By: Sabine Borgia

“I feel happy that I can read books,” Kabir proudly tells his teacher.

Kabir Sanket Kavathekar, age five, was placed on an individually tailored, fast-track reading programme by our Kindergarten Team to successfully attain reading fluency. He attends two 70-minute Magic Phonics lessons per week with two teachers, combining our structured phonics booklets with the introduction of sight words and reading practice from i-Learner’s beloved Bugbug series and Oxford Reading Tree books to reinforce phonics sounds.

Starting at Level 2 in mid-September, he progressed rapidly, covering three booklets per week instead of the usual one. By December, his progress was so impressive that his teachers advanced him to concurrent lessons at both Level 4 and Level 6 each week.

Parents and teachers work together to improve learning outcomes

Kabir’s mum believes it is vital for parents and teachers to regularly keep in touch, so that parents can support their child’s classroom learning by reviewing the phonics sounds and sight words at home.

Kabir’s mum very kindly shared with us how she helped her son learn to read.

1. Set a regular time for 10-15 minutes reading every day.
2. Create a special reading spot with good lighting and cozy seating.
3. Review phonics sounds and sight words during short, upbeat sessions.

Activities and games to engage different senses:

a. Write phonics sounds and sight words in sand, salt or finger paint.

b. Play games using sight words on homemade flashcards.

c. Make “word walls” to visually display sight words.

d. Use magnetic letters on the fridge.

e. Mould letter shapes with playdoh.

f. Play “I spy” with the initial sounds in words.

g. Use rhyming games and songs.

Reading together strategies:

a. Mix reading books slightly below, at, and above your child’s level.

b. Ask questions before, during and after reading.

c. Encourage predictions about what might happen next.

d. Discuss characters, settings and plots.

e. Take turns reading alternate pages or paragraphs.

f. Read with different voices for characters.

g. Keep books for your child to read within easy reach.

Some parents may find teaching their child to read stressful, but Kabir’s mum urges parents to be patient and stay positive.

“Praise your child for their hard efforts, and acknowledge every improvement, no matter how small.”

Kabir was awarded i-Learner’s “Most Improved” Kindergarten Student accolade.