What is phonics?
Phonics is simply the system of relationships between letters
and sounds in a language. When your kindergartener learns that
the letter B has the sound of /b/ and your second-grader learns
that "tion" sounds like /shun/, they are learning phonics.
Why is phonics important?
Learning phonics will help your children learn to read and
spell. Written language can be compared to a code, so knowing
the sounds of letters and letter combinations will help your
child decode words as he reads. Knowing phonics will also help
your child know which letters to use as he writes words.
When is phonics usually taught?
Your child will probably learn phonics in kindergarten through
second grade. In kindergarten, children usually learn the sounds
of the consonant letters (all letters except the vowels a, e, i,
o, and u). First- and second-graders typically learn all the
sounds of letters, letter combinations, and word parts (such as
"ing" and "ed"). They practice reading and spelling words
containing those letters and patterns. Second-graders typically
review and practice the phonics skills they have learned to make
spelling and reading smooth and automatic.
Children vary in the amount of phonics instruction they need
and when they need it. Some children need very little phonics
instruction, while others still benefit from phonics instruction
in third grade.
What the Research
Says...
Recently, the National
Reading Panel, composed of experts in the field
of literacy, was asked by the United States
Congress to examine the research on the teaching
of reading. A subgroup of the National Reading
Panel reviewed 38 studies to determine what the
research says about the teaching of phonics. To
ensure the soundness of its findings, the
National Reading Panel chose to review only
studies that met rigorous criteria for research
studies.
The National Reading Panel determined that
the research indicates that phonics is an
essential ingredient in beginning reading
instruction and found that:
-
Systematic and explicit phonics
instruction--phonics instruction that is
direct and follows a particular sequence--is
more effective than phonics instruction that
is not systematic or no phonics instruction
at all.
-
Systematic, explicit phonics instruction
is most effective when it begins in
kindergarten or first grade.
-
Systematic, explicit phonics instruction
improves children's word recognition,
spelling, and reading comprehension skills.
-
Systematic, explicit phonics instruction
benefits all children, regardless of their
socioeconomic status.
-
Systematic, explicit phonics instruction
most benefits children who are having
difficulty learning to read.
-
Phonics instruction is only one part of
a complete reading program for beginning
readers. Effective beginning reading
programs should also emphasize reading
fluency, vocabulary development, and text
comprehension.
retrieved on Nov. 29th, 2009 at
http://www.pbs.org/parents/readinglanguage/articles/phonics/pbasics.html
