The Woodlands Learningrx Suggests Ways to Help Young Children Start Reading

Making the most out of Environmental Print: The Woodlands LearningRx suggests ways to help young children start reading

Environmental print is all around us – and it can become a valuable tool when teaching children how to read.

Kim Bellini, owner and director of The Woodlands LearningRx, explained that the term describes the printed materials available all around in everyday life – including signs, labels and logos.

For example, environmental print includes the K in Kmart, the M in McDonalds, street signs, candy wrappers and labels on cereal boxes.

“For beginning readers who are still trying to understand the connection between letters, sounds and meaning, environmental print can help immensely,” Bellini said.

She said parents can take advantage of books, calendars, billboards, containers, coupons, greeting cards, menus, magazines, posters and recipes.

“Children recognize the logos of their favorite fast food restaurants or frequently visited stores long before they can actually read the signs,” Bellini added. “Your child is looking at the or shape of the word, checking out all the details, colors and patterns. This is a beginning step for a child who is developing the concept that meaning can be created by graphic representation – the written word.”

Parents can use environmental print to make reading into a fun game. Here are a few of few of her suggestions:

-- Pick a sign to focus on during a car trip. Get your child to count the number of those signs seen on the drive. Ask your child to identify the letters and discuss which sound each one makes. Repeat every time you see the sign.

-- Go the grocery store and head to the cereal aisle. Ask your child to find letters from his or her name on one of the colorful boxes.

-- Create a letter basket. Find upper- and lower-case letters in environmental print and mix them up in basket. Ask them to separate them by category or search for certain letters.

-- Use your digital camera or smartphone to take photos of signs and logos. Then make a slide show or print out a small book for your child to read.

-- Incorporate environmental print into a round of “I Spy.” This will train your child to look for words while taking a walk or riding in a car.

“Learning is more effective when you use familiar tools with your children,” Bellini said. “They already see logos and signs everywhere – why not capitalize on that and help children learn how to read faster.”

Helping children reach their full potential is one of the chief goals of The Woodlands LearningRx, a brain-training center that offers unique programs to transform a student’s ability to learn at a core level. The center is located at 4840 West Panther Creek, Suite 205.

For more information, call 832- 482-3082 or visit learningrx.com/the-woodlands.

About LearningRx?LearningRx specializes in identifying and correcting the underlying cognitive skill deficiencies that keep people from achieving their full potential in school, business or life. The program was pioneered by Dr. Ken Gibson. Using a comprehensive skills assessment test and intensive one-on-one training, certified trainers quickly and effectively enhance weak cognitive skills such as attention, memory, processing speed, and problem solving. For more information, visit www.learningrx.com/the-woodlands.
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Attached photo courtesy of The Woodlands LearningRx.