Learning to read can be tough, especially when it comes to mastering sight words. These are words children need to recognise instantly, but many find it challenging to retain them.
What Are Sight Words?
Sight words are commonly used words that don’t always follow regular letter-sound patterns. Words like “was” and “should” are difficult for kids to sound out but appear frequently in books, which is why kids are often taught to recognise these words without having to sound them out.
Why Some Kids Struggle With Sight Words
Reading is a complex skill that involves multiple processes. Some reasons why children may have difficulty with sight words:
- Irregular Spelling: Some words don’t follow typical phonetic rules, making them harder to learn. Learning sight words requires children to memorise words as whole units, rather than problem solving by using sounding out
- Cognitive Load: Some kids may find it hard to keep up with the pace of learning when there is an expectation for them to learn lists of sight words. This can cause frustration and increase cognitive effort as they try to catch up with their peers.
- Retention Issues: Children need to store and recall sight words quickly. For some kids, managing this can be overwhelming, especially if they have weaker visual or working memory capacity which affects their ability to recognise and recall sight words.
The Role of Phonics in Reading Success
Schools are now delaying sight word memorisation in favor of teaching foundational phonics skills. Research supports this shift. A study by McCandliss and Noble (2016) found that children are better at decoding unfamiliar words when they understand letter-sound patterns. This approach reduces the strain on struggling readers by allowing them to use these patterns to decode new words.
Tips for Helping Your Child With Sight Words
Supporting a struggling reader at home can make a huge difference. Here are some practical tips to try:
- Use Multisensory Techniques: Engage your child’s senses by having them trace words in sand or use magnetic letters.
- Break Down Words: Even though many sight words can’t be fully decoded, try breaking them down into recognisable chunks. For example, emphasize the “sh” sound in “should.”
- Errorless learning: Is a teaching technique designed to minimise mistakes during the learning process, by supporting as much as you can and anticipating what the child will have trouble with.
- Create a Word Wall: A visual word wall can help reinforce memory as new words are added.
- Celebrate Successes: Encourage your child’s progress, no matter how small. This builds confidence and motivation.
- Incorporate Sight Words into Daily Life: Point out sight words in everyday situations like books, signs, and grocery lists.
Every child’s reading journey is unique, and it’s essential to approach struggles with patience and the right support. Focusing on phonics before sight word memorisation can build a solid reading foundation and make learning more manageable. Through consistent practice and celebrating small victories, even struggling readers can improve their skills and grow their confidence.
If you feel your child needs extra help please contact us.
