Key Words with Ladybird

There are many words that cannot be read using phonics, these words are known as "sight words". For example, "one" and "two" are sight words. You should not try to use the phonics sounds to read these words, just point and teach the child to read the whole word.

The best books to teach kids to read sight words are the Ladybird Key Word series, or the Peter and Jane series.

Read here to learn about how these books work :
Key Words with Peter and Jane

Quote from Old Style Ladybird Books are word perfect
"The Peter and Jane stories of the 1960s taught millions of children to read before falling victim to more progressive methods in schools.

Now the Ladybird series may hold a lesson for today's generation after a study found that children need to master only 100 words before they can move on to books. "

You can find the books at all major bookstores in Singapore, like Popular, Kinokuniya, etc. Each book costs less than S$5.00.

Note :
Before starting on this series, it is best to make sure that your child knows all the phonics sounds of the letters very well, and know how to read 3 letter words using phonics. The best age to start to read the books is about 3 to 4 years old. I do not advise parents to use the books for kids below the age of 3, before the kids may not be ready to read words yet. Of course, there may be exceptions, some kids may be able to read 3 letter words very well at 2 years old, then it is fine to start them earlier on these Peter and Jane books.

Also note that these books are designed to let the child read out loud. Do not read these books over and over again to your child. Read my explanation below.


The first page of book 1a is very simple.

Then the child learns more words.



The new words are listed at the bottom of the page. Before you start a new page, point to the new words and teach your child how to read them. Teach him to read the word by blending the phonics sounds of the letters. If the word is not phonetic, meaning it is a sight word, just tell him how to read it.

Then start from the top of the page. Ask the child to put his finger under each word of the sentence. Let him try to read each word by himself. If he cannot remember how to read it, give him a few seconds to think before reading it for him.

Most young children need many repetitions before they can remember how to read a word. If the child has a very strong foundation in phonics, it will be very much easier for him to learn.

The same words are repeated throughout the "a" book. The "b" book uses the exact same words as the "a" book, but in a different story. After reading book 1a and 1b, your child would have read each word more than 20 times. So there is no need to make sure that your child knows all the words on one page very well before going on to the new page.

Book 1a and 1b use only 16 words :
Peter
Jane
and
here is
the dog
likes
I
a shop
toy
in
has
ball
tree

However, if your child cannot remember more than 50% of the words after reading book 1a and 1b, then it is better to start from the beginning of book 1a again and let him have more practice.

My boy cannot remember the words shop and toy after he finished book 1a and 1b. I let him continue to book 2a, because the words are repeated throughout the other books in the series. Here's a page from book 2a.

Here's a page from book 7a. My boy likes to examine the pictures and ask a lot of questions. I give him enough time, answer all his questions, before drawing his attention back to the words.


Here is a page from book 3c. The "c" series books contain exercises for the child to revise and practice writing the words. My boy was reading book 3a and 3b before 4 years old. At that time he still could not write well, so I did not let him do the "c" series.



By the time the child completes books 10 or 11, he will be able to read any English chapter books. Here is a page from book 11a:



Here are a few points to remember :
1. Give your child lots of encouragement. Praise him and tell him that he is doing very well. Give him some reward when he progresses from one level to the next level.

2. A child may require more than 10 repetitions before he can remember how to read a word. It is normal. Be patient. You may try other methods, like writing the words on small pieces of paper. Say a word and ask him to pick it up. Then you can make sure that he is paying attention.

3. If the child cannot sit still, it is not necessary to make him read more than one page a day. Then he knows that he only needs to spend a very short time reading, and he is more likely to finish reading the page before running off to play.

4. Explain the meaning of the words when reading. Let the child look at the pictures for as long as he likes. Encourage him to ask questions.

5. Before reading a new page, go back to the previous pages and read all the "new" words at the bottom of the pages. These words are not "new" anymore, but it is good to revise the words with your child every day.

6. Every child is different. After my girl completed her Montessori phonics course, she jumped to book 8a, and she read 8a - 9a - 10a - 11a - 12a. She did not need to read the "b" series. My boy, however, must read the "b" books before he can remember the words. You can use the books in a way that is suitable for your child. The "c" series books let the child have more practice reading the words. If your child still cannot remember some words after reading the "b" book, then let him read the "c" book for more practice.

7. Some mommies asked me how the Ladybird series compare to the Rigby series. My kids are reading the Rigby series in their PCF kindergarten/nursery. My personal opinion is that the Ladybird key word series are better. My kids progress very much faster using the Ladybird series. Click here to read other comments about the Rigby series in an internet forum.

Remember to make reading fun for your child. Your aim is to instill a love for reading in your child.

Updated on 7 Feb 2010 :
This is a guide for the Ladybird series :

Note that the above is a guide only. Both my kids completed levels 11 and 12 before they turned 5 years old. Every child is different, we should let the child progress in his own pace.