reading skills pyramid

Post date: Oct 23, 2009 7:21:17 AM

Learning to read is an exciting time for children and their families. While thrilled by their children's emerging literacy skills, many parents are surprised to learn that reading is not automatic and that, regardless of family background, children require support in learning to read. Recent advances in research document some methodologies that work in most cases.

Two critical pre-reading areas to focus on are creating a language-rich environment and developing phonemic awareness.

A language-rich environment forms a solid foundation on which interest in reading and some skills such as fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension are based. As part of day to day level, the conversation around and involving your children should develop word awareness and verbal comprehension.

Phonemic awareness (and his sibling, phonological awareness) is the critial pre-phonics skill. Children must become aware that words are made up sounds that get combined like interchangable parts to form new words. (Also, they should learn to distinguish the sounds which is the heart of phonological awareness). Research shows that children who develop phonemic awareness and letter-sound knowledge early on are more likely to be strong, successful readers. Children build these skills by reading aloud, practicing nursery rhymes, and playing letter and word games. Tutoring or structured computer programs can also effectively reinforce these skills. Based on an understanding of phonemic (or phonological) awareness and basic print concepts, children are reading to learn phonics.

The Reading Skills Pyramid visually depicts the patterns of concept acquisition that children follow in becoming successful readers up through third grade. We recommend a high level of parent involvement in this process by providing high quality educational materials, establishing a pattern of daily reading, creating a rich language environment, and discussing your child's progress with teachers and following up on their recommendations. While most children follow the same sequence of acquiring literacy skills, they do so at their own pace. All children are different: if you have questions or concerns about your child's progress in reading, contact his or her teacher.

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