The Context Machine

One of the first steps in becoming a successful reader is to learn to recognize the letters of the alphabet. The alphabetic principle teaches that spoken language is represented by written words that are made up of varying combinations of letters, and that these letters and combinations of them make up all of the sounds in spoken language. Attaching sounds to these letters and learning to write them paves the way to successful reading and writing.

Learning to say their ABCs is a great start for any preschooler, but it is just as important for your child to learn the sounds of the letters. Preschoolers, who know the sounds of the letters of the alphabet, have an easier time learning to read.

In order to read, every child must know the sounds of the letters as well as the shapes and order. More than that he must be able to recall them quickly. When he sees the letter he should be able to say the letter or vocalize its sound without hesitation. This should happen whether he hears the letters in order or not.

While the alphabet song can be a fun way to start learning the ABCs it is not enough because children also need to be able to identify each individual letter. In fact, this skill is much more important than knowing where it falls in the alphabet as it is the key in learning to read.

Research shows it is important for young children to be able to:

~ Recognize and name letters
~ Recognize beginning letters in familiar words (especially their own name)
~ Recognize both capital and lowercase letters
~ Relate letters to the specific sounds they represent

Knowledge of the alphabet is the foundation to your child’s literacy development and you shouldn’t assume your child will learn this skill in kindergarten. Waiting until kindergarten to learn the ABCs will put your child behind many other students and may cause added stress.

Children who can read independently “translate” alphabet shapes accurately back into sounds. If we want our children to be able to read independently, we needed to teach them:

~ The shapes of the alphabet letters;
~ The various sounds of each letter;
~ The sounds made by combined letters.

You can start teaching the alphabet when your child is young. My son mastered his letters by his second birthday and I helped him do that without flashcards and without whining! He loves working with his “letters” and even now as he approaches his fourth birthday requests a particular game or activity. He doesn’t know he’s learning-he just thinks he’s having fun with his Mommy.

There are many ways that you can help your preschooler learn the sounds and names of the letters of the alphabet.

You don’t need expensive tools and programs and in fact many of those can be counterproductive as they make learning work. My greatest success was simply to work on letters in context with the world whenever he seemed open to the opportunity. The alphabet became simply a part of our daily life including errands and play time.

Deanna Mascle writes articles to help you prepare your preschooler for school and life for her newsletter “Preschoolers Learn More”. You can find more tips to help you teach your child the alphabet at Teach Your Child The Alphabet

Breastfeeding is the ultimate gift of love that a Mom can give to a baby. The main reason for breastfeeding is, of course, to provide nutrition to the baby. Everyone knows that breast milk is best food for a baby. So far no formula or artificial substance has been developed that comes close to match the benefits of breast milk. Scientists have tried this often, but the original is still way ahead of any formula out there.

How about the spiritual and mental aspects of breastfeeding? If you haven’t yet had a baby, you are probably a little skeptical about the hype that surrounds breastfeeding. When starting with breastfeeding several problems can arise. The baby has to learn his part. Latching problems are very common. A woman’s breast also needs to get used to having a baby that is trying to get its share of food from your body. Statistics show that if a new Mom gives up on breastfeeding that this happens within the first 2 weeks after the little one is born. If you can make it through the difficult beginning, you are giving yourself a personal gift. The special feeling and the special moment when a baby latches to drink is something no man will ever experience. This is one of the special things that surround motherhood. The new Mom feels emotionally vulnerable shortly after the baby is born anyway and being to successfully breastfeed a baby is a way of Mother Nature to give the new Mom a little support she needs.

Having a little baby in your arms is one of the most wonderful feelings you can have. Going one step further with breastfeeding puts butterflies in your tummy. These are moments that will last forever and will shape the new you - a Mom. Enjoy the proud feeling; enjoy feeling the little one so close to you. Time will come early enough that this bundle of joy leaves your house to go to college and to move out.

About the Author

Christoph Puetz is a successful entrepreneur and international book author. Christoph operates a successful Pregnancy and Parenting Website. One of the other websites he maintains can be found at Pregnancy Announcements ecards.