Dear parents,
This week with my reading groups we worked a helpful strategy for reading longer words: looking at the number of vowels in a word, and checking if those vowels are separated — not joined together. If the vowels are separate, that often indicates different syllables. We ask the children to count the vowels, then split the word into syllables, and read the word syllable by syllable.
To reinforce this technique at home, we invite you to practice with them using any words you encounter — in books, on street signs, on labels, etc. A good way to practice is for you to say the word aloud, count the vowels together, divide the word into syllables, and then read it together slowly, syllable by syllable. With regular practice, reading long words will become much easier and less intimidating.
You may also watch together this short video that shows exactly how to “break” big words into syllables — so children can see and hear the technique in action. Thank you for your support: your help at home makes a big difference!
Best regards,
Viviana Paez- EAL specialist