Resources for Kindergarten Reading: An Essential Guide for Parents and Teachers

Introduction:

Reading is one of the most important skills that children can develop. Kindergarten is a critical time for children to establish a foundation for reading success. As a parent or teacher, you can play an important role in preparing your child for success in reading. With so many resources available, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this article, we will guide you through the different types of resources that are available and help you find the best resources for your child.

Finding Resources:

The first step in finding resources for your child is to understand your child's reading level and needs. This will help you determine which resources will be most beneficial. You can talk to your child's teacher, attend parent-teacher conferences, and participate in school events to gain a better understanding of your child's reading progress.

Types of Resources:

There are many different types of resources available to support your child's reading development. Some of the most popular types of resources include books, online resources, library resources, and teacher resources.

Online Resources:

Online resources offer a wide range of materials that can support your child's reading development. From reading apps and websites to videos and games, there are many options to choose from. Some popular online resources for kindergarten reading include Reading Eggs, Starfall, and ABCmouse and of course our favorite readingteacher!

Library Resources:

Libraries offer a wealth of resources to support your child's reading development. From books and magazines to educational videos and games, libraries have everything your child needs to develop a love of reading. Most libraries also offer story time events and other reading-based activities that can help your child develop their reading skills.

Teacher Resources:

Your child's teacher can also be a valuable resource for finding reading materials and activities. They may have a list of recommended books and other materials, as well as suggestions for activities and exercises that can help your child improve their reading skills.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, there are many resources available to support your child's reading development in kindergarten. From books and online resources to library and teacher resources, there is something for everyone. By taking the time to understand your child's reading needs and find the right resources, you can help them establish a foundation for reading success. Remember to also encourage a love of reading by making it fun and engaging for your child.

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What is an Emergent Reader? Plus: 4 Strategies to Support Emergent Readers

Whether you’re a parent or educator, you’ve likely stumbled upon the term “emergent reader” at some point in your student’s reading journey. This phrase is frequently used - but not always clearly defined. Today, we’ll unpack what it really means to be a student in the “emergent stage” of reading, and describe how literacy resources can best support emergent readers.

What is an Emergent Reader?

Emergent readers - sometimes referred to as “beginning readers” - are defined as students who cannot yet read independently but are gradually acquiring the skills of literacy.

For an emergent reader, every step counts. No two readers are alike, but the majority of emergent readers share some key similarities:

Most emergent readers are in kindergarten or first grade, although this standard has shifted since the pandemic & subsequent introduction of remote learning. Research is beginning to show that distance learning had a negative impact on elementary reading skills.
They may not write comprehensible sentences, but when asked to write down their address or name, for instance, emergent readers may write a string of scribbles.
- This shows a baseline understanding of writing as a way to share information.
Emerging readers may point out commonly used words and letters in their everyday worlds, such as words on signs (“Walk!” “Stop!”) or the first letters of their names.
Emerging readers may be ready to practice high-frequency words or sight words. They’ve learned the alphabet and may pretend to read familiar books.

Reading is not a one-size-fits-all process, and every emergent reader will vary slightly in their abilities and rate of progress. While most emergent readers read below a 4th-grade reading level, they’re making tangible steps toward reading fluently.

Emergent Reader vs. Beginning Reader

Beginning readers and emergent readers are often used interchangeably. That said, the definition of an emergent reader emphasizes the ultimate “emergence” of fluent readers, ideally with the support of a phonics-based reading program. To break it down further, some educators recognize the category of early emergent readers, who range from 6 months to 6 years old and are just beginning their reading journeys. Compared to early emergent readers, you’ll know your student is becoming a fluent reader when they show some of the following signs:

A strong understanding of phonics
The ability to read aloud, sometimes with help from an adult
Decoding skills, which allow readers to unpack more complex sentences
Progression from picture-heavy books and decodable readers to books with increasingly large chunks of text
An interest in nonfiction and fiction books that cater to their unique interests - and an eagerness to try reading them on their own!

Resources for Emergent Readers

Regardless of where your student stands in their reading journey, most young readers will benefit from the types of resources designed specifically for readers in the emergent stage. These resources often focus on word recognition, decoding ability, and phonics skills: all of which children need to make the transition to reading fluently. When looking for the best resources for emergent readers, look for curricula and programs that use the following strategies:

1. Direct and explicit instruction, especially for phonics. This may include detailed explanations, modeling independent reading, and guided reading practice.

2. Handwriting instruction: evidence suggests that regular handwriting practice is crucial to support emergent readers and students with reading disabilities.

3. Word blending and segmenting. Emergent readers should be learning how to blend words, which means that they’re able to put individual sounds together to form a word aloud.

a. In addition to word blending, emerging readers will gradually learn how to parse out the individual sounds or phonemes in a word: a process known as word segmentation.

4. For an emerging reader who is struggling to grasp basic literacy skills, spending instructional time on the relationship between sounds and letters - often referred to as “phoneme-grapheme mapping” - is crucial. A solid foundation in phonics is necessary before readers can progress confidently from the emergent stage.

a. Based on recent research on the science of reading, it’s best to introduce students to new letters as quickly as possible: to maximize their exposure, experts recommend teaching at least two new letters per week.

Reading Teacher offers a variety of tools to support emergent readers. With a focus on decodable words and phonics, we’re especially attuned to the foundational needs and varied skills of emergent readers. Above all, emergent readers will benefit most from fun, engaging, and interactive reading activities that foster their desire to read and learn, even before they achieve fluency.

Take-Aways:

Emergent readers are defined as students who cannot yet read independently, but show an interest in reading, writing, and a basic grasp of the alphabet.
Emergent readers are commonly referred to as beginning readers.
The best reading resources for emergent readers will use direct and explicit instruction to teach handwriting, word blending & segmentation, and phoneme-grapheme relationships.

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