Vowel 'i'

After learning the combination with vowel 'e', the next step is to learn the vowel 'i' combination.

Vowel i can be combined with consonants as b, d, g , m, n, p, r, s, and t.

Make small flash cards and write these combination on them.

i + b = ib (as in bib)
i + d = id (as in bid)
i + g = ig (as in big)
i + m = im (as in dim)
i + n = in (as in bin)
i + p = ip (as in dip)
i + t = it (as in bit)

After writing each of these combination on separate flash cards, sit with your child and explain him how to blend these two different letter sounds to make one single sound. Start with putting your finger on 'i' and then say the /i/ sound and then slowly slide it to 'd' and say the /d/ sound and then finally slide it to 'id' and say the /id/ sound. Do this exercise several times and then encourage your child to do the same. Go slow. After your child is thorough with these alphabet combination, you may jumble the cards and ask him to read them aloud.

As mentioned in the previous post, this exercise should be done at a pace that is comfortable to your child. It's very important that you do this every day, even if it's for just 5 minutes. Do not hurry. Only when you feel that he has understood how to blend a particular combination well, move to another one.

Next week, we shall talk about vowels 'o' and 'u'.

Have a nice weekend.