Awareness of Sound Patterns: Learning to Read through Repetition

Awareness of Sound Patterns: Learning to Read through Repetition


As you read your toddler’s favorite book to her for the 142nd time, reciting the words from memory, you may be pleasantly surprised to hear her joining in on some of the words or rhymes. With a sincere interest and enjoyment of Reading Books and Stories, it is common for 18-24 month-old children to start actively participating in their favorite books and songs, especially the ones they’ve heard over and over again.1 In fact, all of the time spent with you singing songs, doing finger plays, and reading books and stories helps to prepare your child for active participation as all that repetition helps to build, through her Awareness of Sound Patterns, her memory of words and phrases.

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At this age, you may also notice your toddler beginning to show distinct preferences. She will ask you to sing a favorite song, read a favorite book, or perform a favorite finger play until exhaustion, but that is all a part of the magic of this age. She’ll be tuned in to and excited about what she sees and hears. She doesn’t just want to listen to or learn about it; she wants to absorb it and become a part of it now. When you cannot read a favorite book to her, she may even decide to start “reading” the book to herself and filling in some of the words from memory!1 When your child looks back on her toddlerhood, she will likely have fond memories of these favorite books and songs because they have become so fixed in her young mind.

Play Tips:

Do you want to know how you can support your child’s development of these Awareness of Sound Patterns and Reading Books and Stories skills at this age? It’s easy! Read on for some simple tips to incorporate into your daily play time together.

  1. Add new twists to familiar songs, rhymes, and finger plays with your child. Keep things fresh and interesting when you repeat your toddler’s favorite books, songs, and finger plays. While playing her favorite song, invent a fun dance or new finger play motions to go along with it. When you read her favorite story, give the main character her name so that she can become part of the experience and more invested in learning the words and meaning of the story!
  2. Read stories that offer repetitive and rhyming words. Read stories to your child being sure to use intonation to give expressive meaning to the words and develop her Awareness of Sound Pattern skills. When reading rhyming books, pause before rhyming phrases and give her a chance to show off by filling in the rhyming part.
  3. Offer a variety of books and photo albums for your child to explore on her own.She will love going back to favorite books and looking at familiar pictures of things, people, and places she loves. If you create your own picture books and photo albums, be sure to select favorite and interesting subjects and label everything to highlight the corresponding word.

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Developmental Milestones:

Has your baby achieved the following Awareness of Sound Patterns and Reading Books and Stories developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all the skill(s) she has already mastered to date using Playful Bee’s developmental milestones tracker. It’s absolutely FREE and easy to use, just click HERE!

  • Completes sentences and rhymes in familiar books.

 

Sources:

1Maryland State Department of Education (2010). Healthy Beginnings: Supporting Development and Learning from Birth through Three Years of Age.

2Minnesota Department of Human Services and Department of Health (2007). Minnesota’s Early Learning Guidelines for Birth to 3.

Playful Bee

Education Team at Playful Bee
Playful Bee is an e-Preschool that delivers inquiry-based preschool learning from the classroom to your home. Our preschool curriculum was created by our talented team of rock star teachers. With years of hands-on preschool and Kindergarten teaching experience, they've developed a high-quality preschool experience that is convenient-to-use and easy-to-teach by you, grandparents, or your nanny at home.

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