Content area reading refers to the reading that someone needs to complete and understand in a particular subject area. The content areas typically included disciplines like science, social studies/history and math, but any area outside of English literature instruction constitutes a content area. … [Read more...]
What is Dyslexia?
As a parent, it can be difficult to determine if your child's development is typical or if there are learning and developmental issues that may require special treatment. One question often asked is "Does my child have Dyslexia?" The International Dyslexia Association offers a great starting point for concerned parents who want to learn more. The following is reprinted from one of the IDA's … [Read more...]
What is Phonemic Awareness?
Phonemic awareness is the only aspect of reading that is essential for children to develop before they can begin learning to read. Based in oral language, phonemic awareness serves as not only the foundation for reading it is also the strongest indicator of a child’s potential for learning to read. … [Read more...]
What is Reading Fluency?
Fluency is the most overlooked of the five essential aspects of reading. Because it is usually measured through oral reading, many do not consider it important to silent, independent reading. However, fluency plays an important role in a reader’s ability to comprehend texts. … [Read more...]
What is Phonics?
Phonics is one of the primary building blocks of reading. Without an understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds, reading cannot occur. This multifaceted connection between print and pronunciation is an important component of any instructional program in reading because it provides readers with tools for discovering new written words. … [Read more...]
When is the Right Time to Hire Your Child a Reading Tutor?
Working one-on-one with a tutor is an extremely effective and beneficial way to help your child make strong academic progress. It can also be a significant investment of time and money. So, when is it worth it to hire your child a reading tutor? … [Read more...]
Helping Your Gifted Reader
Some children seem like they are born to read. They devour books and seem to understand them with ease. They may even be able to read texts that are well above grade level. While parents and teachers may be inclined to “not worry” about these children because they are well above where they should be for their age, it is important to provide them with reading experiences that help them to … [Read more...]
Steps a Parent Can Take to Help Their Struggling Reader
Every parent wants what’s best for his or her child. We all know how important reading ability is and therefore we want our children to succeed at reading. When children have difficulty with reading parents can become frustrated because they want to help them but do not know how. If your school-aged child is having trouble with reading here are some steps you can take to help his or her … [Read more...]
Boys and Reading: Strategies for Success
Over the last several years an alarming trend has developed regarding our children’s reading abilities. Nationally there is a significant discrepancy between our nation’s boys and girls reading scores. Boys routinely perform at much lower levels than girls on standardized reading assessments. … [Read more...]
Why Read 20 Minutes a Day?
Let’s face it…parents (and kids) are busy! It is difficult to “fit in” all that needs to be done in a day. We are often faced with having to make choices about what stays and what goes in our schedules. So, why is it so critical to include 20 minutes of reading in your child’s daily schedule? … [Read more...]
Phonemic Awareness vs. Phonological Awareness
As you learn more about reading development and instruction you may come upon two terms that look quite similar: phonological awareness and phonemic awareness. While the two are often used interchangeably there are slight distinctions between them. … [Read more...]
Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary
Because vocabulary knowledge is critical to reading comprehension, it is important that those working with young readers help foster their development of a large “word bank” and effective vocabulary learning strategies. There are several effective explicit (intentional, planned instruction) and implicit (spontaneous instruction as a child comes to new words in a text) strategies that adults … [Read more...]
Effective Strategies for Teaching Phonemic Awareness
Because phonemic awareness is a necessary pre-requisite to reading, it is important that it is included in early reading or pre-reading instruction. While there are many ways to teach, the following proven strategies should be considered when teaching phonemic awareness to young children. Timing and Grouping Phonemic awareness should be a priority in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and early … [Read more...]
Best Practices in Phonics Instruction
Phonics instruction has become the most controversial of all areas of reading education over the last ten years. Once the only aspect of reading instruction, it has now become one of five important components of reading education … [Read more...]
Reading Fluency and Instruction
As the importance of fluency in reading ability has been recognized more educators are including a fluency component in their reading education programs. There are a number of best practices for helping children develop reading fluency. … [Read more...]
