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(Learn As You Play) Playing with Sounds to Read – with Shann Acevedo

    Before our preschoolers can read, they need to build their phonological awareness. Learn how to build their pre-reading skills by playing with sounds.

    Shann has extensive experience in teaching preschoolers, and her ways of teaching sounds are phenomenal! From fun games to onset and rime and playing with sounds, get to know how you can improve your preschooler’s readiness for reading in an enjoyable way!

    How Shann Started Her Journey

    With 14 years of solid experience in teaching preschool, Shann’s journey to being known as the creator and owner of Learn As You Play started unintentionally. How did she create such a helpful community?

    Three years ago, Shann kept following teaching blogs about pre-reading skills. She started making her own blog as she infused her own beliefs and strategies with easy and budget-friendly activities. 

    Even if the blog was only for expressing her thoughts for herself, one of her posts reached 8 million people! The viral post started her journey in establishing a name by continuing her blogs until today.

    Why Is Phonological Awareness Important?

    By working in many different schools, she noticed what could be improved in the realm of reading. While the methods of schools are already on point, she magnifies the importance of play, which is the missing link that she’s trying to strongly incorporate in her content.

    Shann advocates that reading is essential, but it should also be fun. Most parents follow up with the question, “When is my child going to read?” but she cites that there are so many things to learn first before actual reading.

    Instead of bombarding preschoolers with flashcards, go with fun activities that do not feel like learning but playing! Children retain more information by doing and not by merely memorizing.

    Although repetition is an essential part of learning letters, repetition should still come in a fun way. Too many parents are concerned about having their children read as quickly as possible, but Shann sincerely believes this kind of expectation jeopardizes the need to undergo so many necessary steps.

    Creative Ways to Play With Sounds

    Playing with sounds is a vital part of learning any language. Teaching kids through games and in a playful manner is good for the student, but more so for the teacher!

    Preschoolers easily remember their lessons when they enjoy them in the classroom. One effective way is by teaching them compound words instead of breaking down long words into syllables. 

    A great example is introducing the word “football” instead of “caterpillar.” When you divide the word “caterpillar,” you are left with sounds that do not make sense (Ca-ter-pi-llar). But if you say football, you are left with two words that children identify instantly – foot and ball! 

    Follow Shann and Learn Her Easy and Fun Methods!

    If you want to hear more of her engaging and effective activities, make sure to follow Shann and join her membership! You don’t have to rush reading skills because learning is a process that requires time, patience, and best of all – fun!

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