Teaching Kids to Read for Dummies - by Tracey Wood (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

You're thinking of teaching a child to read. What a great idea! Now all you need is exactly the right blueprint. This easy-to-follow book is written with two people in mind; you, and the child you're thinking of teaching. Mother and children's reading specialist Tracey Wood gives you all the down-to-earth, honest information you need to give a child a happy, solid start with reading.

Teaching Kids to Read For Dummies is for parents of young children who want to give their kids a head start by teaching them to read before they enter school or to supplement their children's school instruction, as well as teachers and caregivers of young children. Filled with hands-on activities that progress a child from sounds to words to sentences to books, this friendly guide shows you how to:

• Prepare a child to read
• Sharpen his listening skills
• Correct her errors graciously
• Choose the right books
• Have kids read out loud
• Find help if you need it

Whether the child you want to teach is two or twelve; fast paced or steady; an absolute beginner or someone who's begun but could use a little help, this empathetic book shows you how to adapt the simple, fun activities to your child's individual needs. You'll see how to make activities age appropriate, how to add more challenge or support, and how to make gender allowances if that's relevant.

Plus, you'll discover how to:

• Lay the foundation for good reading skills
• Tell the difference between a reading delay and a reading problem
• Help your child build words from letters and sounds, advance to short and long vowel words, and conquer syllables and silent letters
• Select entertaining workbooks, recycle them, and make up your own reading activities
• Get your child ready for sentences
• Keep your child reading -- with others or on his own

Complete with lists of word families, phonics rules, and reading resources, Teaching Kids to Read For Dummies will help you make learning fun for your child as he or she develops this critical skill!

From the Back Cover

Adapt activities to your child's individual needs

Make reading fun for your children as they develop this critical skill

Want to teach a child to read? This friendly guide offers simple, fun activities that help kids build words from letters and sounds, advance to short and long vowel words, and conquer syllables and silent letters, laying the foundation for good reading skills. You'll also see how to keep your children reading - with others or on their own.

Praise for Teaching Kids to Read For Dummies
"This easy-to-understand, roll-up-your-sleeves volume offers creative (and fun!) suggestions that will help parents and educators alike teach critical literacy skills to children of all ages."
--Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, Director of Professional Services, National Center for Learning Disabilities

Discover how to:

• Prepare your child to read
• Sharpen his listening skills
• Correct his errors graciously
• Choose the right books
• Have him read out loud
• Find help if you need it

Review Quotes

"...endless information...split up in easy-to-digest chucks.... As easy as ABC, then..." (Junior, December 2004)

"...an intensive aid...manageable chapters..." (BBC Parenting magazine, October 2004)

"...a whopping 336 pages full of useful text..." (Junior, October 2004)

About the Author

Tracey Wood, MEd, is a children's reading specialist. She has been teaching children to read and advising their parents and teachers for 20 years.