The top ten myths of reading are a pet peeve of mine.
Let me debunk the myths and show you the right way to do it easily and well.
(These were also listed as part of the Spy Code Book in the appendix of It's Not Rocket Surgery! Vol. 1, “Catching Humpty Dumpty.”)
Traditional ways of learning aren't always the best, and don't work for many kids. Most of us make these reading mistakes. The truth seems counter-intuitive at first. Teaching phonics early the right way brings out a child's imagination and opens the world of possibilities for the future.
Myth 1. Teach the letter names, like in the alphabet song.
Truth: Instead, teach only the letter sounds. Do NOT teach the letter names. It is confusing to young children that the letter name u (you) doesn't say the sound "y" (yuh), the letter name y (why) doesn't say the sound "w" (wuh), and the letter name w (double-you) doesn't say the sound "d" (duh). Teach only one sound per letter to start, the sound given in the picture. Children easily pick up the alternate sounds and the letter names later. Keep it Simple for Success (KISS your child) with TGM.
Myth 2. Teach the capital letters.
Truth: Instead, teach only the lower case letters, at first. They are the most common in written language. Children easily pick up the capital letters later, too. Again, Keep it Simple for Success.
Myth 3. Wait until the child is older, can talk, etc.
Truth: Instead, start my phonics as young as 18-24 months old. The Godfrey Method picture-letter phonics cards can and should be used with young children and preschoolers. The earlier their minds are stimulated, the better. Don’t worry if a small child can’t say some sounds yet like, k, g, l, or r. S/he will still understand the phonics cards, and will improve pronunciation with time.
This will also help prevent dyslexia, since speech problems are a precursor of it. It’s best to teach the picture-letter phonics cards before kindergarten, but they can help older children come up to speed, too. The Godfrey Method picture-letter cards can be found in the appendix. An enchanting, colorful version can be found in my books, A Funny Boy Was Prince River.
This will also help prevent dyslexia, since speech problems are a precursor of it. It’s best to teach the picture-letter phonics cards before kindergarten, but they can help older children come up to speed, too. The Godfrey Method picture-letter cards can be found in the appendix. An enchanting, colorful version can be found in my books, A Funny Boy Was Prince River.
Myth 4. Teach sight words.
Truth: Instead, teach only by sounding out words. Phonics structure the brain properly for maximum reading capability. Phonics actually heals the dyslexic brain. I have never met a phonics reader who couldn't sight-read, but have met plenty of adult sight-readers who couldn't decode an unfamiliar word. They get embarrassed and must guess.
Teaching children to guess based on context is one of the worst practices in schools. About 80% of English words are phonetic and follow the spelling rules for sounding-out, with about 20% of words having to be memorized.
We call the words that don’t follow the rules, ‘Platypus Words’. Platypus animals have features that don’t follow the normal rules of taxonomy. When explained, children understand this concept very quickly when they begin reading. There is a list of beginning-platypus sight-words in the appendix.
Myth 5. Finish the whole alphabet before making words.
Truth: Instead, start making small words with known letters as soon as possible. Children don't have to know all 26 letter sounds to start blending some together. Try making simple 2- or 3-letter words as soon as possible. There is a wonderful beginning-word list in the appendix.
Truth: Parents may not be spending enough time with the child one-on-one. Instead, parents must spend quality time teaching phonics to their kids. You must spend such time with your children for their best progress and growth. Children who can read before kindergarten feel much more confident in school and are happier. Use the picture-letter phonics cards as often as possible. The minimal amount for success is about once a week. Much more is recommended, even daily if desired.
Myth 7. Make the child respond or reply.
Truth: Never use force, punishment, or criticism. Instead, have no control issues or power struggles. Use no anger or shame. Do not pressure the child to perform. Stay calm. When the child wants to stop, then STOP. Pick it up later. At first, go through all the cards aloud without expecting the child to repeat after you. When s/he is ready, s/he will repeat after you on his/her own. Eventually s/he will say the sounds and words without your help. Keep it fun.
Myth 8. Use baby talk or simple words only.
Truth: Instead, raise your kid's vocabulary by using normal language. The picture-letter cards in A Funny Boy Was Prince River and accompanying story will increase a child's vocabulary. A two-year-old will not know what a quail or a yak is. S/he learns about them as you say them. Take every opportunity to reinforce and point them out on television, in a magazine, at the zoo, or in the countryside.
Myth 9. Reading is just a mental activity.
Truth: Touch and other senses should also be used with reading. Instead, use tactile or kinesthetic teaching and have the child touch and trace each letter. On the picture-letter phonics cards, you touch your finger on the card under the letter on the left and say the sound, then touch under the picture on the right and say the word of the picture. Example: (as you move your finger from left to right) say, "ă, apple." Later let your child touch them.
Myth 10. Let the child ‘discover’ reading.
Truth: This is not teaching the right way (as proven by PFT in Chapter 5). Instead, follow The Godfrey Method exactly as found in the book, A Funny Boy Was Prince River. The unique PICTURE-LETTERS are the first part of making phonics connect with a child (which squiggly line makes which sound). Each card has a letter and a picture, made from the letter shape, which begins with the proper letter sound. The second part is the WAY they are taught, which is just as important. Then follow-up with the rest of the HELPS in It’s Not Rocket Surgery!
I would love to hear your success stories. If you have questions or comments, please contact me at shannahbgodfrey@gmail.com
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