- 23 Jan, 2024
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- 2 Mins Read
Fine-Tuning Phonemic Awareness for Early Readers in Nigeria
Continuing our exploration of early literacy development, we turn our focus from the initial sounds of words to their final echoes. This progression is crucial in the phonemic journey of young Nigerian learners as they begin to grasp the complete sound structure of words.
The Progression from Beginning to Ending Sounds
Capturing the Last Note: Once children have mastered identifying the beginning sounds in words, it’s time to introduce the concept of ending sounds. This can be a bit more challenging, as the final sound often blends quickly into the next word or is spoken softly. To help with this, we use clear, exaggerated pronunciation to isolate these sounds.
For example, when teaching the word ‘bat,’ we emphasize the final ‘t’ sound. We ask, “What’s the last sound you hear in ‘bat’?” This encourages the child to focus on the phonemes at the end of the word, which is often an overlooked skill but essential for spelling and reading fluency.
The Challenge of Middle Sounds
The Center of the Word: With the first and last sounds understood, we approach the heart of the word—the middle sound. This is often the trickiest part for early readers. The middle sound requires children to isolate the vowel sounds that are frequently surrounded by more assertive consonant sounds.
In words like ‘pat,’ the ‘a’ sound is central. We emphasize the importance of vowels and their sounds, starting with ‘a’ because it’s one of the clearest and easiest vowel sounds to identify.
The Sounds of Speech
Mouth Movement and Sound Recognition: Teaching phonemic awareness is as much about listening as it is about speaking. We encourage children to pay attention to the shape of the mouth and the vocalization of sounds. For the sound ‘a,’ the mouth is wide open, and the sound is elongated, making it more distinguishable.
When it comes to identifying the middle sound in words like ‘path,’ visual and auditory cues are key. Watching how the mouth forms the sound and practicing it in isolation can help children to recognize and replicate the sound when they encounter it in speech.
What Comes Next?
Anticipating the Next Step: Once Nigerian children have a firm grasp of the beginning, middle, and ending sounds of words, they are well on their way to becoming proficient readers. The ability to isolate and understand each phoneme within a word is a crucial stepping stone in the journey of literacy.
In our next video, we will delve deeper into strategies for teaching middle sounds and helping children apply their phonemic awareness to the process of reading. Stay tuned as we continue to provide guidance and support for parents and educators in nurturing the next generation of readers in Nigeria.