What are Phonics? Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by learning and identifying the sounds of different letters and combinations of letters. Children are taught how to: 1. recognize the sounds that each individual letter makes; 2. identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make, such as 'th' or 'ee'; 3. blend these sounds together from left to right to make a word. Children can then use this knowledge to 'de-code' new words that they hear or see. This is the first important step in learning how to read. Why Phonics? Research shows that when phonics is taught in a structured way - starting with the easiest sounds and progressing through to the most complex - it is the most effective way of teaching young children to read. Almost all children who receive a thorough introduction to phonics and who practice the teachings will have the skills they need when they encounter new words. They can then go on to read different types of text fluently, confidently, and without fear. What are 'pseudo- words'? The content contains a mix of real words and 'pseudo-words' (or 'nonsense-words'). Non-words such as 'fap' are important to include because they are new to all children. Children cannot read non-words by using their memory or vocabulary; they have to use their decoding skills. This improves their phonic ability. The Sound Learning Series: We strongly believe that every child loves to learn. Therefore, we focus on encouraging that love and nurturing the children's natural curiosity by offering increasingly more engaging and rewarding content. The Series starts with very basic activities but quickly graduates to more engaging ones that help children improve literacy skills continuously. As children master the right reading skills, this also lays the foundation for a lifetime of reading and, hence, of learning. Learning should not always involve "screen time" and we strongly focus on the age old and proven methodologies of worksheets, pencil and paper.
About the Author: Ms. Shal Ahmed, CFA, has over a decade of professional experience on Wall Street. Her Wall Street career has spanned prestigious firms like Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, Putnam Investments, and Goldman Sachs. Ms. Ahmed earned her undergraduate degree in Economics with a minor in Computer Science from Princeton University, and a graduate degree in business administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School. She is also an aspiring author and has published a number of books, including "I am Arden" and "A Boys Life in Verse" for young children. Ms. Ahmed is passionate about education and has now published material that she herself used to educate her boys, so that others may also benefit from having these materials to teach their children. She currently resides in CT with her family, including her three young sons