Helping your child learn and understand phonics is just as much your job as the teacher's job in the classroom. When you participate in your child's learning process, it shows that you support his teacher and think that what he is learning in the classroom is very important. To this end, there are steps you can take to reinforce phonics at home. Here are some ways you can do this now.

Reading to Your Child

One of the most effective ways to help your child learn to read is by you reading aloud to him on a consistent basis. Studies have shown that children who are read to from the earliest ages (as early as birth) tend to be better readers when they are older (Mem Fox, author of Reading Magic). There are other benefits to reading aloud to your child as well, such as it helps develops a bond between you and your child. It is encouraged that you continue reading to your child, even when he is able to read on his own. Reading should be fun for the child, or else he may take a disliking to reading.

Listening to Your Child Read to You

Take time each day to let your child read to you. Praise him when he is reading words correctly, especially new words he is just learning. This helps your child build confidence and self-esteem. If he stumbles on a word, teach him how to sound it out. Encourage him to think about what he is reading as well. If your child is stuck on a particular word, read it to him so he does not become discouraged.

Taking Advantage of Familiar Books

Do not hesitate to pull out books that your child has read in the past, or discourage him for wanting read something he has already read. This will help him develop fluency with reading and gain a better understanding of vocabulary words. It will also encourage him to read harder books to learn new words.

Stimulating Comprehension

When you are reading with or to your child, stop at various points in the story to ask questions. This will help you gauge if your child is comprehending what he is reading. Something like, "What do you think will happen next?" is a good question to stimulate your child's thinking, and shows that he understands what just happened.

Seeking the Teacher's Advice

If you have concerns about the pace at which your child is learning phonics, let his teacher know. Children are generally separated into reading groups based on their skill level, but that does not necessarily mean the teacher is catching if your child is struggling with reading. Ask what you can do at home to help with the learning process, and apply what she says. It is very important that your child is learning phonics and reading at an acceptable level for his age, or he may fall behind in later grades.

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