How do children learn to read? Is it a natural process like speaking? Or does it need training?
Studies show that reading is not a natural process. Reading is not a guessing game. Written language is like code. Certain combinations of letters represent particular sounds. Hence a kid can learn to read only through proper regular training.
Difference between Speaking and reading
Those are two completely different things. Children quickly learn to speak, but that’s not the case with reading.
For example, you show the ball and Pronounce the word child catches it quickly with visuals and sound.
But in reading child, needs to recognize the letters b, a, and l and should know the sounds of each letter and its combinations. For this, proper training and patience needed.
It’s normal to see children struggle to read in the beginning parents and teachers should try to motivate and build confidence in children.
Let’s discuss five ways to build confidence in beginner readers.
1. Appreciation
Appreciating each little progress they make; will boost their confidence level. And appreciation gives them the energy to try harder. Feeling valued is one of the best reasons to continue the journey.
2. Read Together.
In the beginning, of the course, you know kids will struggle. Hence be there for them, and start the reading journey together. You should read slowly and ly, catch up with their pace, reading together will give them the confidence to start slowly.
If children see you are reading fast, automatically they get the impression that reading must be quick and will affect their confidence.
3. Make reading a fun experience.
Make reading a fun experience, rather than making it a study session.
Kids must feel the excitement to read from inside. For this make reading a fun experience. Use some tricks and games, and give some mystery boxes or cards that increase their urge to read and to understand what’s in them.
4. Don’t push too much
Reading is not a natural process, it needs training, but over-training will adversely affect the confidence to read.This will only increase the pressure to read.
To avoid this situation, make a plan,Only one page per day or half an hour. Break down, into small pieces,It is a gradual process,No matter how much you force, it will take time. As you know, Rome was not built in a day, so is learning to read.
5. Give them privacy.
Give children enough privacy to practice. You may find it contradicting the read-together tip. But both are needed, read together in the beginning,
But later, give the children enough time and space to start reading at their own pace. They may take a long time to read and to reduce the embarrassment, let them read in their own space.
And after that give them audiences like their dolls and toys.this will increase confidence to read in front of people.
These are only five ways to build confidence to read. Always remember learning to read take time. Don’t push too hard, but you should pay enough attention, otherwise reading becomes difficult.
