Sep 10
1
Not Everyone Wants to Read
I have just had a blinding flash of the obvious.
Not everyone wants to read……for I am sure very plausible but self defeating reasons. Many have had a devastating experience at school.
From thinking most people wanted to learn to read and it was external factors that prevent reading success I now know we need to begin with the attitude and desires of the learner.
The reality is many people just do not want to read………….even if it is good for them!
Many because they have no idea how to! Many because they don’t want to!
I remember the man who wanted to improve his reading and when the emotional responses to the effort needed appeared gave up. It was easier to limit one’s life that to take charge of emotions. His emotions had to be dealt with before he could learn to read.
Learning to read is complex and there are many pitfalls along the way. Tuning into the learner via muscle testing is a quick and easy way to release blocks.
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If it is true that almost 50% of adults in English speaking countries are functionally illiterate what effect is this having on their children? Why don’t they want to improve their reading skills? Do their children give up on learning to read as well? Maybe we need to ask them.
It seems to me that many don’t value education and don’t want the challenge of learning. If it’s not easy forget it!
But that certainly isn’t everyone.
Learning the mechanics of reading is not impossible and should be mastered in years 1 to 3. It is the parents and school’s job to see this happens.
I think we need to look at the type of reading material we are asking students to read. A lot of it is awful and does not engage the reader.
A person who wants to read can be taught fairly quickly. It then needs to be followed by enlightened support and plenty of reading from the student concerned.
“Can you help me Miss? I can’t read.” The voice of a sixteen year old student who has realised he has no chance of employment. How he wished he had worked at school. But I don’t think he was the problem. I think the way young children were taught under the whole language umbrella and the lack of accountability of each student was the problem. Failing, or preferably ‘has still to master’ was never mentioned.
With all those students I found they could not decode words. It was that simple. But years of lost language development is difficult to make up.
It was this boy and nearly 150 other students in the school during the 1980′s that were the catalyst for me to look at how reading was taught. It left a lot to be desired!
Don’t let this happen to your children. Don’t accept they don’t want to do it and hate school. Their life depends upon it.
Check on their attitude towards learning. Ask them to tell you why they feel as they do. Listen without judgement. Do they really understand the importance of reading for them? Then……….
Involve them in working out how they can improve their reading. Do not give up. Involve them.
Children are often ignored and react accordingly.
We must try with every child to give them the gift of reading in the vital first years.
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