Language is the way we understand one another. It is the way we communicate our ideas. And humans have perfected communication by the use of written symbols that we read and write — in other words, the alphabet. There are numerous languages on earth and multiple alphabets. The English language uses the Latin alphabet. We learn to read and write when we are young and the pleasure of doing this activity, a fun read, can be stimulated in this period in various ways.
A fun read can be easily achieved by using pictures, so that the child can understand the letters used for words and that the word means something in reality or a concept, a feeling. There are several ways of achieving this, such as: flash cards, fun books, and computer applications.
Flash cards are usually used in the first level. When learning the alphabet, pictures of objects or animals that start with that letter are used. So, the association of the letter with the actual sound of the letter in speech can be understood. Then there are cards with both the written name and the picture of the object and animal, or cards with just the name, which is to be associated with the picture, and in the final level there are only cards with words that are used to make sentences.
Books are the traditional way to begin reading. There are usually texts that are a fun read for the child and the texts gradually get more difficult. Also, there are numerous pictures so that the child can associate the actual story presented in words with a picture, thus stimulating the child’s imagination. An example of a fun read for children and adults alike is the illustrated collection of funny English bloopers in Funny English Errors and Insights: Illustrated (2010).
New technology with many computer applications is a fun, interactive way for the child to begin reading and to stimulate this passion. There are many applications, on different subjects and word domains, that you may want your child to learn. Some of the domains in the fun read category include self-description, magic, music, poetry, tongue twisters and bird riddles.
For example, there is a music application that is particularly a fun read for children. The application has different classical music composers, from which you can choose a particular one. For each composer, there is beforehand a list of words that the child is going to use. The application comprises a set of flash slides with a picture and a couple of sentences. Each word can be clicked so that, if the child cannot read it, he or she can hear the word and understand it. The images are usually small Flash applications that are related to the text. For example, for Peter Tchaikovsky, in The Nutcracker, the toys begin to dance the Sugar Plum Fairy’s dance.
So, if you want your child to discover the passion of reading, and improve their writing and improve their vocabulary, try to find a way to create a fun read, adapting books or computer applications to your child’s areas of interest, and adapt the level of difficulty.