What is phonemic awareness?
Phonemic Awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Before children can learn to read, they must understand how the sounds in words work.

Why is phonemic awareness important?
Phonemic Awareness is important because it helps children learn to read and spell. Children who are phonemically aware are likely to have an easier time learning to read and spell than those who are not.

How can I develop my child's phonemic awareness?
Several types of activities will help your child develop phonemic awareness. It is more effective to focus on only one or two areas at a time. It is also more effective to have your child use letters of the alphabet to manipulate the sounds. (plastic letters, letter cards, dry-erase board). The following activities are excellent ways to develop phonemic awareness:

Phoneme isolation-What is the first sound in bat? /b/

Phoneme identity-What sound is the same in hop, hat, hug? /h/

Phoneme categorization-Which word does not belong ... tap, tug, red? Red does not belong because it begins with a different sound.

Phoneme blending-What word is /t/ /a/ /p/? tap

Phoneme segmentation-How many sounds are in flag? /f/ /1/ /a/ /g/ 4 sounds.

Phoneme deletion-Say the word plate. Now say it without /p/. late

Phoneme addition- What word do you have when you add /s/ to nap? Snap.

Phoneme substitution-The word is cat. What do you get when you change /c/ to /h/? hat.

How is phonemic awareness different from phonics?
Phonemic awareness focuses on hearing the sounds in spoken language. Phonics instruction teaches the relationship between the letters of the written language and the phonemes of the spoken language. Phonics teaches children to read and write words. Phonics instruction is most effective when it is taught directly with a specific set of letters in a clearly defined order. The set of letters should include several consonants and a vowel. Stories should have mostly decodable text and controlled vocabulary for the children to read. New skills should build upon previous ones.

Are Half-Pint Readers based upon the skills of phonemic awareness and phonics instruction?
Yes! Half-Pint Readers are based on phonemic awareness and phonics instruction. They are leveled decodable readers that follow a specific sequence of skills. Half-Pint Readers use decodable text and have controlled vocabulary throughout the series.

How are Half-Pint Readers unique from other phonics programs ?
Half -Pint Readers are thematic, easy to decode and fun to read! Each set of six books centers on a particular theme. The stories have funny little plots that hold the child's interest. Children can hardly wait to see where the Half-Pint characters will visit next! Each set of six books introduces a few new skills and builds upon the skills learned in previous books. For easy reference, new decodable words and sight words are listed on the title page of each book. Half-Pint Readers are affordable. Unlike other phonics programs that cost hundreds of dollars, Half-Pint Readers offer more books for a lot less! And more books equals more reading! Half-Pint Readers were created by a Kindergarten teacher for her students to read while they learned the letter-sounds through phonemic awareness and phonics instruction. Half -Pint Readers are proven to be effective and motivating for helping children learn to read.

How are Half-Pint Readers sold?
Half-Pint readers are sold by level. Each level contains six different sets of books, totaling 36 books per level.

Level A - Sights and Sounds introduces all consonant and short vowel sounds and 33 sight words.
Level B - Blends and Ends introduces 16 blends and digraphs, 4 word endings and 24 new sight words.
Level C - Moving A-Long introduces long vowel sounds, 9 blends, 46 sight words, 4 word endings and more.

Plus, Half-Pint Readers have a Christian version of the three levels that includes a different Bible verse for each book.

Who can benefit from using Half-Pint Readers?
Half-Pint Readers can be used as a Kindergarten and beginning first grade reading program or to supplement an existing program. They are also a great resource for remediation, adult literacy, English-as-a-Second Language and for home-schooling.