EK> Does anyone have any experience in different methods of
EK> teaching small children how to read? What do you think
EK> about Whole Language vs. Phonics for a 5 year old who has
EK> just started to learn? If he is being taught at school
EK> with W.L. approach, and at home with Phonics, would it be
EK> confusing, or they enhance each other?
All strategies work in part. Some kids do best with just one. Others benefit from using the full spectrum.
There is a lot to be said for observing which strategies each child picks up best.
The best strategy of all to foster the interest in reading that makes any other method work for almost any kid is to have a parent and teacher who share (i.e. read aloud) daily. I'm sad when i hear of kids as young as six, seven and eight whose parents have stopped reading to them because they assume that, after starting school, the kids can read.
