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Hi Elahe-
In your mesage you ask the question.....
"What do you think about Whole Language v. Phonics for a 5 year old who is just starting to learn?"
Anyone who knows anything at all about whole language will tell you that phonics is taught in a whole language classroom....if they are not teaching phonics then they are doing a serious disservice to your child... However what you need to know is that the phonics are taught in a meaningful context....they are looked at within the story or chant or poem that the child is learning to read....If you have ever read Marie Clay (one of the leading experts in this field) she will be the first to admit that child
ren don't just MAGICALLY learn how to read...they need guided reading along with the shared community reading within the
classroom.
If you really want to teach your child phonics at home please don't but one of those little workbooks that are sold in the store.....Use the literature that is being taught in your child's classroom and have your child look at the letters....help you write a letter to one of the characters in the story....compare words to look for differences in the letters....etc....It is important to have your child begin to write since studies have shown that young children learn 90% of their phonics through writing abo
ut things that are meaningful to them...
be a coach to your child and help them through the process....good writers did not learn their craft through filling in missing letters on a phonics worksheet. I would suggest that you visit a local bookstore and try to find one of Marie Clay's parent books to give you ideas for activities to do with your child....
