Each month, we here at Red Cat Reading bring you the best new resources for learning to read for FREE! Learning to read can get stale when you’re reading and watching the same educational videos and lessons over and over. Red Cat Reading brings new phonics videos, reading and writing lessons, and educational songs every week! This month, we’ve shared …
Top 8 Hardest Phonics Sounds!
When teaching phonics to young children, there are going to be times that they might have difficulty with certain areas. Since all children are different, they tend to need help in different areas. However, many children struggle with some of the same issues, making them easier to point out. In the case of the hardest phonics, usually the most difficult …
Teach Phonics: Short “u” Sound — for Parents
Introducing the Short “u” Sound “U” is the last of the vowels in the English alphabet. Like the other vowels, it has both a short vowel sound and a long vowel sound. The short “u” sound says “uh,” as in “umbrella” and “bug.” The long “u” sound, on the other hand, is a little less common. It’s heard in words like …
Teach Phonics: The Short o Sound — for Parents
The phonics short o sound is the vowel sound in “hop,” “top,” “mop,” “tot,” “pot,” and “lot.” Other o sounds are the long o, as in “mode” or “toad,” and the double o, as in “mood.” All these different sounds that one letter can make can be confusing for a new reader! The short o sound is the easiest to …
Teach Phonics: Short “i” Sound — for Parents
Introducing the Short “i” Sound The short “i” sound, which is the vowel sound in “hit” and “big,” is an important sound for new readers to learn. Start with words where the short “i” comes first, like “igloo” or “iguana,” so that your child can hear the “i” sound clearly. The short i sound says “ih,” as opposed to the long …
Cupcake Day: How to Have Fun Baking and Learning to Read
Cupcake Day can be an incredibly fun day for emergent and young readers. It’s also a great educational opportunity that will not only give your child a great boost in reading, but also allow you both to bond over a delicious dessert that you can make together! Whether you are choosing to use a cake mix to make your cupcakes, or if …
Celebrating Date to Create Day with Fun Reading Activities
International Date to Create Day We’re celebrating international Date to Create Day with a variety of creative activities you can use to help your child learn to read. Check out our many craft ideas for kids! Reading and creativity often go hand in hand when dealing with young children. There are so many crafts for children that you and your child …
Teach Phonics: Short “e” Sound — for Parents
Introducing the Short E Sound Short “e” is the sound that the letter “e” makes in the words, “egg,” “leg,” and “wet.” It is pronounced eh (as opposed to words like “meet,” “tea,” or “key,” which contain long “e” sounds, pronounced ee). The short “e” sound is very common, especially in the middle of words (like “pet”). That means there are …
Teach Phonics: Short “a” Sound — for Parents
The short “a” sound is one of the first sounds that many kids learn to read. It’s also pretty common, so kids get lots of practice! The short “a” sound is the sound at the beginning of the word “ant” and in the middle of the word “cat.” It’s pronounced “ah.” (The long “a” sound, by contrast, is the “a” …
How to Teach Phonics to Pre-Kindergartners — for Parents
As a parent, it’s always important to begin thinking about when you would like to teach your children to read. Some children who are already in pre-kindergarten programs or Head Start programs might already be starting to learn basics. For parents and guardians who don’t send their children to pre-kindergarten programs or who do not have access to such programs, …
How to Teach Phonics to Kindergartners — for Parents
While teaching young children in kindergarten phonics and the basics of any language isn’t the easiest task in the world, it certainly is one of the most rewarding. By helping children learn to read and embrace the spoken and written word, you are giving them a lifelong gift – the gift of a love of reading. Once children begin to grasp the concepts and …