True facts to build foundation for learning to read and write

I am a literacy tutor for students in K through 6 grade.  I have found it to be a fact, that if a child is not taught to speak properly than the child will struggle with reading and than writing correctly.

I can teach a student to copy what I do; but it will not be retained because the child does not relate to what he/she says and than when they see in print.

I have found it more successful when I insist on proper language, with my students as well as in my home with my own children.  When my  children do not know how to spell a word, I start at the pronunciation of the word and then I read or use it in its context for understanding of the word, than I work on the spelling of the word.

I have seen this time and again.  I've watched many children learn from this and stand firm by this technique.