Dr. B, my dentist, is such a riot! She almost makes going to the dentist fun!
I was sitting in her chair not long ago, complaining about flossing.
“You don’t have to floss,” she said.
“WHAT?” I said.
“You don’t have to floss all of your teeth,” she said.
“OK,” I said, sensing that the punch line was coming.
“You only have to floss the ones you want to keep,” she said.
Hah! I laughed so hard, I almost bit the little round mirror in half!
What Flossing Your Teeth Has to Do With Learning to Read
So what does flossing your teeth have to do with learning to read?
Well, as Dr. B might say, “You only have to practice the skills you want to keep!”
That simple idea brings us to the topics of this post: skills-based learning---which is what gives our Fun2Read program its teeth---and practice, which helps children keep and strengthen the skills they have learned.
What is Skills-Based Learning?
Skills-based learning is a step-by-step approach to learning. Each new skill builds on the ones that came before it, much like stacking building blocks. When children learn skills in the right order, they create a strong foundation that makes future learning easier, more successful, and more enjoyable.
So, what is the “right order”? The right order usually means learning simpler skills before moving on to more challenging ones. But it’s also important to remember that every child is unique. Children learn in different ways and at different speeds. What works well for one child may not work the same way for another.
At Fun2Read, we believe in meeting children where they are and helping them to grow
---one step at a time. By building skills carefully and confidently, children develop the tools they need for lifelong learning.
Why Is Practice Important?
Learning a new skill is only the beginning. To keep that skill, children need opportunities to practice it.
Practice helps skills become automatic, reliable and long-lasting. It turns something a child can do only once in a while into something they can do confidently and with ease.
When skills-based learning and regular practice work together, they create a strong foundation for success. More importantly, they help children turn new skills into skills they can use for a lifetime.
Making Reading Easier
Learning to read can be challenging because the English language doesn’t always follow consistent rules. Some words sound exactly the way they look, while others seem to have a few surprises hidden inside them!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have learning materials that are simple, fun, and easy to follow? Materials that teach children one skill at a time and clearly show them which reading patterns and rules they are learning?
That’s exactly what we aim to do at Fun2Read. We provide plenty of fun, engaging activities that give children the practice they need to strengthen each new skill. The more opportunities children have to use a skill, the more confident they become.
Our goal is to give children the building blocks they need for a strong start. Imagine your child beginning school already feeling confident and successful. And if your child is already attending school, imagine having tools that can help make learning easier and more enjoyable.
Our Tookit for Success at Fun2Read
• Skills-based learning
• Easy, step-by-step lessons
• Positive feedback and encouragement
• Stickers and rewards
• Certificates of achievement
• Plenty of practice opportunities
• Best of all---the fun factor---and
• The helpful TIPS below so you can keep the good times rolling!
Because when learning is fun, children are excited to keep going.
Oh---and on your way? Don’t forget to floss the teeth you want to keep!
TIPS:
Here are a few helpful tips for supporting your child:
• If it doesn’t work the first time, that’s okay—try again.
• See the Tipsy Tips post entitled [THE RULE OF THREE] for ideas on how many different ways you can use to teach your child a reading skill—but plan to give your child as many chances as they need to succeed.
• If something isn’t working, try a different approach.
• Break the skill into smaller, manageable steps—line by line, word by word, sound by sound.
• Slow down when necessary. Sometimes everyone needs time for processing.
• Not everything needs to happen at warp speed!
• Celebrate progress, even when it comes in small steps.
• Stickers are a visible way to show that progress, so be generous with them!
• Remember: practice isn’t about being perfect. It’s about building skills one step at a time.
• Every bit of practice strengthens the foundation for future success.
Thanks for joining us at Fun2Read!
And get ready to have fun!
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