When teaching your child how to read and write, it is important to teach the essentials through phonics. Phonics is the way through which a child can build a connection between reading and writing,
The ability to write letters and to say the way they sound is really important. Every child must be able to build a relationship between these two. That is why learning phonics is an important skill.
In this article, you will learn about phonics and how to find a phonics class for your child in Singapore. Apart from that, you will also learn the importance of teaching phonics to young children. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
What Is Phonics?
Primarily, phonics is an instruction method that teachers use with the help of which children are able to learn sounds and use those sounds to create letters and words. It is the concept that words consist of letters, and those letters represent sound.
Basically, in phonics instruction, the teacher teaches children to decode words with the help of sounds. Here, the children learn how to make connections between the sounds of the language and letters of the written text.
Why Is It Important to Teach Phonics to Young Children?
The following are some of the most important reasons why it is important to teach phonics to young children:
1. Ability to Connect Letters with Sounds
Some children find it difficult to read and write from the start. This happens due to a lack of understanding of phonics. In fact, they fail to grasp during interactive readalouds or even simple reading at times.
However, once a child learns phonics, it gets easy for the child to connect the dots between the group of letters and the sound of the language. It is interesting to note that even though some early readers know how to say some words, they might not recognize those words in the text.
2. It Gets Easy for the Child to Learn a New Language
With an understanding of phonics, children learn the building blocks of spoken and written language. As a result, they are able to learn unfamiliar words from an early age. This helps them to acquire new languages faster.
You already know that with the help of phonics, children learn how letters in the alphabet of a certain language correspond to the language’s sounds. As a result, children understand the connection between the sound of the letters and the letters that they see on a page.
3. Better Letter-Sound Recognition and Vocabulary Acquisition
By understanding phonics, pre-readers get to understand written language better. Hence, there is a seamless transition into formal reading instruction. On the other hand, many phonics classes focus on bilingual books. These offer a unique and effective way to support early childhood literacy.
As a result, it helps to provide cognitive, social, and cultural benefits that help the child in the long run.
How to Find a Phonics Class in Singapore?
To find a phonics class singapore you have to consider the following:
Accreditation: Check the accreditation of the school before you send your ward. Basically, the accreditation is a sign of quality.
Teaching Staff: The qualification and experience of every phonics teacher are essential factors to consider when you admit your child to a phonics class. For instance, a qualified teacher knows how to comply with educational standards and cater to the needs of each student at the same time.
Curriculum: Of course, it is important to understand what the course covers. Also, you must check how the teachers are teaching the course to children.
Class Size and Atmosphere: If the class size is too big for one teacher, it is practically impossible for the teacher to look after every child. Additionally, you need to consider the atmosphere of the class. For instance, it needs to be friendly and welcoming for your child.
Examination and Monitoring: The school must be able to examine your child and monitor progress. Overall, they must ensure that your child learns all the necessary aspects of the course.
Wrapping Up
You can see from the article that learning phonics is essential for every child, especially if the child is learning a new language. However, it is important to find good phonics classes for your child if you want your child to acquire language faster. To find good phonics classes in Singapore, follow the steps in the last section.
Do you have any more suggestions on how to find a phonics class? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.
