Preschool beginning sight words
In the very early stages of learning to read, children can learn some beginning sight words. This gives them a foundation of words that they don't have to work to figure out. The first beginning sight words are important words to the child. Later, the purpose changes. Children begin to learn words that appear often in written texts.
What is important
- Child's own name
- Other important names (Mom, Dad, siblings, friends)
- Environmental print: logos, labels, signs
- High-frequency words
How to help children develop beginning sight words concepts and skills
- Model these important words. Point them out to the child.
- Make a card game with pictures of things that are important to your child. Make a set of cards with pictures (find pictures on the internet or take photographs). Make another set of cards with the labels for each picture. Then play a game where you and your child match the labels to the corresponding picture.
- Match the logos or labels to a picture that it represents.
- Write pattern sentences with simple words such as "I see ___." Make every page similar to begin with. Read the book together.
Early High-Frequency Words:
| I | go | see |
| like | my | is |
| and | to | the |
| a | you | it |
| in | said | that |
| she | he | look |
| up | at | for |
| on | have | we |
| am | little | big |
| can | down | not |
To see all of the skills in the experimental reading and writing stage, click on the links below
Letters and Sounds
Beginning Writing
Vocabulary and Oral Language
Concepts About Print
Phonological Awareness
