How to teach my 3-yr-old son to read?

I think it would be hard because children see things pictorial rather then words. I remember when I was about three and four and 'reading' Alice in Wonderland. My mother must have pointed out the words, but if I saw the same words in a different context, i.e. if I saw the word, "Alice" in a different book, until I got to be six years old or five, The word 'Alice" was a different colour, in a different setting, so it was unrecognizable to me. So your son is the same way. He cannot distinguish the actual words. He has to see them in the same setting and he is more interested in the actual object not its colour. When he gets a little older, like around five, try teaching him phonetics, and showing the letters and sounding them out.

There are many instructional videos available in the net. My son learned from it just by watching those. At age of two, he can identify letters in any form. we further enhance his knowledge by using flashcards with pictures. We carefully explained to him what letter is that and what was in the picture. He can also idetify shapes, numbers and colors now. One best secret in teaching your kids is patience. Just be patient and I know your son will learn those things too.

While I think the flash cards is a good idea, I actually have my doubts that using pictures actually helps a child to learn to read. It helps them associate letters with pictures, but really I think they are just learning what the picture is and going from that. I think since he knows his abc's the next thing to do is teach him the different sounds of the letters and how to pronounce them. Like b is "bah" and a can be either "ah" or "ai." Letter pronounciation I think is you next best step!!! Good luck!!

If you talk a lot to him using real words (not baby talk), read to him on a regular basis and surround him with reading materials, he will learn. If he sees you sitting around reading books for pleasure, he will identify reading as something fun. Really young children usually don't know how to read. Instead, they will memorize books that are read frequently to them, so it appears that they are reading when really they are merely reciting. Don't push the flash cards. Drilling kids on things is a good way to kill their interest in them--and there will be plenty of time for his interests and love of learning to die once he goes off to school.

I agree with many others that the best way to teach children to read is to sit there and read with them, because it instills in them a love of reading. Also, let your child "read" to you by making up stories to go with the pictures as this encourages his or her imagination and creativity. It does not matter at this point that the children do not know the words, because this is the first step and it is what is actually taught in some pre-school programs. When your child has learned the alphabet, then you can start to teach him to write the letters. This will help him to really know the letters. After he is comfortable with identifying and writing the letters, then you can start associating the letters with sounds. For instance, "s" makes a hissing sound like a snake, which starts with the letter "s". You should not be working on trying to read words before he can associate letters with sounds as that is just memorization and not really reading, especially when the word is accompanied by a picture. It is a long process before he will be able to read, and at three years old he is already ahead of many children.

It's not easy but with the right tools and patience, it is possible. I also tried teaching my little girl how to read when she was 3, but until now, Im not succesful. I just can't get her attention to stay on focus long enough. All I have taught her were the basic ABC's and the letter sounds, which are pre-reading skills to learn. I'd leave the actual reading to her teachers in K1. YOu might want to check about "Your Baby Can Read" materials. Those have flash cards, dvds, and instructional materials to help parents teach their kids to read at a very early age.

I read a lot to my daughter which is supposed to be one of the best learning methods. However, you can teach letter sounds. For example, when you have the 'T' make the sound for T. When you read a book to him have him say one word that you point to (something simple like cat or the). Every time you come to that word. I've been doing that with my 2 yr old and it seems to be working. I'm hoping by 3 she will be reading on her own because she loves books.

Children quickly learn the imagination and play. The object of imagination had to be precise and have been known. If you show only yellow colors, chances are your child answered correctly. Just an idea.

Hi Jenith, I think the best way to teach him how to read is to is inculcate in him the love for reading. You can do this by first reading to him. Start with very simple and interesting stories. Once he starts to enjoy this he'll want more. Continue reading to him. It is hard work but you must persevere. Next encourage him to read. Soon he'll be reading like a pro!

Children of that age learned by memorizing and association. Don't push him too much. This might not be good for him. Learning must be an enjoyable event for him not frustrating.

Children should have a clear concept of colours , shapes & sizes ,animals birds andthings used in day to day activities before begining to read ,When my son was 5 yr,s old Iused to give him the newspaper and tell him to read the haedlies aloud ,saying Iwanted to hear him .Though my intention was to keep him away from mischief ,butthis helped him ,now he loves books .

Try to introduce a baby TV program, there are some nursery rhymes for the child to watch. It will help the child visualize the shapes, colors, alphabets, etc. We can not force the child to read at that age. There are some developmental milestones that is fast in some children, but not for the others. Try to search about normal developmental milestones.

At that age, the best way to teach the child to read through the use of visual aids ( photos, chart, alphabets, etc). The main concern as a beginner is the familiarization of the child to know the shapes, colors, count with fingers, etc. We can not force the child to read, especially if the child is still playful. Another, you can let your child watch an educational TV programs for kids or CDs with rhymes.

Thats quite cute, it shows he recognises a car for what it is. I would suggest with colours just have a block of colour on the flash card, or if you want to keep using the car, agree with him that yes it is a car, and then ask him what colour the car is. It could just be the confusion of him knowing something but being told something different. Reading to children and exposing them to books is a very goo way also point to words and repeat them. also when playing you can constantly teach your children about colours and items, the more things they recognise the easier it is as when you show them a picture they know the word and then can associate it with the written form. Every child is different and will learn at their own pace, just try to make it a fun experience so that he enjoys learning and try not to push him to hard. If he associates reading with a stressful time, the likelihood is he won't be very good at it because he will see it in a negative light. Keep it up, it will come soon enough.