years ago, when I took my Orton Gillingham training, I learned first hand how significant this impact was. And then as I began using it in my private work with children, time after time I witnessed how this solid foundation would support struggling readers. 

Without a solid foundation of initial phonics skills, it becomes increasingly challenging to keep up with phonics skills in upper elementary grades and beyond.

Rather than rushing through to keep up with grade level skills, we must create a foundation, and only then are students truly available to access the increasing curriculum. 

Children deserve focused time and attention on these skills to give them the best chance of success for the rest of their academic years and beyond. 

This is exactly why I love teaching reading instruction based in the Science of Reading. The Science of Reading is instruction based in how children's brains learn to read. Research is clear about what matters to teach in early literacy instruction: phonological awareness, phonics and word recognition, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. 

CONFIDENCE begins with a solid foundation and a sequential, systematic, multi-sensory approach to literacy based in Orton Gillingham methods. This solid start will instill in your child a solid foundation for growth - this year and beyond!

Happy back to school! 

Happy foundation building! 

Happy reading!

Ms. Schelzi