Hi mauve, it’s great that you are taking the time to find ways to make learning sight words easier for children. One suggestion that I have is to play different games with children that include learning sight words that are appropriate for their age and grade level. One game is called Word Checkers; you can check it out by linking on through the URL provided. I have also provided another link in case you would also like to learn more information on how to determine your student or child’s sight vocabulary fits their grade level. Good luck!

I have many parents tell me that they pair reading with the use of sign language and pictures. Sight words can come "alive" when paired with either the sign for the word or the fingerspelling of the word ( sign language alphabet)  
 
For more info about sign language feel free to peruse our website at www.signingfamilies.com

Make it multisensory.  You can use the following techniques.
 
1.   Air Spelling:  Choose a word.  With their finger, students spell the word in the air and say the letters aloud.  Tell students they must be able to "see" the letters as they are written in the air.  When the students get to the last letter, they underline the whole word as they say the word aloud.  Ask them if they can "see" the word in the air.  After their response, ask these type of questions:
- what is the third letter? - what is the last letter? - can you spell it backwards?  Remind the student that the word should be floating in the air in front of them and that they must continue to look at it throughout the activity.
 
2.  Stairsteps:  Write the words as if they are stairs, adding one letter each time.
S
SP
SPE
SPEL
SPELL
 
3.  Rainbow Words:  Student writes a word with his/her pencil.  Then traces around the outside with a crayon, hugging the same but not touching the letters.  Student can then pick two other crayons to continue tracing outward.
 
If a student has a learning disability, such as dyslexia and/or ADHD they must learn in a multisensory way.  Multisensory means using all of your learning modalities.  See it, Say it, Hear it, Move with it.

And why are you so sure you should use sight-words????
 
All the experts I trust say phonics is the only way to go.
 
This YouTube video is one of six about reading. See More From BruceDeitrickPrice.

Hello,
 
I would like to share this website with you.  Go www.readingeggs.com.  It is the best reading program.  They have everything that your child need to learns.  Please go check it out.
 
Good luck.