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How to Learn Words With Sight Games

In 1948, Edward William Dolch compiled a list of 220 simple words that are crucial for a child who is beginning to learn to read, including "the," "it" and "my." These sight words, or Dolch words, can account for more than 50 percent of written texts and often cannot be sounded out. Thus, your child must learn to recognize these words by sight, memorizing how they look and associating that with their sound and meaning. Mastering these words puts the child well on the way to reading fluency.

Things You'll Need

  • Sticky notes
  • Flash cards
  • Letter magnets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Print out a list of Dolch words. Notice that there are different levels of Dolch words for different grades or levels and begin accordingly. Share and practice this list with your child.

    • 2

      Read to and with your child. Choose simple volumes from your local or personal library, and point out Dolch words or other simple words as you come across them. Pause occasionally as you are reading and let your child identify some words. A favorite book is a good place to start because the child is familiar with the story and the words in it.

    • 3

      Place sticky notes around your house, labeling items such as "wall," "door" or "chair." Your child will learn to associate these words with the objects they describe.

    • 4

      Make or buy flash cards for items or words that you cannot label. Flash cards with pictures are preferable, so that your child can form an association between the word and the thing it represents.

    • 5

      Buy a set of colorful letter magnets for your refrigerator. Allow your child to play with them freely, ask him to spell out words for you or make words and have your child read them.

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