How to Teach Young Children to Read With Cue Cards

Nov 8, 2011
Heather Wood

Get your child reading at a young age. - John-Morgan

A how-to guide on utilizing cue cards to teach your young child to read.

Cue cards can be a learning tool to help teach your child to read. According to the Family Education website, a combination of methods should be used to teach a child to read. As you try different methods, you can discover the one that your child responds to best. Along with cue cards, read to your child every day. This helps build his vocabulary and encourages her to read independently. Purchase a stack of cue cards, reading books and tape to teach your child reading skills. Set aside an hour or so a day to work with the child. Choose a quiet area to help him stay focused on the program.

Reading Readiness

Determine your child’s readiness to read. According to the Succeed to Read website, by ages 3 to 4, children build larger vocabularies and learn to rhyme. By the time a child reaches first grade, he is taught how to blend sounds together, memorize sight words and begin to read simple sentences. These ages are averages; each child learns at a different pace.

Object Cues

Write the name of objects that you have around the house on cue cards. Tape the cue cards to the objects and look at the objects with your child. Ask her to look at the word and sound it out together. Try to choose objects that interest the child such as toys and food items.

Review

Remove the cue cards from the objects. Once your child recognizes the word, you may remove it from the object. Review the cards regularly to keep them fresh in his memory.

Move on to Reading Words

Print two to three phrase words on cue cards. Pick the words from a book appropriate for the child’s age and reading level. Teach these words to your child.

Sentence Learning

Put sentences on cue cards. Once the phrases are mastered, move on to full sentences from the book. Read the sentences to him twice, read it together twice and then ask her to read the sentences to your twice suggests the Succeed to Read website. Locate the sentences in the book and ask her to repeat them. When she is ready, entire paragraphs can be taught using the same method.

If you hit a roadblock while teaching your child to read, don't feel discouraged. He may not be ready and need to learn at a slower pace. Work along with teachers to find the best method for your child.