Your child has mastered phonemes. They understand graphemes. Now, they are learning to read. But how does that happen?
Learning to read is not an easy task, but with a proper foundation in phonics, the challenge becomes very doable. In fact, this is when children really grow confident in their abilities and put them to the test.
Basic Building Blocks I – Phonemes
Basic Building Blocks II – Graphemes
Confidence plays a big role in getting children excited about learning to read. When children feel equipped with training, they welcome challenges, unafraid to tackle words and concepts they never knew before. One part of essential reading training is blending and segmenting. If your child takes the time to practice blending and segmenting, your child is a far more likely to be successful at learning to read.
What is Segmenting?
Segmenting is when we break down words into their individual phonemes. For example, the word pig is made of phonemes /p/, /i/ and /g/. So, to practice segmenting with children, we take the word pig and pronounce the individual phonemes that correspond with the graphemes p, i and g. By segmenting or splitting/dividing/breaking words into parts, children grow more aware of what individual phonemes make the word. In this case, they learn that if we put /g/, /p/ and /i/ together but in the order of /p/, /i/ and /g/, we get the word pig.
Segmenting is important because it teaches children who are learning to read the method to attack large or unfamiliar words. If they encounter a word on paper that they have never seen before, their practice in segmenting helps them break the word down into smaller parts. This way, they can sound out the word. Keep in mind that this does not result in reading comprehension; children may be able to pronounce difficult words without knowing what they mean. Still, segmenting equips children with the skills to read on their own and not to shy away from difficult or unfamiliar words.
When learning to read, segmenting helps children practice their phonemes. It also helps them think critically about written words. They learn to separate a larger word into smaller parts, so they can figure out how to pronounce it, why the word is spelled the way it is and why it sounds the way it does. That way, when they encounter the same word or a similar word, they are better able to pronounce it, building fluency and learning to read more smoothly.
What is Blending?
On the opposite spectrum, blending pulls phonemes together. If we start with phonemes /p/, /i/ and /g/, we blend them to create the word pig.
Inevitably, children learning to read will run into an unfamiliar word. Segmenting teaches them to split the word apart into smaller pieces. Once they understand the phonemes within the word, they attempt to blend them back together for the correct pronunciation of the word. According to reading science, this is an excellent tactic and the reason why blending and segmenting work so well for children learning to read.
Blending and Segmenting
Word: Cat
Letters: c, a, t
Phonemes: c = /k/, a = /a/, t = /t/
Segmenting: /k/, /a/, /t/
Blending: /k/ + /a/ + /t/
Children learning to read achieve success with lots of segmenting and blending practice. This is also a very fun experience for children. Blending and segmenting are like puzzles. Children often enjoy learning how to spell their favorite words or create new ones. They are energized by their newfound ability to recognize words in signs and posters. It is also a wonderful time for children to get creative!
Why Blending and Segmenting Are Important to Children Learning to Read
Blending and segmenting should follow a curriculum covering phonemes and graphemes. These skills are crucial because they help children learn to read and tackle words they may not know.
Some educators do not believe in phonics. They believe that children learning to read only need a print-rich environment to improve skills. However, this is an ineffective method. This method requires students to learn every single word individually to know how to spell it and how to pronounce it.
On the other hand, phonics incorporates blending and segmenting. This method allows children learning to read to use their foundational knowledge in phonemes and graphemes. It allows them the independence to learn on their own and explore. They learn to sound out new words – and while they may not know what these words mean, it does not stop them from reading what they do not know. So, they encounter more new words, learn how to read more new materials and add to their vocabulary.
It is important to note that phonics alone is not enough to teach children to read. Children also must understand what they’re reading, so reading books and explaining the meaning of words is just as important – but this should always come after explicit phonics training.
Learning to Read Long-term With Blending and Segmenting
One of the most important aspects of blending and segmenting is that it is a skill that children carry with them for the remainder of their academic careers. At four or five years old, children can apply blending and segmenting to small words—cat, dog, pig, hat, etc. However, the same tactic can be applied by a seventh grader in middle school with a history reading assignment or a junior in high school learning about the elements of the periodic table. Blending and segmenting are used almost on a daily basis when it comes to reading and pronouncing words we do not know. It is an invaluable skill.
Join Professor Pup and His Friends Learning to Read
Blending and segmenting are some of the most common methods used when learning to read for any level. This is because they work effectively. Practicing and mastering these skills prepare children for long term success, and our goal at Professor Pup’s Academy is to make that process as simple as possible.
At Professor Pup’s Academy, we make it easy for parents and educators alike to help children learn these vital skills with bright, energetic, yet practical programs.
For children learning to read, we recommend Pup’s Quest for Phonics. With lots of games, fun characters and songs, children learn the relationship between phonemes and graphemes. They learn to write and spell. They practice blending and segmenting words, and they do all this while having fun. Best of all, no one feels left behind or left out. Professor Pup and his friends are with your child every step of the way. Professor Pup provides positive feedback, consistently guiding and encouraging children learning to read through each and every exercise.
Parents can download Pup’s Quest for Phonics on the App Store or the Google Play Store. The first five lessons are free, so you have plenty of time to experience the program for yourself!