All posts by Admin Staff

Helping Your Child With Spelling

Many children struggle with spelling. This is a common cause of poor performance on school tests. While some kids merely memorize words, others may find it nearly impossible to learn spelling in the first place because they don’t have a learning strategy. Thus, to improve the child’s spelling, parents must devote extra time at home and make efforts to identify more effective learning techniques.

The Need To Spell Correctly

Knowing how to spell different words correctly can improve the child’s reading and writing skills. It not only enables him to remember the sequence of letters in a word; it helps to understand how a word is pronounced and written. This enables less stammering and a higher level of confidence, opening the door to better grades.

Ways To Teach Spelling

There is no fixed rule for teaching a child to spell. Parents should try a variety of methods to determine those that work the best. Listed below are some ways that can help to improve your child’s spelling:

  • Encourage to read

A good reader has a better visual memory. Reading out loud can help the child to be familiar with how the words look and sound. Both visual and auditory senses are helpful in improving word recognition and reducing spelling mistakes.

  • Use a dictionary

The child should be encouraged to use a dictionary to look for various words and their spellings. Parents, however, should not let the child be completely dependent on a dictionary. They should first ask him to attempt to spell the word. Then, let him check the spelling in the dictionary and correct his mistakes.

  • Create Flash cards

Flash cards are a great method to improve your child’s spelling by helping develop his memory. Write the words he finds difficult on these cards. Pin them on the notice board in his room or stick them on the wall so he can see them frequently. She may also carry the cards to school and review them while eating or walking.

  • Write On A Chalk Board

Hang a small chalk board in your kid’s room and start a ‘one day, one word’ rule to learn difficult spellings. Write a new word on the chalk board every day and use colored chalks to highlight the silent letters and confusing parts of the words such as ‘ie’, ‘ei’ etc.

  • Prepare A List

Help your child to prepare a list of words that he finds difficult to spell. New words may be added every day and let him revise what he has already learned. Set new goals with your child each day and help him to achieve them. Have discussions about new words, make sentences and link them with hints to improve his memory.

  • Spelling And Vocabulary Quick Reference Guide

This guide helps the child to understand the word patterns in a better way. It features a number of commonly misspelled words and a list of homophones with their meanings. The guide also contains information about nouns, pronouns, verbs etc. which helps the child to develop a rich vocabulary and lower his spelling mistakes.

See-N-Spell™ is a spelling and vocabulary reference booklet offered by See-N-Read® Reading Tools. It can help to improve academic vocabulary and reduce misspelling. For more information about the reading tool, you can go to or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Tips To Improve Your Online Reading Skills

Reading is a great activity that not only enhances knowledge and uplifts mood but also improves concentration. People who start reading at an early age develop analytical thinking skills that greatly helps their decision making abilities later in life. It also helps to improve vocabulary and enables readers to gain a better understanding about the topic.

Nowadays, the internet has brought the library into our pockets. You can scroll through a list of e-books by any writer in a variety of genres. However, there are certain people who may face difficulty while reading online, such as eye strain, screen glace, word/line skipping etc. Listed below are some tips which can help to improve your online reading skills:

  • Use tricks, save time: For a faster reading, you can practice skimming and note making techniques. Skimming provides a clear idea about the topic so you know what exactly is being discussed. On the other hand, note making involves segregating important information that is required for an in-depth reading. Both these techniques save time and enhance the reading skills.
  • Adjust the screen: In order to get a better view and reduce fatigue while reading, you can adjust the computer screen parallel to the eye level. You can also change the screen brightness according to the lighting conditions in your room. This can help to provide a comfortable reading experience and improve your fluency as well as concentration.
  • Do not disturb: The setting of your room should be such that you can minimize the distractions and noises. Effective reading can be done in tranquility so that you do not lose your focus. It will help to enhance your concentration.
  • Block the ads: Change your settings to block the pop-ups. These are ads that can be quite distracting while reading. You can also download some apps that will permanently block these pop-ups.
  • Use reading tools: There are various tools available which can be used to improve on-screen reading speed and minimize distractions. The reading strip provided in these tools help to prevent word-line skipping and reduce screen glare as well as eye strain.
  • Regular Practice: It is important to practice on a regular basis as it will help you comprehend and read faster online. Consider reading on topics that you find interesting to avoid getting bored. This will help to improve both your reading fluency and speed. You can take online comprehension tests to keep a track of your progress. It can motivate you to improve further.

If you are fond of reading online, these tips can surely help to make your reading experience enjoyable.

See-N-Read Reading Tools can help to improve your online reading skills and fluency. For more information, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Why Some Children Have Difficulties Learning To Read

If your child has problem in reading, it can not only affect his academic performance but also lower his self-confidence. It is necessary to understand the cause behind the reading difficulties in kids to figure out ways to overcome them and improve reading skills.

Here are a few reasons which can cause difficulties in reading among children:

  • Dyslexia: This is one of the most common learning disabilities. Kids with Dyslexia face difficulty in recognizing letters and the sounds associated with them. They may often forget words which have been learned recently. It may take a long time to become familiar with the commonly used words. Dyslexia can also affect the comprehension skills of the kids.
  • Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): It is a condition which impacts the focusing ability of kids. Poor concentration can cause hindrance while reading. If the mind is distracted, the kid may have trouble understanding the context of the reading material. This can not only lower down his reading speed but also affect learning ability.
  • APD (Auditory Processing Disorder): Kids suffering from this condition have trouble processing the information they listen. They have a hard time differentiating between alphabets that have similar sounds, which can make it difficult to read aloud. Thus, this can be another issue why some children have problems learning to read.
  • Visual processing issues: In this disorder, kids are not able to distinguish between the letters. They may have blurred vision which can cause hindrance in reading. Having visual processing issues can affect the learning abilities of the child to a great extent.
  • Reading failure since childhood: Kids who face learning difficulties early in childhood often have a tough time later on. They may not be able to match up with their peers. It is important to diagnose the learning disability at an early stage and use appropriate tools that can improve reading.
  • Autism: Learning basic reading and writing skills can be difficult for a child suffering from Autism. It can also affect his academic performance. Parents and teachers should pay special attention to these kids and devise strategies to help them learn in a better way.

There are various reading improvement and fluency intervention tools which can help the children suffering from these conditions.

See-N-Read Reading Tools can help to overcome learning difficulties among people of all age groups. The research based products are designed to improve reading skills. For more information, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Read Faster With See-N-Read Reading Tools

Reading fast is not just about improving speed to save time and skim the content. It involves reading fluently while being able to comprehend and retain the information for a longer period of time. Speed reading not only facilitates academic success, but also helps an individual in his personal and professional life.

See-N-Read Reading Tools are designed to help readers improve fluency and ensure smooth line-to-line transitions without stopping. The reading strip, ReadBar™, consists of a non-glare transparent window, which allows the readers to view content as small chunks instead of separate words. It helps to filter out the distractions, focus on the content within the reading strip while simultaneously tracking the upcoming information. In addition, the reading tool also allows the reader to smoothly move across the words being read, without losing place on the page.

Here are some other benefits of reading faster with See-N-Read Reading Tools:

Improves Memory

The human brain requires regular training so that it can perform better, even in challenging situations. Speed reading compels the brain to grasp and process information at a faster pace. With regular practice, it will improve your ability to retain information, filter out the irrelevant information and store the important content more quickly.

Boosts Academic Performance

Reading fast can significantly improve the academic performance of the students. This is because they will be able to read comprehension passages, understand the context and answer the questions asked in a much lesser time. Minimizing distractions and controlling eye movements also help the child to maintain complete focus on the reading material.

Reduces Fatigue

A quick reader is likely to cover more information in a much lesser time. It not only saves a lot of time but also reduces fatigue caused due to prolonged strain on the brain and eyes. The time thus saved can also be utilized for other commitments or recreational activities, which ultimately keeps the mind refreshed.

Enhances Logic And Reasoning Ability

Reading is an intellectual exercise that improves your brain’s efficiency in sorting new content and developing connections with the information already stored. When you have a better than normal reading speed, all these processes will also occur at a faster rate. This will ultimately improve your reasoning and problem solving ability.

See-N-Read Reading Tools are an assistive reading technology that helps to improve reading speed and fluency in people of all age groups. For more information about the products, feel free to call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Signs Your Child May Have A Learning Disability

Learning disabilities are neurological problems that can make it difficult for the children to acquire simple skills such as reading and writing. They can also have an impact on the manner in which the child organizes and retrieves information. These days, many assistive reading tools are available to help children with learning disabilities. These tools allow them to read fluently and more accurately reducing distractions on the page.

Listed below are some signs that may indicate your child has a learning disability:

  • Issues in speech: If your child is unable to speak clearly or has a slow language development, he may be having a learning disability. Pay attention if he has a limited vocabulary and finds it difficult to communicate his thoughts. Difficulty with speech clearly indicates some sort of a problem.
  • Poor motor skills: Another sign of learning disability may be poor co-ordination and irregular development of motor skills. Your child may find it difficult to learn how to sit, walk, use scissors or differentiate between colors. As he grows up, he may also have issues in writing letters and numbers.
  • Restless behavior: Some children get easily distracted and display restless behavior most of the time. This is another probable symptom of a learning disability. Your child may not follow your instructions and may not be able to concentrate on what you are saying.
  • Trouble with memorizing things: Children with a learning disability can also have problems with memory and routine. For instance, they will not be able to remember the exact manner in which daily activities need to be performed. There may also be a lot of trouble in understanding and following multiple instructions. Such things may confuse them even more.
  • Clumsy posture: Other signs of a learning disability may include difficulty in performing simple activities such as skipping, jumping or catching. Your child may also be physically clumsy and may keep on bumping into things more often as compared to other kids of his age.

Apart from these, there are certain signs that your child might exhibit during the course of his development. When children are loaded with more responsibilities and start handling complex work, they can display clear symptoms of a specific learning disorder. For instance, they may have difficulty in remembering facts, forming a time-table for finishing a project, organizing thoughts for public speaking etc. As a parent, you need to observe your child in order to understand if he exhibits any signs of a learning disability. Recognizing the symptoms early on can help in tackling the problem effectively.

If your child has a learning disability, consider See-N-Read Reading Tools. The research based products have been designed to overcome moderate to severe learning and reading disabilities in children. For more information about the reading tools, you can call us at (630) 236 – 5592.

How To Improve Reading Speed And Comprehension

Reading fluency is an essential skill which can be inculcated by using various techniques. It can not only help you comprehend information, but also manage time in a better way. Whether you are a student or professional, having good reading skills can be beneficial for you in the long run.  

Here are a few techniques which can improve reading speed and comprehension:

  • Skim material for main ideas: You should scan the outline of the content to get an idea about the information. This will give you a clear picture about the topics that you can skip and those that require more concentration. Understanding the structure of the content can help to improve reading speed.
  • Prioritize your reading: It is essential to categorize the reading material in order of its significance. This can make you aware about the most important aspects and read accordingly.
  • Choose a suitable environment: Reading in a peaceful place without any distractions improves concentration. It is important to set an angle while reading to avoid eye strain and ensure a comfortable reading experience.
  • Improve vocabulary: Improving vocabulary can reduce the time taken to understand a topic. You can maintain a notebook to jot down unfamiliar words as it can help you read faster.
     Reading with a fresh mind:  It is essential to stay focused while reading. You can read preferably in the morning or late at night as the mind is free from distractions at that time.
  • Form questions: You can create questions from the headings given in the reading material. This can help in analyzing the information in a better way. Thus, you will be to read efficiently in a lesser time.
  • Practice: Regular practice can help you comprehend and read faster. Initially you can start with the reading material that you find interesting. This will help in creating a good reading habit.    
  • Eliminate sub vocalization: The habit of sub vocalization (uttering words while reading) can have a great impact on your reading. It can lower down your reading speed and fluency. Thus, sub vocalization should be avoided for better results.
  • Keep a track on your progress: It is a good idea to take a self-test at frequent intervals to keep a check on your reading speed. This can keep you on the right track and provide motivation for further improvement.

See-N-Read Reading Tools aim at improving reading speed and comprehension. The research based tools have been designed to help people of all ages read faster while reducing distractions on the page. For more information, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

ReadBar™ Reading Strip – The Benefits

Children with learning disabilities often find it difficult to concentrate and keep a track on page while reading, which in turn affects their reading speed as well as fluency. Children who have Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, ADHD or those who tend to skip word or lines while reading can greatly benefit from reading strips. These are practical assistive tools aimed at improving the ability of the readers to see, focus and retain any information that they read.

See-N-Read Reading Tools are research based learning products to help struggling readers develop an interest in reading, rather than simply focusing on maintaining place on the page. The products come with a clear ReadBar™, a ruler sized strip with a cut out window that needs to be placed over the sentence being read. The shaded transparent part of the reading strip helps to filter out other distractions, such as tables and images, without entirely blocking the line that has to be read next.  

Besides children, people of any age group with mild to moderate deficiencies in thinking, learning and study skills can benefit from See-N-Read Reading Tools. The reading strip can be a great tool for people who are reading complex material, fatigued, have difficulty controlling their eye movements, read slowly or have comprehension deficiencies. The tools help to develop and utilize unique strategies to improve reading skill, along with the ability to understand, retain as well as apply the learnt knowledge in real life situations.

How Are The Reading Tools Used?

The reading strip needs to be placed on the content so that the text can be read through the cut-out window. Move the strip down as you complete reading a sentence, allowing a smooth line transition and maintaining place on the page. The shaded portion helps the reader to see the content in large chunks to reduce pattern glare and avoid affecting reading speed.  

See-N-Read Reading Tools can be easily used with all types of reading material, including documents, spreadsheets and standardized tests. The reading strips come in two different sizes, “Book” (5 ½” x 3” for regular size books) and “Document” (8 ½” x 3” for larger books and printed documents). The clear window fits most commonly used font sizes.

For more information about the ReadBar™, the reading strip offered by See-N-Read Reading Tools, feel free to call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Fluency Interventions: Tips For Teachers

Fluency is one of the most critical components required for an efficient reading. It not only refers to the ability to read quickly, but also accurately and with the right expression. A fluent reader can easily comprehend the content being read and remember it for a longer period of time. Therefore, reading fluency is important for a child’s academic success.

Here are some fluency intervention tips to help teachers develop reading skills in children:

  • Model Fluent Reading: Teachers must read aloud to the students to make them familiar with the concept of fluent reading. Choose a small and easy paragraph, read at a normal pace, with the right tone to match the words in the content. Read a wide range of genres, including poetry, fiction, fairy tales etc. so that they can identify the difference in speech. You can also make them read a book while listening to its audio version at the same time.  
  • Do Repeated Readings: Allow students to practice the skill by reading the same paragraph again and again. If they are taking longer than usual or are not able to pronounce any word correctly, read it aloud and let them repeat after you. Encourage them to do repeated readings till they attain the desired level of fluency. You can also organize group readings to boost participation and reduce students’ apprehension about making a mistake.
  • Echo Read: It includes reading to the students and making them read back to you simultaneously. This technique will help them recognize the sound and expression of words in the context. By having the printed version of the text you are reading, they will identify the words and add them to their vocabulary. Start by making them echo a small phrase repeatedly before moving to a sentence or a paragraph
  • Promote Phrased Reading: Fluency involves reading information in phrases, rather than word by word. Hence, students must be taught to segregate the content into small but meaningful phrases so that they can understand it easily. They must also be made familiar with the usage and importance of punctuation marks at relevant places throughout the text.

See-N-Read Reading Tools can help to improve reading fluency in students of different ages. The fluency intervention tools help to improve concentration and filter on-page distractions to avoid skipping words/lines while reading. For more information about the reading tools, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

Improve Reading Comprehension – Strategies That Work

Good reading comprehension is essential for success in both academics and everyday life. It helps students understand and retain any information while reading. Improving reading comprehension essentially encompasses three different aspects, pre-reading tasks, reading strategies and post-reading, to efficiently store information into the long-term memory.

Here are some effective strategies that can help to improve reading comprehension:

  • Form Connections: Before starting to read the text, ask the child to have an overview of what the content is all about. Allow him to recollect any similar topics that he may have read before or any connections that he may have. For instance, the passage may mention places that the child has visited in the past. Let him talk about the memories of those places so that he is better able to understand.
  • Read In Chunks: While reading, ask the child to segregate the content into small chunks. Make him stop after each paragraph and recapitulate what all he has read. Put up questions about what happened, the main idea of the lesson and what could happen next. Also, encourage him to highlight the key points so that he can recall and retain information anytime later. Have Him
  • Read Aloud: Reading aloud compels the child to go about slowly, making it easier to understand. Also, he can form connections between the information he already knows and the one he is currently reading. Ask him to jot down any unfamiliar or complex words that he may come across in the text. Hold Post-Reading
  • Discussion: After the child has finished reading, hold a discussion in the classroom where everyone can discuss their doubts. Asking questions, sharing opinions and listening to that of others promote a better understanding of the content. Repeated
  • Readings: It is important for the child to read fluently to improve comprehension. After reading the text once, allow them to go through it once again. Being familiar with the words and context will help them read fast as well as smoothly. Encourage them to frame a story out of the passage, recite it to others and draw inferences to improve retention.

See-N-Read Reading Tools can help to improve reading comprehension in kids of all age groups. The research based products are designed to help children read fluently, while minimizing distractions on the page. To know more about the reading tools, you can call at (630) 236 – 5592.

The Benefits Of Reading Strips For Students

When reading any given content, our eyes must make small stops after a few words along the sentence. However, struggling readers tend to make many more stops, thereby, reducing their reading speed and inhibiting comprehension.  Contrasting font and background colors can make it difficult for them to focus and track smooth line transitions. Reading strips are practical assistive tools that can help students to better visualize, concentrate and retain the information they read. They are usually a ruler sized strips with a transparent shaded cut-out window that is placed over the text being read.

See-N-Read Reading Tools are research based and classroom tested products designed to improve reading skills for children of all age groups. The reading strip helps students to control their eye movements while reading and avoiding problems like skipping words and sentences, repeatedly reading same sentences, losing concentration, swapping letters and reading too close to the page.

How Do Reading Strips Work?

Place the reading strip, ReadBar™, on the page and read the sentence through the cut-out window. Move the strip down the page as you read to maintain concentration and track upcoming information. The transparent shaded portion filters out distractions without blocking the entire reading context.

The reading strips offered by See-N-Read Reading Tools can be easily used with all types of reading material. The ReadBar™ fits almost all commonly used font sizes. The tool is also available for on-screen reading of documents, spreadsheets and standardized tests. The reading strip comes in two different sizes – Book (to be used with small books) and Document (to be used with large books and printed documents).

Benefits Of Reading Strips

  • The clear reading strip helps the readers to keep their eyes focused on a single sentence to control visual field.
  • It controls eye movement for a smooth transition from left to right and top to bottom, without losing place while changing lines.
  • The reading strip also supports chunking reading strategy, allowing the readers to view the content in larger ‘chunks’ for better comprehension and information retention.
  • Having a controlled visual field helps to reduce pattern glare, prevent word or line skipping and increase reading speed as well as fluency.

For more information about the benefits of reading strips offered by See-N-Read Reading Tools, feel free to call at (630) 236 – 5592 or visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL 60502.