by Ms.Tirtza Koren Gal
Learning to read is something we all remember, for the most part. In fact, many of us even remember the age at which we learned to read and use this number as a factor in judging intelligence. Given our culture's competitive predisposition, it's no surprise that many parents are eager to get their children on track and learning to read at a young age.
The truth is, however, that it is critical that a child be ready to read before he or she begins the process. Ascertaining when your child is ready to read can be a difficult task. Starting too young can create larger problems for a child down the road. Here are a few things to consider when determining if your child is ready to learn to read.
Identify Rote Memorization
More than one homeschooling (and non-homeschooling) parent has been fooled into thinking that their child is ready to read or has already begun learning to read by this nifty little trick. Remember, children learn by mimicry and by rote; you may think a child is reading when he or she is actually just performing a little memory trick for you. While rote memorization of text is a sign that a child has begun to be engaged by the process, it does not mean that he or she is cognitively ready to read. Make sure that your child really understands the underlying concept of reading and is deciphering text, not just repeating what he or she has heard again and again.
Monitor Attention Span
A good rule of thumb is that if your child does not sit attentively through an entire book, he or she is not ready for reading. Learning to read takes intense concentration; most children do not have sufficient attention spans in place until around 5 years of age. Look out for signs that your child is ready to begin a structured and ongoing process.
Monitor Cognitive Development
Your child should, of course, already know the alphabet and his or her numbers before attempting to learn how to read. Other cognitive signs, though, are less straightforward. One good sign that your child's brain is ready to do the tough work of learning to read is that he or she is already attempting to decipher text. This means that your child has made the intuitive leap and understands that text is an abstract depiction of spoken language.
Give your Child Room to Breathe!
Not every child will develop reading skills at the same time as his or her peers. If you are concerned that your child may be falling behind, but are certain that there are no reading difficulties like Dyslexia at play, allow your child to approach reading when he or she is ready. Children must have an enthusiasm for the learning process; forcing them to meet a standard outside their reach may alienate them from what should be an exciting and stimulating experience.
Ms.Tirtza Koren Gal is the founder of SkillaDo and the EasyPhonics™ reading program. Her mission as a teacher is to empower children by teaching them to read and control texts, allowing them to build strong self-images as readers and achievers. You can read more about teaching children, children & learning, and children & reading at the SkillaDo blog.
Learning to read is something we all remember, for the most part. In fact, many of us even remember the age at which we learned to read and use this number as a factor in judging intelligence. Given our culture's competitive predisposition, it's no surprise that many parents are eager to get their children on track and learning to read at a young age.
The truth is, however, that it is critical that a child be ready to read before he or she begins the process. Ascertaining when your child is ready to read can be a difficult task. Starting too young can create larger problems for a child down the road. Here are a few things to consider when determining if your child is ready to learn to read.
Identify Rote Memorization
More than one homeschooling (and non-homeschooling) parent has been fooled into thinking that their child is ready to read or has already begun learning to read by this nifty little trick. Remember, children learn by mimicry and by rote; you may think a child is reading when he or she is actually just performing a little memory trick for you. While rote memorization of text is a sign that a child has begun to be engaged by the process, it does not mean that he or she is cognitively ready to read. Make sure that your child really understands the underlying concept of reading and is deciphering text, not just repeating what he or she has heard again and again.
Monitor Attention Span
A good rule of thumb is that if your child does not sit attentively through an entire book, he or she is not ready for reading. Learning to read takes intense concentration; most children do not have sufficient attention spans in place until around 5 years of age. Look out for signs that your child is ready to begin a structured and ongoing process.
Monitor Cognitive Development
Your child should, of course, already know the alphabet and his or her numbers before attempting to learn how to read. Other cognitive signs, though, are less straightforward. One good sign that your child's brain is ready to do the tough work of learning to read is that he or she is already attempting to decipher text. This means that your child has made the intuitive leap and understands that text is an abstract depiction of spoken language.
Give your Child Room to Breathe!
Not every child will develop reading skills at the same time as his or her peers. If you are concerned that your child may be falling behind, but are certain that there are no reading difficulties like Dyslexia at play, allow your child to approach reading when he or she is ready. Children must have an enthusiasm for the learning process; forcing them to meet a standard outside their reach may alienate them from what should be an exciting and stimulating experience.
Ms.Tirtza Koren Gal is the founder of SkillaDo and the EasyPhonics™ reading program. Her mission as a teacher is to empower children by teaching them to read and control texts, allowing them to build strong self-images as readers and achievers. You can read more about teaching children, children & learning, and children & reading at the SkillaDo blog.
