I am not a trained teacher, but in 2004, I found myself teaching a child who couldn’t read a single sentence after two years of school. Curious about this intelligent child’s struggles, I began researching the issue. I eventually worked with over 80 similar students and noticed a common pattern: each child was sounding out consonants with an extraneous sound.
By teaching them the correct consonant sounds, they started to read successfully. Many of my former students have since become professionals. I then began assisting parents concerned about their children's reading difficulties. I asked them to record their kids sounding out consonants and encouraged them to correct the pronunciations. Soon, those children also began to read.
Recognizing that some parents struggled with reading or speaking English, I published a book designed for kids to read independently. Many families have benefited from this resource. LINK
For teachers and researchers wishing to verify my findings, I suggest asking students in grades 4 and above who struggle with reading to sound out consonants. I’m confident you’ll find they pronounce them with extraneous sounds.
To identify children who are likely to leave school unable to read, ask them to sound out consonants. Those who do so incorrectly should be taught the correct sounds of letters. This foundational instruction will help ensure all students can read at grade level.
Addressing these early literacy skills could also reduce misbehavior in higher grades, as many children act out due to feelings of shame. Research has recognized this issue for over a decade. LINK
Fluent reading leads to better comprehension and success across all subjects. While some children may still learn to read despite mispronouncing consonant sounds—often through patterns and analogies—it’s crucial to address phonics correctly.
The current educational landscape has contributed to this issue, with programs that mis-teach consonant sounds, even to toddlers.
I will soon share further evidence to support these claims.
Recently, I came across a report stating that university students training to become teachers could only answer 60% of phonics questions correctly. This highlights a significant gap in how prepared future educators are to teach reading effectively. Read more here. LINK
Here are relevant comments on LinkedIn I saw a few moments ago.
1. You don't need a master’s degree in early childhood education to see that a child can't isolate, segment, or manipulate sounds. (Nothing against people with master’s degrees haha!) Phillip Chipping Educator, Inventor, Writer
2. Judithanne Gollette • 2nd Educational Therapist and Advocate
Parents have fought for years to know why their child cannot read. I know because I was one of them. The elementary school tested my son three different times always coming back with the same response. Your son could read if he wasn’t “lazy”. Son finally diagnosed himself as we drove home from yet another assessment by a local university. He added to our conversation in the car, “mom, I could read if I could just understand the words!” This was a 13 yr old’s words after being involved in weekly tutoring sessions and not able to read a Golden book but memorized 1-12 times tables within 3 weeks. Five weeks later after attending sessions with an O-G certified trainer, he read the rolling credits after a movie on our tv. Our family was shocked to which he replied “COOL”. That is when I became not only just a parent with concerns but an advocate for all children to have the right to read!
We must mandate that all schools and teachers assess all students not just K-3. We’ve jumped over the other grades and adults that we failed to teach and have left school feeling they are “lazy, stupid, and dumb”. Adopted the mantra that reading is a civil right for all individuals! Start early but do not forget to include everyone
To be continued…
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