What is reading?

Reading is a complex process involving word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation. Reading and writing abilities continue to develop throughout life. The years from birth to eight are the most important in literacy development.

Do most children learn to read easily?

• Only 5% of children learn to read effortlessly.
• 20% – 30% of children learn to read relatively easily when formally instructed.
• 60% of children find learning to read challenging.

 What can parents and caregivers do to ensure a child learns to read?

• For a child to become a good reader, it takes a partnership that begins at home and continues at school.  You can prepare your child to read by sharing your time, talking about the world around you, telling and reading stories and asking and answering questions.

What factors hinder reading development?

• Not understanding the sounds that make up the language.
• Not understanding that letters stand for the sounds in words. (The Alphabetic Principle)
• Do not understand what is being read known as weak comprehension skills
• No motivation to read.
• When there was poor instruction in early years of schooling.

 Can a person be taught to read at any age?

• Definitely – It is never too late to learn to read.

 What is a learning disorder?

• A learning disability is a disorder that affects a person’s ability to either interpret what they see and hear or to link information from different parts of the brain. The most common of which is difficulty with language and reading.

 What is Dyslexia

•  Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability which results in people having difficulties with specific language skills, particularly reading, spelling, writing, and pronouncing words.
• People with dyslexia have been found to have problems with identifying the separate speech sounds within a word and/or learning how letters represent those sounds.
• Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels.
• People who are very bright can be dyslexic. Dyslexia runs in families.
• With proper help, many people with dyslexia can learn to read and write well.

 What does the future hold for reading instruction?

 Scientific research is now providing insights on how to prevent the development of poor reading and all the problems that come with it. Scientifically based reading instruction techniques can be used to improve the brain function of those with reading difficulties enabling them to read better.

  What do you do if your child has a learning disability?

• Don’t ignore your concern. Children want to please their parents and teachers and want to learn and succeed.
• Do not blame the child for their lack of success. Be sure to search for the reason for their difficulties.
• Begin with the child’s school and seek other professional help until you have an answer and your child is receiving the necessary support.
• Have your child’s hearing and eyesight checked regularly. Ear infections can cause problems.

 What programs are available to help my child’s learning?

• Begin by asking for help from your child’s school.
• Many online programs are now available and interest the modern child.
• Look at the links on this page to learn about some outstanding online programs

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Posted in phonemic awareness phonics phonics for kids by Marilyn Martyn No Comments Yet