The reading process is not something that is mastered overnight. It takes a concentrated effort on the part of both parents and educators to create an environment that is conducive to teaching a child how to read. That environment also needs to feel natural to the child. He needs to learn reading skills, without feeling like he is constantly being taught.

An understanding of letters and the sounds that they make is fundamental to reading words on a phonetic level. Start with the letters and sounds in the child’s name. Identify them and point them out around the environment. Find letters on signs while on outings and in printed materials around the house. Interactive TV shows and games slip in other letters and sounds, presenting them in a fun way. The more the child interacts with the materials, the more likely he is to remember the concepts.

Look for letters and words, including sight words, in books while reading throughout the day. Play games like “I Spy” to practice identifying objects that start with a particular sound or to find a letter in the environment. Learning to read is dependent on multiple avenues that include exposure to the printed word.