My child knows all the Arabic letter names but still can’t read. Why?

This is very common when children learn the alphabet song first. They know the letters’ names perfectly, but reading needs their sounds.

Names vs sounds

A child reading قَلَم (pen) by names says “qaf-lam-mim”. Reading by sound says “qa-lam”.

A 3-week fix

1. Week 1, sounds only: show a letter with a fatha; your child says only the sound. Names are not allowed for this week.
2. Week 2, two sounds: blend pairs such as بَا, مِنْ, لَمْ.
3. Week 3, short words: three-letter words such as كَتَبَ, جَلَسَ, فَتَحَ.

Blending trick

Hold the first sound and slide into the next: “mmmm-iiiin” for مِنْ. Sliding helps children hear that sounds join into a word.

Check the vowels

If your child cannot say the sound with fatha, kasra and damma quickly, practise those first. See how Arabic vowels work.

The Noorani Qaida programme is built on sounds and blending from the start.