Speed reading is an acquired skill. Its not something that can be done by just anyone and its also not something that can be done anywhere. You wont often see a person holding a book in their hand and speed reading as they are sitting on a park bench or riding on a bus. It requires not only a place of concentration but also a manner of positioning yourself and the book for the best possible results.
In order for the eye to successfully scan the page at the rate that is required for speed reading, the reading material needs to be a certain distance from the eye and it also needs to be placed in a specific position. Ideally the book will be about fifteen inches from your face and it should be placed at a slight slant. The reason for this is that its easier for the eyes to read material when its not placed completely flat on a desk. Therefore you can either place another book behind it or purchase a device that is designed to hold the book for you. Either way, youll then have the book sitting the way you need it to be for optimum reading.
Your body should also be in a specific position. Often we lay in bed as we read, and although this bodes well in the area of rest, its not productive to speed reading. The best position for your body during speed reading is to be sitting upright.
Many people find it best to sit at a desk while they are speed reading. Their back is straight and the book is placed in the right position. Having a dim lamp nearby is also ideal.
It goes without saying that the room you are in should be quiet. A lot of noise, such as other people talking, a television or a radio can interfere with your concentration. Your mind needs to be centered and focused on the material that you are reading and being in a room free of distraction works towards that goal.
One of the best places to develop your speed reading skills is the library. The reasons are many and obvious. The library has many books to choose from. The library affords a very quiet environment. Your concentration would be at a peak there without the outside influence of noise that can occur in a home or office. Another perk associated with the library is that they generally are furnished with reading cubicles or booths. Many of these offer desks that are designed to hold books. They are crafted with a slight slant which is perfect for the speed reader.
By taking a trip to the library once a day or even several times a week, it will give you the chance to work on your reading skills in an environment specifically designed for the comfort of the reader. As you improve your reading skills, youll be surrounded by literary choices which will guarantee that youll never get bored of the material.
By Brandon C. Hall
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Do Strong Readers Need Speed Reading?
If youre a strong reader, do you really need speed reading? If youre a student or professional, the answer should be obvious; it can only give you an edge. But more to the point, why keep your reading level at basic comprehension and average speed? If its obvious that making a small change in your life results in a big difference, its worth investigating. This is the case with speed reading.
When you are small you learn how to read by a method called letter-by-letter reading, which essentially is exactly what it sounds like. You sound out each letter and over time you can form them into entire words. Children learn this process very young when they are shown the letters of the alphabet and the sound associated with each letter.
You wouldnt stop at letter-by-letter reading if you knew how much more you would get out of reading by moving on to word-by-word reading, which is the ability to recognize entire words. So why limit yourself to block-by-block reading that involves short blocks of words when you can increase that enjoyment and understanding even further by learning how to increase those blocks?
Speed reading is more than getting through a stack of words at high speed. It increases the text you take in at one time, which gives you a better grasp of what youve read which in turn increases your ability to understand what youre reading in bigger, faster doses. We all shift gears when we read, depending on what were reading. We automatically read text containing familiar words and ideas fast and slow down when we come across text with new ideas. Speed reading gives you another gear to shift into, saves you time, increases your reading comprehension, and gives you an automatic edge.
Having the ability to speed read allows you to read as quickly through unfamiliar text as you do with text that you have seen before. For the professional or student who needs to get through large pieces of text quickly, this is incredibly valuable. They can pick up a book or document, spend no more than a few minutes going over it and have the same comprehension and absorption that someone reading at a regular speed would have after spending several hours reading it. The time saved is remarkable and for someone who is a busy professional or for a student who is faced with many classes as well as other responsibilities, the difference in their lives can be substantially better.
Although learning to speed read takes time and patience, its an investment that is well worth it. Having the ability to grasp and retain information that is read at a fast speed can make a significant difference in a persons life. If your reading skills are strong now, you can quickly and easily adapt to speed reading. Take some time to learn the techniques, make a concerted effort to employ them, and then reap the many benefits of being able to speed read.
When you are small you learn how to read by a method called letter-by-letter reading, which essentially is exactly what it sounds like. You sound out each letter and over time you can form them into entire words. Children learn this process very young when they are shown the letters of the alphabet and the sound associated with each letter.
You wouldnt stop at letter-by-letter reading if you knew how much more you would get out of reading by moving on to word-by-word reading, which is the ability to recognize entire words. So why limit yourself to block-by-block reading that involves short blocks of words when you can increase that enjoyment and understanding even further by learning how to increase those blocks?
Speed reading is more than getting through a stack of words at high speed. It increases the text you take in at one time, which gives you a better grasp of what youve read which in turn increases your ability to understand what youre reading in bigger, faster doses. We all shift gears when we read, depending on what were reading. We automatically read text containing familiar words and ideas fast and slow down when we come across text with new ideas. Speed reading gives you another gear to shift into, saves you time, increases your reading comprehension, and gives you an automatic edge.
Having the ability to speed read allows you to read as quickly through unfamiliar text as you do with text that you have seen before. For the professional or student who needs to get through large pieces of text quickly, this is incredibly valuable. They can pick up a book or document, spend no more than a few minutes going over it and have the same comprehension and absorption that someone reading at a regular speed would have after spending several hours reading it. The time saved is remarkable and for someone who is a busy professional or for a student who is faced with many classes as well as other responsibilities, the difference in their lives can be substantially better.
Although learning to speed read takes time and patience, its an investment that is well worth it. Having the ability to grasp and retain information that is read at a fast speed can make a significant difference in a persons life. If your reading skills are strong now, you can quickly and easily adapt to speed reading. Take some time to learn the techniques, make a concerted effort to employ them, and then reap the many benefits of being able to speed read.
Teaching Children To Speed Read
How many of us wish we had known how to speed read back in grade school when the teacher assigned a book report over the winter holiday break? Although reading is fundamental in the learning process, for many children it is a tedious task. They become overwhelmed because they are looking at a book of well over two or three-hundred pages and they see that as hours that could be spent outside playing in the snow or doing an activity with their family.
For children who have the ability to speed read, they dont see the book report project as such a burden. The main reason is that instead of spending days reading the book and researching the material, they will spend considerably less time with those tasks; so much less time that it could translate to hours or even in some cases minutes.
One of the greatest lessons that any parent can give to their child or any teacher can give to their students is the ability to speed read. Once learned, the child would be able to speed read for the remainder of their lives. This would result in significant changes not only in their school experiences, but also in their college and professional experiences as well.
Both parents and teachers can do things that encourage the child to learn to speed read. One is the parent or teacher can introduce exercises that aid the child in reading. A child first needs to be a strong reader before they can implement the techniques needed to speed read. A good barometer of where your child is on the reading scale is to inquire with their teacher. Each year teachers do reading tests on the children to determine at what grade level the child is reading at. For a child reading at a sixth grade level while in the third grade, they can easily be introduced to the idea of speed reading. However if a child is in the sixth grade and reading at a third grade level, their regular reading needs to be improved significantly before they can even consider the possibility of speed reading.
Parents can aid in their childrens basic reading ability by having the child read to them each night. Children become accustomed to having their parent read bedtime stories to them, but if the child becomes the storyteller, their reading skills can be monitored much more efficiently.
A child can become a speed reader with a little assistance from their parents. This will help them thrive in school; it will also give them a significant boost in confidence. The material they are reading will be absorbed quicker and their assignments will be completed without worry of them falling behind because they couldnt get through the reading material. Helping your child develop their speed reading skills is a great gift you can give to them; its a gift that will last a lifetime.
By Brandon C. Hall
For children who have the ability to speed read, they dont see the book report project as such a burden. The main reason is that instead of spending days reading the book and researching the material, they will spend considerably less time with those tasks; so much less time that it could translate to hours or even in some cases minutes.
One of the greatest lessons that any parent can give to their child or any teacher can give to their students is the ability to speed read. Once learned, the child would be able to speed read for the remainder of their lives. This would result in significant changes not only in their school experiences, but also in their college and professional experiences as well.
Both parents and teachers can do things that encourage the child to learn to speed read. One is the parent or teacher can introduce exercises that aid the child in reading. A child first needs to be a strong reader before they can implement the techniques needed to speed read. A good barometer of where your child is on the reading scale is to inquire with their teacher. Each year teachers do reading tests on the children to determine at what grade level the child is reading at. For a child reading at a sixth grade level while in the third grade, they can easily be introduced to the idea of speed reading. However if a child is in the sixth grade and reading at a third grade level, their regular reading needs to be improved significantly before they can even consider the possibility of speed reading.
Parents can aid in their childrens basic reading ability by having the child read to them each night. Children become accustomed to having their parent read bedtime stories to them, but if the child becomes the storyteller, their reading skills can be monitored much more efficiently.
A child can become a speed reader with a little assistance from their parents. This will help them thrive in school; it will also give them a significant boost in confidence. The material they are reading will be absorbed quicker and their assignments will be completed without worry of them falling behind because they couldnt get through the reading material. Helping your child develop their speed reading skills is a great gift you can give to them; its a gift that will last a lifetime.
By Brandon C. Hall
Hand Positions In Speed Reading
One of the most fascinating things about watching someone speed reading is the rate at which their hand glosses over the material they are reading. It moves so quickly and for the average reader, it seems as though its moving much too fast for the person to be absorbing any part of the text.
If youve always read at a natural speed, it might seem impossible to imagine that you could read several times faster. It might also seem unbelievable that you can adopt the principles behind speed reading without too much effort.
Speed reading is based on the principle that your mind absorbs the material that you read at a quicker rate than someone who reads at a normal pace. Normally we take our time reading each page of a book, trying to grasp the meaning of each word and how that word relates to not only the sentence it is in, but the paragraph as well.
For someone who speed reads, they are able to glance at the words and instead of concentrating on each and every single word; they see the words as blocks. They view the block of words and the meaning is absorbed.
There are different methods to speed reading, but the general idea remains common. That is, your eyes must quickly scan the text of the page. To do this you can use different techniques.
The most common of these techniques is to use your hand or your finger. This is typically what we associate with speed readers. Their hand moves remarkably quickly over the page; skimming line by line until they flip the next page to begin the process all over again. They need to do this so that their eyes can follow the text. When you are reading at a rapid rate, it is easy for your eyes to lose track of where you are on the page. By tracing an invisible line beneath the text, their eyes stay completely focused.
Another method that works the same way is to use a card or a straight edge, such as ruler. This keeps the readers eyes following the text. They arent tempted to skip ahead and miss words. Their concentration is focused on exactly what they are reading, and as they work through the page, the card or straight edge moves with them.
Concentration is one of the most important aspects in reading in general. It is much more important when a person is developing their speed reading skills. Anyone can implement this rule into their reading. Using either their finger or a card the eyes will follow the words of the text at a much quicker rate.
The next time you are reading give this a try and see the difference it makes. Youll find yourself more focused on what you are reading and you wont be tempted to skip ahead and miss words that are essential to comprehension. Small tricks like this can make a significant improvement in your reading speed.
By Brandon C. Hall
If youve always read at a natural speed, it might seem impossible to imagine that you could read several times faster. It might also seem unbelievable that you can adopt the principles behind speed reading without too much effort.
Speed reading is based on the principle that your mind absorbs the material that you read at a quicker rate than someone who reads at a normal pace. Normally we take our time reading each page of a book, trying to grasp the meaning of each word and how that word relates to not only the sentence it is in, but the paragraph as well.
For someone who speed reads, they are able to glance at the words and instead of concentrating on each and every single word; they see the words as blocks. They view the block of words and the meaning is absorbed.
There are different methods to speed reading, but the general idea remains common. That is, your eyes must quickly scan the text of the page. To do this you can use different techniques.
The most common of these techniques is to use your hand or your finger. This is typically what we associate with speed readers. Their hand moves remarkably quickly over the page; skimming line by line until they flip the next page to begin the process all over again. They need to do this so that their eyes can follow the text. When you are reading at a rapid rate, it is easy for your eyes to lose track of where you are on the page. By tracing an invisible line beneath the text, their eyes stay completely focused.
Another method that works the same way is to use a card or a straight edge, such as ruler. This keeps the readers eyes following the text. They arent tempted to skip ahead and miss words. Their concentration is focused on exactly what they are reading, and as they work through the page, the card or straight edge moves with them.
Concentration is one of the most important aspects in reading in general. It is much more important when a person is developing their speed reading skills. Anyone can implement this rule into their reading. Using either their finger or a card the eyes will follow the words of the text at a much quicker rate.
The next time you are reading give this a try and see the difference it makes. Youll find yourself more focused on what you are reading and you wont be tempted to skip ahead and miss words that are essential to comprehension. Small tricks like this can make a significant improvement in your reading speed.
By Brandon C. Hall
Benefits Of Speed Reading
Obviously few people want to undertake the task of learning a new skill, such as speed reading, if there is no direct benefit. Life's just too short.
So, what are the direct and indirect benefits of learning to speed read? The answer to this question very much depends at what stage in your life you are at. Here are some to consider:
High school / pre-college students
High school, pre-college, students are normally considered to be primary target groups for a speed reading programs. Basically, the reason why such students are seen as ideal candidates is because they at an age where they can still absorb new ideas without too onerous consideration - an important facet with learning to speed read.
Another upside to teaching high school students to speed read is the fact that they can take in far more information from their greater reading skills. Also, with advanced reading skills, students should also be able to comprehend more of what they are reading. Furthermore, with potentially the toughest period of their lives ahead of them, so far as obtaining information from reading is concerned, learning to speed read at this time is seen as being extremely advantageous.
College students
If a college student has not learnt, for one reason or another, to speed read by the time they enter college, it is generally considered essential that they do so within their first year (along with learning short-hand!). Practically speaking, this is likely to be the busiest time of a person's reading life. Moreover, students are often required to read huge amounts of materials, comprehend them, condense them and then comment on them. Having the ability to speed read is nothing short of a God-send skill.
Work employees
Even though you may not have learnt to speed read prior to entering the workforce, this doesn't mean that you no longer need to learn speed reading. Consider this: three quarters of all the world's reading materials (which includes every book and magazine ever written) is contained within the filing cabinets of offices! And, even in this electronic age, with data protection laws in place, we are still required to read vast amounts of information at work each year.
Learning to speed read will not only allow you to read quickly, with greater comprehension of the material, but it'll also provide you with more time to be getting on with the other tasks in your daily working life!
Pleasure
Again, even if you are only reading for pleasure, the mere fact you have more chance of comprehending that romance novel if you have the skills at-hand that allow you to speed read should be sufficient to convince you of the value of learning this essential skill. Of course, pleasure reading is a lot more enjoyable than technical reading, so if you do have speed reading skills, this will allow you the chance to read even more of those books you always wanted to read, but didn't have time for!
Language students
One final group that we should not overlook is "English as a second language" students. Clinical evidence has shown that ESL students who have the ability to speed read have a far greater chance of comprehending the English language and are more inclined to stick to learning English. This is not to say, of course, that speed reading is the answer to all your English language problems, but it is an additional weapon to help you conquer the language barriers!
Conclusion
So, to sum up, it doesn't really matter at what stage in your life you are at, provided that you read at anytime during the day, even if it is only the daily newspaper, you are likely to benefit from the skills acquired from learning to speed read. You are also likely to be able to comprehend more of the information you read. And, there's every chance that because you understand and comprehend what you have read, your long-term memory will be able to retain this information for a future time. All-in-all, some very good reasons to learn speed reading now!
So, what are the direct and indirect benefits of learning to speed read? The answer to this question very much depends at what stage in your life you are at. Here are some to consider:
High school / pre-college students
High school, pre-college, students are normally considered to be primary target groups for a speed reading programs. Basically, the reason why such students are seen as ideal candidates is because they at an age where they can still absorb new ideas without too onerous consideration - an important facet with learning to speed read.
Another upside to teaching high school students to speed read is the fact that they can take in far more information from their greater reading skills. Also, with advanced reading skills, students should also be able to comprehend more of what they are reading. Furthermore, with potentially the toughest period of their lives ahead of them, so far as obtaining information from reading is concerned, learning to speed read at this time is seen as being extremely advantageous.
College students
If a college student has not learnt, for one reason or another, to speed read by the time they enter college, it is generally considered essential that they do so within their first year (along with learning short-hand!). Practically speaking, this is likely to be the busiest time of a person's reading life. Moreover, students are often required to read huge amounts of materials, comprehend them, condense them and then comment on them. Having the ability to speed read is nothing short of a God-send skill.
Work employees
Even though you may not have learnt to speed read prior to entering the workforce, this doesn't mean that you no longer need to learn speed reading. Consider this: three quarters of all the world's reading materials (which includes every book and magazine ever written) is contained within the filing cabinets of offices! And, even in this electronic age, with data protection laws in place, we are still required to read vast amounts of information at work each year.
Learning to speed read will not only allow you to read quickly, with greater comprehension of the material, but it'll also provide you with more time to be getting on with the other tasks in your daily working life!
Pleasure
Again, even if you are only reading for pleasure, the mere fact you have more chance of comprehending that romance novel if you have the skills at-hand that allow you to speed read should be sufficient to convince you of the value of learning this essential skill. Of course, pleasure reading is a lot more enjoyable than technical reading, so if you do have speed reading skills, this will allow you the chance to read even more of those books you always wanted to read, but didn't have time for!
Language students
One final group that we should not overlook is "English as a second language" students. Clinical evidence has shown that ESL students who have the ability to speed read have a far greater chance of comprehending the English language and are more inclined to stick to learning English. This is not to say, of course, that speed reading is the answer to all your English language problems, but it is an additional weapon to help you conquer the language barriers!
Conclusion
So, to sum up, it doesn't really matter at what stage in your life you are at, provided that you read at anytime during the day, even if it is only the daily newspaper, you are likely to benefit from the skills acquired from learning to speed read. You are also likely to be able to comprehend more of the information you read. And, there's every chance that because you understand and comprehend what you have read, your long-term memory will be able to retain this information for a future time. All-in-all, some very good reasons to learn speed reading now!
Which Is More Important, Reading Faster Or Comprehension?
It is an almost instinctive reaction to think that reading faster equates with comprehending less. Empirical evidence, however, seems to indicate otherwise - individuals who read at slower rates are just as likely not to fully comprehend what they have read as those who read too fast.
Consequently, trying to find an optimum between the speed you read at and the overall comprehension you have of the material is the key to good reading skills. What follows is a brief look at how you can try to optimize your speed reading and comprehension at the same time.
Speed and comprehension
It should be the goal of every individual who wishes to read efficiently to understand what they are reading, learn from it, and then move on. Reading should not be an activity which we linger over. In this regard, it is generally accepted that someone who can read between 250 and 300 words per minute is an average reader. Those who read less than 250 words per minute are slow readers. And those who read more than 500 words per minute are speed readers. However, there comes a point when reading too fast would make you lose your comprehension.
If that's the case, what should be the optimum speed? Only you can tell because you'll need to test it out yourself and try to stretch it as much as possible. Different people will have varying levels.
If we accept that these reading rates are fairly standard, it should be the aim of every reader to be reading more than 500 words per minute but at the same time, not to lose comprehension.
Why is reading faster important anyhow?
The reason why it is generally considered important to read with at least some modicum of speed is because it is clear that, as is the case with a reader who reads too fast, a person who is reading slowly most probably does not understanding what it is that they have read. Here, it is generally accepted that a slow reader is unable to retain the information that /he has just read in his/her memory. In other words, by the time they have completed the sentence they have read, they've forgotten what the beginning of the sentence was about!
Improving your speed: Improve your comprehension
Having read the above, if you believe that you need to increase the rate you read at, with the aim of furthering both your speed reading and comprehension skills, the following are 5 brief tips to help you further your reading skills:
1. Check your eye:
One of the most commonly cited (no pun intended) reasons why people have problems reading at high speed is because they either cannot see clearly what it is they are reading, or that they suffer from headaches if they read too much, for too long. If you feel these symptoms may be affecting your reading abilities, it may well be worth having your eyes checked, as there is a chance you may be suffering from some form of eye defect.
2. Read in comfort:
Reading should be a pleasure, not a chore. If you make reading a chore, you will have problems comprehending what it is you are reading. On the other hand, don't make your reading environment too laid back - you may find then that you just want to go to sleep! Adapt your environment (for example, chair, lighting, etc.) to maximize your reading pleasure.
3. Reading material:
It is very important that you keep in mind what the material is that you are reading. If you are reading the latest blockbuster novel, there's every chance you can read faster, and comprehend more, than would be the case if you are reading the text book for your next exam. As such, it is always useful if you keep the old adage "horses for courses" in mind.
4. Try to avoid talking (vocalization):
Many of us enjoy [lip] talking (vocalizing) out the words of our reading material as we read it. This actually causes an obvious problem: we can read faster than we can talk! So, if you find that you have the habit of talking when you read, try to cure this habit and you may well find that you increase the speed at which you read.
5. Block-reading and re-reading:
As we grow older, we should be able to develop the skill of "block-reading". Essentially "block-reading" means that you have the ability to read more than one word at a time; for example, you can read whole paragraphs in one go. This skill is enhanced by training your eye to broaden its span so as to take in more. Likewise, re-reading, or regressed reading as it is also known, is a habit you should try to eliminate.
Generally, studies indicate that readers who read 250 words per minute (the 'average' reader) regress/reread material on a page up to 20 times. Essentially this regress/rereading has two major faults:
(i) it means you are not comprehending what you have read the first time; and
(ii) it is utilizing valuable time you could be using to read more.
As such, eliminating both of these habits is considered good practice.
Conclusion
Developing speed reading skills at the expense of comprehension is counter-productive. Ultimately, the comprehension of what you are reading is achieved not by reading fast, nor by reading slowly, but by reading at your optimum speed.
Consequently, trying to find an optimum between the speed you read at and the overall comprehension you have of the material is the key to good reading skills. What follows is a brief look at how you can try to optimize your speed reading and comprehension at the same time.
Speed and comprehension
It should be the goal of every individual who wishes to read efficiently to understand what they are reading, learn from it, and then move on. Reading should not be an activity which we linger over. In this regard, it is generally accepted that someone who can read between 250 and 300 words per minute is an average reader. Those who read less than 250 words per minute are slow readers. And those who read more than 500 words per minute are speed readers. However, there comes a point when reading too fast would make you lose your comprehension.
If that's the case, what should be the optimum speed? Only you can tell because you'll need to test it out yourself and try to stretch it as much as possible. Different people will have varying levels.
If we accept that these reading rates are fairly standard, it should be the aim of every reader to be reading more than 500 words per minute but at the same time, not to lose comprehension.
Why is reading faster important anyhow?
The reason why it is generally considered important to read with at least some modicum of speed is because it is clear that, as is the case with a reader who reads too fast, a person who is reading slowly most probably does not understanding what it is that they have read. Here, it is generally accepted that a slow reader is unable to retain the information that /he has just read in his/her memory. In other words, by the time they have completed the sentence they have read, they've forgotten what the beginning of the sentence was about!
Improving your speed: Improve your comprehension
Having read the above, if you believe that you need to increase the rate you read at, with the aim of furthering both your speed reading and comprehension skills, the following are 5 brief tips to help you further your reading skills:
1. Check your eye:
One of the most commonly cited (no pun intended) reasons why people have problems reading at high speed is because they either cannot see clearly what it is they are reading, or that they suffer from headaches if they read too much, for too long. If you feel these symptoms may be affecting your reading abilities, it may well be worth having your eyes checked, as there is a chance you may be suffering from some form of eye defect.
2. Read in comfort:
Reading should be a pleasure, not a chore. If you make reading a chore, you will have problems comprehending what it is you are reading. On the other hand, don't make your reading environment too laid back - you may find then that you just want to go to sleep! Adapt your environment (for example, chair, lighting, etc.) to maximize your reading pleasure.
3. Reading material:
It is very important that you keep in mind what the material is that you are reading. If you are reading the latest blockbuster novel, there's every chance you can read faster, and comprehend more, than would be the case if you are reading the text book for your next exam. As such, it is always useful if you keep the old adage "horses for courses" in mind.
4. Try to avoid talking (vocalization):
Many of us enjoy [lip] talking (vocalizing) out the words of our reading material as we read it. This actually causes an obvious problem: we can read faster than we can talk! So, if you find that you have the habit of talking when you read, try to cure this habit and you may well find that you increase the speed at which you read.
5. Block-reading and re-reading:
As we grow older, we should be able to develop the skill of "block-reading". Essentially "block-reading" means that you have the ability to read more than one word at a time; for example, you can read whole paragraphs in one go. This skill is enhanced by training your eye to broaden its span so as to take in more. Likewise, re-reading, or regressed reading as it is also known, is a habit you should try to eliminate.
Generally, studies indicate that readers who read 250 words per minute (the 'average' reader) regress/reread material on a page up to 20 times. Essentially this regress/rereading has two major faults:
(i) it means you are not comprehending what you have read the first time; and
(ii) it is utilizing valuable time you could be using to read more.
As such, eliminating both of these habits is considered good practice.
Conclusion
Developing speed reading skills at the expense of comprehension is counter-productive. Ultimately, the comprehension of what you are reading is achieved not by reading fast, nor by reading slowly, but by reading at your optimum speed.
Vocalization - The Biggest Hurdle In Speed Reading
Very often, when perusing materials relating to improving your speed reading skills, you'll see comments to the effect that vocalization is the biggest hurdle in speed reading. Moreover, if you do happen to be one of those people who vocalize when you read, you'll need to overcome this practice if you want to significantly increase your reading speed.
All of this is a roundabout way of saying that those of us who vocalize our words when we speed read have not perfected our speed reading skills. Having said that, what is vocalization - and why is it seen as being one of the biggest hurdles in speed reading?
Vocalization explained
"Vocalization", or subvocalization as it is sometimes also known, is the practice of pronouncing/speaking words out aloud, albeit under your breath or even in your head, as you read materials. The argument goes that this is a common flaw in most people's reading skills as it is a habit adopted from our formative years, when we were encouraged, by our teachers, peers and parents, to speak-out the words we were reading. The net result of all this is that we place a limit on our ability to speed read if we vocalize the words as we read. This is because part of our brain needed to vocalize the words being read has to be activated.
Vocalization - the cons
The overwhelming reason why vocalization is seen as negative is the fact that it inhibits your ability to speed read - it slows you down! Here, empirical observation seems to suggest that those who vocalize are unable to read more than 300 words per minute - and are likely unable to exceed 250 words per minute. Although reading at a rate of between 250 and 300 words per minute would make you an average reader, speed reading techniques should help you to reach at least 500 words per minute. Furthermore, opponents of vocalization argue that rather than helping a reader to comprehend the text being read, vocalization is a barrier to such comprehension; therefore, vocalization is a hurdle not only to speed reading, but also comprehending what is being read.
Vocalization - the pros
Proponents of vocalization who argue that vocalization is actually a good thing, base their counter-argument on two principles. First, they argue that most people are able to speak faster than they can read. Vocalization, where you speak as you read, therefore enables us to read faster - not slower. Second, vocalization is a process that involves repeating what one has just read. Thus, by repeating something we have just read we are far more likely to be able to retain that information in our brain than would be the case if we merely only read the material. Both of these are strong arguments: they both lead to a logical and persuasive argument that vocalization equals a better understanding of the text that we are reading.
And finally, another argument in favor of vocalization harps back to the very reason why we may vocalize in the first place: because vocalization of text helps us in our skills of verbally pronouncing the word being read.
Nonetheless, there are undoubtedly HUGE flaws with vocalization. One of these is the need to re-read material that we have only just read, which is another commonly cited limitation on one's ability to speed read.
Vocalization - eliminating this bad habit
No tried and tested method of curing vocalization has come to the forefront of speed reading techniques. Rather, what is often cited is the need to cure the problem through disciplining yourself not to speak out (vocalize) the words that you are reading as you read them. However, if you have been reading for some time, re-training yourself so that you don't vocalize words can be exhausting and time consuming!
In this regard, one method that has become popular is to read using a marker. The argument goes that if you drag the marker along the page as you read, you are less likely to vocalize your words and more like to be able to read faster. Another method of avoiding vocalization is to readjust the focus of your eyes. Adjusting the focus of your eyes by zooming in on a word and then adjusting your eye focus outwards to see the broader picture of a whole paragraph enables you to read faster as it increases the number of words your eyes can focus on at any one time!
All of this is a roundabout way of saying that those of us who vocalize our words when we speed read have not perfected our speed reading skills. Having said that, what is vocalization - and why is it seen as being one of the biggest hurdles in speed reading?
Vocalization explained
"Vocalization", or subvocalization as it is sometimes also known, is the practice of pronouncing/speaking words out aloud, albeit under your breath or even in your head, as you read materials. The argument goes that this is a common flaw in most people's reading skills as it is a habit adopted from our formative years, when we were encouraged, by our teachers, peers and parents, to speak-out the words we were reading. The net result of all this is that we place a limit on our ability to speed read if we vocalize the words as we read. This is because part of our brain needed to vocalize the words being read has to be activated.
Vocalization - the cons
The overwhelming reason why vocalization is seen as negative is the fact that it inhibits your ability to speed read - it slows you down! Here, empirical observation seems to suggest that those who vocalize are unable to read more than 300 words per minute - and are likely unable to exceed 250 words per minute. Although reading at a rate of between 250 and 300 words per minute would make you an average reader, speed reading techniques should help you to reach at least 500 words per minute. Furthermore, opponents of vocalization argue that rather than helping a reader to comprehend the text being read, vocalization is a barrier to such comprehension; therefore, vocalization is a hurdle not only to speed reading, but also comprehending what is being read.
Vocalization - the pros
Proponents of vocalization who argue that vocalization is actually a good thing, base their counter-argument on two principles. First, they argue that most people are able to speak faster than they can read. Vocalization, where you speak as you read, therefore enables us to read faster - not slower. Second, vocalization is a process that involves repeating what one has just read. Thus, by repeating something we have just read we are far more likely to be able to retain that information in our brain than would be the case if we merely only read the material. Both of these are strong arguments: they both lead to a logical and persuasive argument that vocalization equals a better understanding of the text that we are reading.
And finally, another argument in favor of vocalization harps back to the very reason why we may vocalize in the first place: because vocalization of text helps us in our skills of verbally pronouncing the word being read.
Nonetheless, there are undoubtedly HUGE flaws with vocalization. One of these is the need to re-read material that we have only just read, which is another commonly cited limitation on one's ability to speed read.
Vocalization - eliminating this bad habit
No tried and tested method of curing vocalization has come to the forefront of speed reading techniques. Rather, what is often cited is the need to cure the problem through disciplining yourself not to speak out (vocalize) the words that you are reading as you read them. However, if you have been reading for some time, re-training yourself so that you don't vocalize words can be exhausting and time consuming!
In this regard, one method that has become popular is to read using a marker. The argument goes that if you drag the marker along the page as you read, you are less likely to vocalize your words and more like to be able to read faster. Another method of avoiding vocalization is to readjust the focus of your eyes. Adjusting the focus of your eyes by zooming in on a word and then adjusting your eye focus outwards to see the broader picture of a whole paragraph enables you to read faster as it increases the number of words your eyes can focus on at any one time!
Is Speed Reading For Everyone?
Below we set out some of the circumstances under which it may be beneficial to be able to speed read and other circumstances where it may not be so beneficial to be able to speed read:
When it is beneficial to speed read
Essentially, the great joy of being able to speed read is the ability to take in large volumes of data over as short a period as possible. Consequently, those of us who find ourselves in circumstances where we need to read excessive amount of information in a short period of time; and, importantly, to comprehend that material at the same time, will benefit from this skill. Such persons include:
* School students:
School students are ideal candidates for speed reading skills because they are at an age where they can still absorb new concepts and ideas, whilst also having the need to have advanced reading skills in order to be able to read lots of school texts;
* College students:
As with school students, college students need to be able to read lots of textbook material in a short space of time. Therefore, the ability to be able to speed read is an important and useful skill.
* Work employees:
Those of us who are working "white-collar" clerical jobs certainly need to have the ability to speed read as this will cut-down on an otherwise very long day. With almost all of the world's reading material being generated in offices, as faxes, memos, letters, reports, etc. being able to speed read becomes more important as time progresses, not less!
* English language students:
As speed reading skills enable you to comprehend what you are reading better, English language students are an often quoted group of people who benefit from the ability to be able to speed read.
* Pleasure:
With the amount of advertising in modern magazines, the ability to speed read is vital if you want to read this month's magazine before next month's issue! And, that's nothing compared to Sunday's edition of the newspaper. Can you image trying to read Sunday's paper without speed reading skills? - Well, it simply cannot be done these days!
In short, it doesn't really matter what stage of your life you are at, the ability to be able to speed read is an essential one.
Occasions when speed reading may not be beneficial
Having said that speed reading is an essential element no matter what stage you are at in your life, there are a number of circumstances under which it may not be overly beneficial to be able to speed read. These include:
* If you have a reading problem:
Speed reading techniques use cluster methods. This is to say, the reader needs to group whole paragraphs together and skim read them. However, if a person has a reading disability that doesn't allow them to be able to process the clustering of paragraphs easily, then this may result in a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or even slowness. In such circumstances, it is far better for the confidence of the reader if they resort to traditional methods of reading each word on the page word-by-word.
* Age:
Care needs to be taken at what age a student starts to learn to speed read as certain clinical studies have shown that students who try to learn to speed read too early can be left with counterproductive problems - such as dyslexia. As such, it is not recommended that children below 10 learn to speed read.
* Comprehension:
In certain circumstances some readers who speed read are left with a loss of comprehension of the reading material, rather than more. If this is the case, then invoking speed reading skill may be counterproductive.
To sum it up, like most things in life, the ability to speed read is something most of us should try to conquer, which is not to say that it is necessarily beneficial to all of us, nor that we should invoke it at all times.
Learn it and use it to your advantage, as and when is needed.
By Melvin Ng
When it is beneficial to speed read
Essentially, the great joy of being able to speed read is the ability to take in large volumes of data over as short a period as possible. Consequently, those of us who find ourselves in circumstances where we need to read excessive amount of information in a short period of time; and, importantly, to comprehend that material at the same time, will benefit from this skill. Such persons include:
* School students:
School students are ideal candidates for speed reading skills because they are at an age where they can still absorb new concepts and ideas, whilst also having the need to have advanced reading skills in order to be able to read lots of school texts;
* College students:
As with school students, college students need to be able to read lots of textbook material in a short space of time. Therefore, the ability to be able to speed read is an important and useful skill.
* Work employees:
Those of us who are working "white-collar" clerical jobs certainly need to have the ability to speed read as this will cut-down on an otherwise very long day. With almost all of the world's reading material being generated in offices, as faxes, memos, letters, reports, etc. being able to speed read becomes more important as time progresses, not less!
* English language students:
As speed reading skills enable you to comprehend what you are reading better, English language students are an often quoted group of people who benefit from the ability to be able to speed read.
* Pleasure:
With the amount of advertising in modern magazines, the ability to speed read is vital if you want to read this month's magazine before next month's issue! And, that's nothing compared to Sunday's edition of the newspaper. Can you image trying to read Sunday's paper without speed reading skills? - Well, it simply cannot be done these days!
In short, it doesn't really matter what stage of your life you are at, the ability to be able to speed read is an essential one.
Occasions when speed reading may not be beneficial
Having said that speed reading is an essential element no matter what stage you are at in your life, there are a number of circumstances under which it may not be overly beneficial to be able to speed read. These include:
* If you have a reading problem:
Speed reading techniques use cluster methods. This is to say, the reader needs to group whole paragraphs together and skim read them. However, if a person has a reading disability that doesn't allow them to be able to process the clustering of paragraphs easily, then this may result in a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or even slowness. In such circumstances, it is far better for the confidence of the reader if they resort to traditional methods of reading each word on the page word-by-word.
* Age:
Care needs to be taken at what age a student starts to learn to speed read as certain clinical studies have shown that students who try to learn to speed read too early can be left with counterproductive problems - such as dyslexia. As such, it is not recommended that children below 10 learn to speed read.
* Comprehension:
In certain circumstances some readers who speed read are left with a loss of comprehension of the reading material, rather than more. If this is the case, then invoking speed reading skill may be counterproductive.
To sum it up, like most things in life, the ability to speed read is something most of us should try to conquer, which is not to say that it is necessarily beneficial to all of us, nor that we should invoke it at all times.
Learn it and use it to your advantage, as and when is needed.
By Melvin Ng
How To Speed Read
We live in the age of information, and we must read extensively if we want to be successful in our studies, or careers. Schools and colleges have discovered that courses in reading skills give enormous aid to students struggling under the heavier loads of today's scholastic programs. Young men and women trained in Modern Reading show distinct advantages over those who lack this kind of preparation.
In recent years millions of Americans have learned that it is not enough just to read more. Under today's information pressures you must read faster and read better. Many new speed reading techniques have been developed recently that have produced dramatic results in faster reading times, and are training people to read in a better more intelligent way. It is the purpose of this article about Modem Reading to discuss how we can all do just that.
These new speed reading techniques teach you how to read faster, and still comprehend what you are reading, which is an essential skill in today's fast moving environment. If reading has seemed difficult before, speed reading will show you how to make it almost effortless. You will learn the skills by which rapid readers gain their speed, and how to gain speed yourself. As you read faster you will also read better, and comprehend more.
You will find your reading skills increasing from the very start, and with serious application, you will soon be speed reading with ease.
You need to learn the skills necessary to take advantage of the two greatest time savers associated with speed reading; the technique of pre-reading, and skimming documents effectively. Poor reading habits will not go away by themselves, but with a little effort on your part, speed reading can guide you down the path of better and more enjoyable reading.
The skills developed when you learn to speed read are designed to overcome handicaps which keep most untrained readers from the pleasures of stretching their knowledge, and help you move ahead to achieve the rewards of better reading.
By Ken Asselin
In recent years millions of Americans have learned that it is not enough just to read more. Under today's information pressures you must read faster and read better. Many new speed reading techniques have been developed recently that have produced dramatic results in faster reading times, and are training people to read in a better more intelligent way. It is the purpose of this article about Modem Reading to discuss how we can all do just that.
These new speed reading techniques teach you how to read faster, and still comprehend what you are reading, which is an essential skill in today's fast moving environment. If reading has seemed difficult before, speed reading will show you how to make it almost effortless. You will learn the skills by which rapid readers gain their speed, and how to gain speed yourself. As you read faster you will also read better, and comprehend more.
You will find your reading skills increasing from the very start, and with serious application, you will soon be speed reading with ease.
You need to learn the skills necessary to take advantage of the two greatest time savers associated with speed reading; the technique of pre-reading, and skimming documents effectively. Poor reading habits will not go away by themselves, but with a little effort on your part, speed reading can guide you down the path of better and more enjoyable reading.
The skills developed when you learn to speed read are designed to overcome handicaps which keep most untrained readers from the pleasures of stretching their knowledge, and help you move ahead to achieve the rewards of better reading.
By Ken Asselin
Putting Reading First
Its well documented that when children develop good reading skills early on, they are much more likely to be better learners and better educated. Reading is the foundation for success for all other subject matter and the level of success throughout life for the child.
Learning to read isnt an easy task for a child. This is why it is so very important that you as the parent is a model for reading and work with and encourage your child to read each and every day.
As a parent or homeschooling parent, you should help insure that your child develops essential skills associated with reading such as:
> Use of language and vocabulary.
> Having your child respond after listening to stories read short paragraphs and have your child tell you about what they just heard.
> Lean and recognize the alphabet and letters use everyday items around your house to use as examples. For example, cut out big letters and have your child find items around the house that begin with that letter and stick the letter to them.
> Work with your child to connect the sound the letters make to the spoken language.
> Read and read often to your child so they know that reading is a daily activity.
> Work daily with your child to add a new word to their vocabulary.
> Discuss with your child what was just read. This helps you monitor their level of comprehension.
These skills are vitally important for the pre-first grade level reader. Once you child gets to the first grade level the focus becomes building upon these skills that the will set the stage for the child essentially for the rest of their lives. As a parent its not enough to merely incorporate these skills into your childs daily activities, you keep your fingers on the pulse of your childs progress and understanding. At this early age, it is critical to get the reading journey off on the right foot.
At its simplest form, reading is a skill. Just like any other skill, it takes practice to become proficient at it. In fact, reading is such an important skill it takes more practice than a child will receive if they attend a traditional school. As a parent you need to augment the schools reading program with daily reading time at home. If you are homeschooling, make reading a daily top priority type of activity.
Introduce your child to your local library as soon as you can. Get them signed up for summer reading programs. Set aside an area in your home where your child can have and develop a library all their own. Put their favorite chair in their library or where they like to read and have you read to them.
Reading truly is fundamental to education and successes. Without good reading skills, much of life will always be a struggle. Build a sound and solid foundation for your child by ensuring early on that you help establish a love for reading in your child and success will follow.
By Mary Joyce
Learning to read isnt an easy task for a child. This is why it is so very important that you as the parent is a model for reading and work with and encourage your child to read each and every day.
As a parent or homeschooling parent, you should help insure that your child develops essential skills associated with reading such as:
> Use of language and vocabulary.
> Having your child respond after listening to stories read short paragraphs and have your child tell you about what they just heard.
> Lean and recognize the alphabet and letters use everyday items around your house to use as examples. For example, cut out big letters and have your child find items around the house that begin with that letter and stick the letter to them.
> Work with your child to connect the sound the letters make to the spoken language.
> Read and read often to your child so they know that reading is a daily activity.
> Work daily with your child to add a new word to their vocabulary.
> Discuss with your child what was just read. This helps you monitor their level of comprehension.
These skills are vitally important for the pre-first grade level reader. Once you child gets to the first grade level the focus becomes building upon these skills that the will set the stage for the child essentially for the rest of their lives. As a parent its not enough to merely incorporate these skills into your childs daily activities, you keep your fingers on the pulse of your childs progress and understanding. At this early age, it is critical to get the reading journey off on the right foot.
At its simplest form, reading is a skill. Just like any other skill, it takes practice to become proficient at it. In fact, reading is such an important skill it takes more practice than a child will receive if they attend a traditional school. As a parent you need to augment the schools reading program with daily reading time at home. If you are homeschooling, make reading a daily top priority type of activity.
Introduce your child to your local library as soon as you can. Get them signed up for summer reading programs. Set aside an area in your home where your child can have and develop a library all their own. Put their favorite chair in their library or where they like to read and have you read to them.
Reading truly is fundamental to education and successes. Without good reading skills, much of life will always be a struggle. Build a sound and solid foundation for your child by ensuring early on that you help establish a love for reading in your child and success will follow.
By Mary Joyce
Children And Reading - The Critical Connection
Why Do We Tell Children to Read ?
We're always telling children that books and reading are good for them, but have we ever really thought about why that's true ? Exactly what do older children get from reading novels or younger kids from reading children's stories and being read to ? Does reading matter ?
The purpose of this article is to say that, yes, it does. Reading truly is important, and there are some solid reasons why. Let's begin with the practical benefits and then move on to the less tangible rewards of a life filled with reading.
Books Help Children Develop Vital Language Skills
Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children. Not only is it necessary for survival in the world of schools and (later on) universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems and consumer protection to more academic research into science or the arts depends on the ability to read.
The more children read, the better they become at reading. It's as simple as that. The more enjoyable the things they read are, the more they'll stick with them and develop the reading skills that they'll need for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be viewed as a pleasurable activity - as a source of entertaining tales and useful and interesting factual information.
The more young children are read to, the greater their interest in mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes children to proper grammar and phrasing. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally.
Reading, by way of books, stories, magazines or websites, exposes kids to new vocabulary. Even when they don't understand every new word, they absorb something from the context that may deepen their understanding of it the next time the word is encountered. When parents read aloud to children, the children also hear correct pronunciation as they see the words on the page, even if they can't yet read the words on their own.
Reading Can Open Up New Worlds and Enrich Children's Lives
Reading opens doors - doors to factual information about any subject on earth, practical or theoretical. It provides access to all of the accumulated knowledge of mankind, access to all of the great minds and ideas of the past and present. It truly is magic !
Through books, children can also learn about people and places from other parts of the world, improving their understanding of and concern for all of humanity. This, in turn, contributes towards our sense that we truly live in a "global village" and may help us bring about a more peaceful future for everyone. This can happen through nonfiction but, perhaps even more importantly, reading novels that are set in other places and time periods can give children a deeper understanding of others through identification with individual characters and their plights.
Through stories and novels children can vicariously try out new experiences and test new ideas, with no negative consequences in their real lives. They can meet characters who they'll enjoy returning to for comforting and satisfying visits when they reread a cherished book or discover a sequel. Books also give kids the opportunity to flex their critical thinking skills in such areas as problem solving, the concepts of cause and effect, conflict resolution, and acceptance of responsibility for one's actions. Mysteries allow children to follow clues to their logical conclusions and to try to outguess the author. Even for very young children, a simple story with a repetitive refrain or a simple mystery to solve gives a confidence boost. Children can predict the patterns and successfully solve the riddles.
Children are influenced by and imitate the world around them. While a steady diet of violent cartoons may have a detrimental effect on children's development, carefully chosen stories and books can have a positive influence on children, sensitizing them to the needs of others. For example, books can encourage children to be more cooperative, to share with others, to be kind to animals, or to respect the natural environment.
Reading Can Enhance Relationships
Although reading is thought of as the quintessential solitary activity, in certain circumstances reading can be a socializing activity. For example, a parent or grandparent reading a story aloud, whether from a traditional printed book or from an ebook, can be a great opportunity for adult and child to share some quiet, relaxed quality time together away from the rush and stresses of the business of daily living. They share a few minutes of precious time, plus they share the ideas that are contained in the story. In addition, older children can be encouraged to read aloud to younger ones as a means of enhancing their relationship.
Reading Can Provide Children with Plenty of Good, Clean Fun
I've saved the most important point for last. Reading can provide children with endless hours of fun and entertainment. All of the pragmatic reasons above aren't at all necessary to justify reading's place in children's lives. Stories can free up imaginations and open up exciting new worlds of fantasy or reality. They allow children to dream and may give them a good start on the road to viewing reading as a lifelong source of pleasure; so read to your young children every day.
Inspire your older children to read. Give them access to plenty of reading material that they'll enjoy and discuss it with them. Sample everything - traditional printed books and ebooks on Internet, classic children's novels and fairy tales, as well as more modern stories.
If a child wants to hear the same story over and over again, don't worry about it. Children take comfort from the familiarity and predictability of a beloved story that they know by heart. There's no harm in that. Reread old favorites and, at the same time, introduce your children to new stories. Your child's mind and heart have room for both.
So Reading Really Does Matter After All !
There are so many ways in which reading continues to be both a vital skill for children to master, and an important source of knowledge and pleasure that can last a lifetime. Nurture it in your children. Make the most of all the resources that are available and waiting for you: printed books, online stories, magazines and so forth. Encourage follow-up activities involving creative writing skills and the arts, as well, so that your children can reflect upon or expand on what they've absorbed and, at the same time, develop their own creativity. As you help your kids appreciate the magic of reading, you'll find that there's a whole wonderful world full of children's literature out there that YOU can enjoy too.
By Barbara Freedman-De Vito
We're always telling children that books and reading are good for them, but have we ever really thought about why that's true ? Exactly what do older children get from reading novels or younger kids from reading children's stories and being read to ? Does reading matter ?
The purpose of this article is to say that, yes, it does. Reading truly is important, and there are some solid reasons why. Let's begin with the practical benefits and then move on to the less tangible rewards of a life filled with reading.
Books Help Children Develop Vital Language Skills
Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children. Not only is it necessary for survival in the world of schools and (later on) universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems and consumer protection to more academic research into science or the arts depends on the ability to read.
The more children read, the better they become at reading. It's as simple as that. The more enjoyable the things they read are, the more they'll stick with them and develop the reading skills that they'll need for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be viewed as a pleasurable activity - as a source of entertaining tales and useful and interesting factual information.
The more young children are read to, the greater their interest in mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes children to proper grammar and phrasing. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally.
Reading, by way of books, stories, magazines or websites, exposes kids to new vocabulary. Even when they don't understand every new word, they absorb something from the context that may deepen their understanding of it the next time the word is encountered. When parents read aloud to children, the children also hear correct pronunciation as they see the words on the page, even if they can't yet read the words on their own.
Reading Can Open Up New Worlds and Enrich Children's Lives
Reading opens doors - doors to factual information about any subject on earth, practical or theoretical. It provides access to all of the accumulated knowledge of mankind, access to all of the great minds and ideas of the past and present. It truly is magic !
Through books, children can also learn about people and places from other parts of the world, improving their understanding of and concern for all of humanity. This, in turn, contributes towards our sense that we truly live in a "global village" and may help us bring about a more peaceful future for everyone. This can happen through nonfiction but, perhaps even more importantly, reading novels that are set in other places and time periods can give children a deeper understanding of others through identification with individual characters and their plights.
Through stories and novels children can vicariously try out new experiences and test new ideas, with no negative consequences in their real lives. They can meet characters who they'll enjoy returning to for comforting and satisfying visits when they reread a cherished book or discover a sequel. Books also give kids the opportunity to flex their critical thinking skills in such areas as problem solving, the concepts of cause and effect, conflict resolution, and acceptance of responsibility for one's actions. Mysteries allow children to follow clues to their logical conclusions and to try to outguess the author. Even for very young children, a simple story with a repetitive refrain or a simple mystery to solve gives a confidence boost. Children can predict the patterns and successfully solve the riddles.
Children are influenced by and imitate the world around them. While a steady diet of violent cartoons may have a detrimental effect on children's development, carefully chosen stories and books can have a positive influence on children, sensitizing them to the needs of others. For example, books can encourage children to be more cooperative, to share with others, to be kind to animals, or to respect the natural environment.
Reading Can Enhance Relationships
Although reading is thought of as the quintessential solitary activity, in certain circumstances reading can be a socializing activity. For example, a parent or grandparent reading a story aloud, whether from a traditional printed book or from an ebook, can be a great opportunity for adult and child to share some quiet, relaxed quality time together away from the rush and stresses of the business of daily living. They share a few minutes of precious time, plus they share the ideas that are contained in the story. In addition, older children can be encouraged to read aloud to younger ones as a means of enhancing their relationship.
Reading Can Provide Children with Plenty of Good, Clean Fun
I've saved the most important point for last. Reading can provide children with endless hours of fun and entertainment. All of the pragmatic reasons above aren't at all necessary to justify reading's place in children's lives. Stories can free up imaginations and open up exciting new worlds of fantasy or reality. They allow children to dream and may give them a good start on the road to viewing reading as a lifelong source of pleasure; so read to your young children every day.
Inspire your older children to read. Give them access to plenty of reading material that they'll enjoy and discuss it with them. Sample everything - traditional printed books and ebooks on Internet, classic children's novels and fairy tales, as well as more modern stories.
If a child wants to hear the same story over and over again, don't worry about it. Children take comfort from the familiarity and predictability of a beloved story that they know by heart. There's no harm in that. Reread old favorites and, at the same time, introduce your children to new stories. Your child's mind and heart have room for both.
So Reading Really Does Matter After All !
There are so many ways in which reading continues to be both a vital skill for children to master, and an important source of knowledge and pleasure that can last a lifetime. Nurture it in your children. Make the most of all the resources that are available and waiting for you: printed books, online stories, magazines and so forth. Encourage follow-up activities involving creative writing skills and the arts, as well, so that your children can reflect upon or expand on what they've absorbed and, at the same time, develop their own creativity. As you help your kids appreciate the magic of reading, you'll find that there's a whole wonderful world full of children's literature out there that YOU can enjoy too.
By Barbara Freedman-De Vito
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