TED-Ed Educator Talks's video: Before the ABC s: how to start children on the path to literacy Brenda Erickson

Brenda Erickson believes that teaching children to read using phonics, or sounds of letters, rather than the names of letters, gives them the tools they need to succeed. -- We give our youngest children years to learn how to dress and feed themselves; what if we approached literacy the same way? Long-time Montessori educator Brenda Erickson believes that the popular approach of teaching the names of letters first to teach children learning to read actually complicates, rather than facilitates, early childhood learning. In her Talk, Erickson offers simple steps you can take to put your children on the path to literacy using the tools that suit them best - sounds. -- The TED-Ed Educator Talks channel is dedicated to celebrating great ideas in education. Each educator featured on this channel participated in TED Masterclass -- a professional learning program that helps people identify, develop and share their ideas with each other... and the world. Want to bring the TED Masterclass program to your school, district or organization? Learn more here: http://bit.ly/tedmasterclass