“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body” – Sir Richard Steele.

Reading is a process in which information from the text and the readers background knowledge act together to produce meaning (M Bester, 2013).

Why is teaching reading so important in the foundation phase?

Teaching reading in the foundation phase is important because reading improves a child’s vocabulary as well as their spelling. It also develops the child’s imagination and creativity. Reading creates good reading and comprehension skills which are pivotal for when they learn subjects like history and mathematics in primary and high school (Keyser, n.d.). Reading also improves concentration and disciple through having regular reading time in your classroom (Clonard, n.d.).

I feel that reading is important because it will help them in their future educational years when they will be pressed for time and need to read through things in exams because the more you read the quicker you become at reading ie. Your fluency will improve.

Reading methods:

When we teach our learners reading we can use one of the following 7 methods (M Bester, 2013):

1. The alphabet method- Learners use letters and the sounds before reading.

2. The Phonic method- Focuses on phonetics. An example would be THRASS.

3. The look-and-say method- It is based on the Gestalt theory, meaning you first look at the whole and then look at the parts. A three-pronged approach is used.

4. The eclectic method- It combines 2 methods, phonic and look-and-say.

5. The language experience method- It is based on the ideology that language and culture are interdependent.

6. The whole language approach- Emphasis on a thematic approach of integrating listening, writing and reading.

7. The balanced approached- It is in coordination with regard to reading and general literacy teaching. Contains reading aloud, shared reading, guided reading, independent reading and paired reading.

I feel that you should try all 7 methods and see which one is best suited for your leaners. I feel that the balanced approach is best as it is using Vygotsky’s theory and allowing for a good teacher-student relationship because there is a lot of interaction between the teacher and student.

Important guidelines and process’s to follow to ensure that teaching reading is successful:

When you are teaching children to read you need to be aware of the following guidelines (M Bester, 2013):

- Communication

- Promoting the children to talk about reading

- Acknowledge when children make mistakes as this shows that the children are learning and can be used to give you guidance when you do your planning.

- Allow the children to read by themselves as this gives the children the opportunity to practice the skill of reading.

I agree with these guidelines stated by the Literacy in the foundation Phase textbook as by allowing the children to talk about the reading, it creates a good teacher student relationship which will encourage the children to voice their opinion more often and will create critical thinking learners. I also agree with allowing the children to read by themselves as I believe that they learn more by practicing it themselves than by teachers teaching it to them.

As a teacher you can also implement a balanced reading programme which contains 7 key elements (M Bester, 2013):

1. Core content -Understanding the structure and the content of the reading.

2. Phonics and word study- Working with words and sounds.

3. Reading aloud- As a teacher you must read out loud to the class.

4. Sustained silent reading- After a book is read to the children they read a book silently by themselves.

5. Guided reading- The teacher helps learners when they are reading.

6. Modelled writing activities- Activities which promote good writing.

7. Guided writing- Small group activities where the teacher is able to help the learners.

8. Independent work- The children work on their own or in small groups and pairs.

The key element 5 allows for learning to occur as it is using Vygotsky’s theory as the zone of proximal development which is the area between what the child can do by themselves and what they need help with (Innovative Learning, n.d.) is evident. I agree with element 4 and 8 as the independent work and silent reading allows for the children to practice the skills by themselves. I agree with Vygotsky as the teacher is there to guide children so that the child doesn’t feel demotivated which is important because if they feel demotivated they won’t want to try it again and as teachers we need to encourage them.

However I disagree with key element 2 as this won’t work for children that are blind as phonics and word study go together. Phonics is showing children how to make connections between the actual letter and the sounds of it when it is spoken (Reading eggs, n.d.) so I feel that this would not work for blind children as they can’t see the word so they won’t be able to make the connection. Yes there are things such as brail but there isn’t much funding for blind children in rural schools and there isn’t easily available texts for children that aren’t privileged enough to go to schools for the blind.

My opinion on the importance of creating an enjoyable reading environment:

It is important to create an enjoyable reading environment because it is our jobs as teachers to make learning fun. It is our jobs to ensure that we lay a good foundation and we need to do whatever it takes to ensure that learning takes place and by creating an enjoyable environment we are able to do this. By creating an enjoyable reading environment we are encouraging leaners to take learning into their own hands as reading teaches children so much as stated in the beginning of my blog.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” – Jacqueline Kennedy.

I personally feel reading is very important as I see how my lack of reading has caused me to have poor spelling, poor vocabulary and poor imagination. Reading is of key importance. However if there is no understanding when reading is being done then there is no value in it. (M Bester, 2013)