Steps to successful reading
published:
Monday | September 1, 2008
Literacy specialist at the Point Hill Diagnostic Reading Centre, Kellyanne Jackson, pays close attention to Adam Bernard (right) and Natardo Thompson as they read.
In order to be a successful reader, it is important that the child be able to discriminate between letters. While playing the game in which he identifies a picture which is different in a series, he is engaging in visual discrimination which is another reading-readiness activity.
When stories are read, encourage your child to dramatise. You should also participate in the act. The stories will come alive and the child will not forget the story. It will be fun for both of you.
Do not forget to wear props where necessary. It encourages imagination and a sense of adventure. Picture storybooks are crucial in this matter as they help children to make their own stories.
Gradually introduce letters of the alphabet through games. Match letters to pictures to form association, which will later help in letter-sound relationship. Help your child to form letters of the alphabet in sand.
The student is now ready to enter the world of formal reading. Reading is a complex skill and, as such, he/she should be properly prepared by going through the stages.
Reading is a process and should be approached like climbing a ladder. Each step is essential.
- C.T.
READINESS TOOLS
Trail a line is an activity which aids left to right eye movement. This is necessary for reading, as we read from left to right. Matching dots to form pictures also helps in developing same.
Dramatisation is also an activity which helps to motivate children to read.
Story sharing is one of the oldest yet most essential reading-readiness tools that every parent should give his child. It is the foundation for reading.
Stories are stimulants for learning. When a parent reads an interesting story to his child, chances are, the child will ask that the story be repeated. The next step is that he will take the book and try to read it.
Parents need to capitalise on this. Use story sharing to your child's benefit. Read to him regularly.
Play dough is also a useful readiness tool. It can be used to form letter shapes, which will later lead to words.
It can also be used to form characters or scenes from stories read.
The young child could be asked to build his own story, using characters which he makes from play dough.
He could then be asked to tell his story.
Ten ways to get your child to love reading
1 Read stories regularly
2 Label items in the home
3 Help him to read signs
4 Introduce him to the library
5 Buy books on topics which he/she is interested in
6 Dramatise or mime stories where necessary
7 Encourage him to express his feelings about stories read, eg. What did you like about the story? What didn't you like? Why? Who was your favourite character? What have you learnt?
8 Have lots of reading material in the home
9 Create a reading corner at home, and include the following: colourful pictures, teddy bears, comics, crayons, colouring and drawing books, magazines, storybooks, rug.
10 Reward your child when he shows improvement.
Reading blocks
In addition to materials listed in the reading corner, the following are also useful reading tools:
Alphabet games
Word games
Word-find exercises
Puzzle books
Dress-up box for dramatisation of stories, such as Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood.
