Sight Words: Why they help your child read

Although English has over one-half million words, a group of three hundred recurring words make up about 65% of all print. The first 25 sight words make up about 33%; the first 100 words, roughly 50%.(Research by E. B. Fry). 

The 1st ten are: the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it. All lists are the same and in the same order. Your school might call the list: Instant Words, Snap, High Frequency, etc.

Children need to know them on sight because stumbling over recurring words causes a child to be slow and fall behind. Many sight words look alike, have no clear meaning for a child, and many cannot be sounded out: does, goes, their, there, they're, were, where, though, thought, bright, etc. 

Learning these words in families, and in stories is the best way to plant these words in your child's mind. It is also the most effective way to master so many words in a short time.

It is normal for children to appear to learn their lessons then quickly forget them because new lessons are always bombarding them. This is why review is so important. Rereading sentences and stories, and word-hunting on any page of print, and circling words in used books your child can write in, are all good ways to review.

It is well worth it to help your child for 5-10 minutes daily with sight words.  Eliminate trouble before it starts. Waiting is never your friend, when it comes to reading.

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Thank you for visiting my blog. Write with questions.  Mary Maisner