Visually recognizable words are commonly used words in literature that young children are encouraged to remember and recognize just by looking at them, without pronouncing them. Once a child learns all the sight words in Dolch’s lists, he can read 75 percent of the words in print in children’s literature. Do a Google search of Dolch’s lists to see all the words.
This article offers fun ways to teach these sight words using research-based strategies. Keep in mind that many children are more successful at learning sight words when taught in a small group or when practicing one-on-one with an adult or child with established skills.
Reading and writing sight words several times helps to convert them into the child’s memory. Reading or writing the same words over and over can be boring for a child. Here are some ways to make repetition fun by using turns or games.
1 – Pick a word, say it, and spell it five times in a row, then ask your child to do the same. Go back and forth until you are speechless. The last person to think of a word is the winner. Help your child if he needs help thinking or spelling his word. You can increase the excitement by having your child choose his word and you choose your child’s word. You can even turn it into a song, adding a melody when you spell each word. For a child who can write, you can have him write the word every time he says it. It may be fun for her to write the word on a chalkboard or chalkboard, in sand on a sand tray, in shaving cream, or on paper with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. You can join in the fun by writing your words on your turn. If your child still can’t write, ask him to watch him write the words. You can also have your child spell the words with magnetic letters, which can be purchased at any toy store or on amazon.com.
2 – Use flash cards (which you can create yourself on index cards or buy from amazon.com). Show your child the word, ask him to spell it three to five times while looking, and then three to five times without looking. Again, you can take turns making it fun, letting your child be the teacher at times. You can also use the same strategy listed in # 1, of writing the words each time you or your child spell out a word from the flashcards. You can create your own flash cards at home using index cards and ask your child or students to help out if possible. To take flashcards on the go, poke a hole in them and place them in a ring.
3 – Frequently read children’s books with your child. Depending on your level, you can read as she follows you, you can read to you as you follow, or you can take turns reading to each other. Children’s books have many words recognizable by sight from Dolch’s lists, so frequent reading will allow your child to see the words over and over again, helping her to save them in her memory.
Teach children to connect each sight recognizable word with a visual image. Having students connect what they read with a visual image of what the word represents helps memorize. Have the children draw a picture for each sight word or ask them to explain what each sight word would look like. You can turn it into a game. Here are some ideas:
1) Draw a picture and ask your child to guess and spell the sight word that he thinks matches his picture.
2) Have your child draw a picture and you guess and spell the sight word you drew.
3) Draw or put images (such as those from Google Images) on one side of a paper and write easily recognizable words on the other. Have your child match the words to the pictures.
There are also tangible games that you can create on your own, incorporating the help of your child or student if you wish. You can also print materials from the Internet or buy games to help children learn sight words. Here are some examples:
Sight Word Bingo: This game is like normal bingo. When you say the word, the child puts his token on his bingo card if he has that word on his card. You can create the cards on your own or purchase a game like Zingo Sight Words at amazon.com (Ready-To-Play Bingo On Sight).
Word searches: Many searches for words that contain sight words are available for printing on the Internet (do a Google search for “sight word searches”). You can also purchase word search books for grades K – 1 and 2 – 3 at amazon.com.
Splat! (Grades K – 1 and Grades 1 – 2) is another fun game that you can purchase from amazon.com or make your own version at home. Splat! It comes with 75 sight words and can be purchased for readers at the K-1 or 1-2 grade level. Players place cards in front of them. As the caller reads out each word recognizable at first glance, the players look at their cards. If a player has a matching word, they say “SPLAT!” and flip the card over. The first player to flip all of their cards wins. You can easily create your own tabbed version.
Detect it! (Available at amazon.com) – This game allows players to match pictures to words, pictures to pictures, and words to words, by detecting the match between cards. Strengthens sight word recognition, reading comprehension and increases vocabulary in English.
Side note * If you are a teacher, you can try all the above strategies and games with your students. You can take turns with your student if you are working individually. If you are working with a small group, you can let the children take turns with each other while you supervise or participate. Additionally, older siblings or peers with strong sight word recognition may also work with children who need to practice their sight words. Many children love the job of teaching other children and would also have fun playing games like the ones in this article.
Keep in mind that every child is different. Some respond to several strategies, others respond to a few, while others may respond to none of these strategies. If your child has a hard time recognizing sight words or acquiring other academic skills, despite constant practice and guidance, talk to your child’s school and / or doctor. They should be able to refer you to the right professionals to determine what might be interfering with your child’s progress and what additional strategies might help.
Always remember to stay calm when working with a child or student, even if you think you should be getting something you are not getting. If you get frustrated with them, they can start to feel anxious, angry, inferior, stupid, etc. which will lead to a less productive learning session. Keep sessions short (5-10 minutes for younger children or children who get frustrated easily and 10-15 minutes for older children or children who can work for longer periods without frustration), unless the child is eager to move on.
