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Reading: A Tool For Intellectual Development

The development of memory, language and thinking skills are the pillars of intellectual development. Intellectual development consists of moral development, language development, problem solving skills, abstract thinking, etc. One of the best tools for fostering intellectual development early in life is reading. It strengthens the brain, boosts vocabulary, increases confidence and offers many more benefits.

Following are ways with which reading boosts intellectual development:

  • Metacognitive Knowledge: This refers to the ability of being able to think about one’s own thinking process. Reading develops this skill and enables a reader to tune into his feelings and thoughts about a situation. The reader learns to think about and feel what the characters in a book are going through which translates into adopting the same skill in real life when making decisions.
  • Problem Solving Skills: Reading books provides a broader perspective on solving problems in real life. The reader gains a new vision on problem-solving based on the characters in books. Reading provides a new way of looking at things and understanding real life situations.
  • More Experiences: Reading exposes the reader to so many new experiences and characters than one would normally come across in real life. This helps the reader develop critical intellectual skills required for thriving in the society and being successful.
  • Memory: Books have different characters, plots, backgrounds, lessons, quotes and more. A reader naturally retains information as the brain creates new synopsis in order to memorize new information. The process not only boosts memory, but also calms down the nervous system.
  • Builds Vocabulary: One of the best ways of learning new words is by reading. Those who read have a huge arsenal of new words that can help them articulate their thoughts and feelings effectively. They are also better at writing and speaking as they have more words to express themselves.
  • Prevents Cognitive Decline: Avid readers enjoy high levels of mental stimulation which boosts brain power and slows down cognitive decline. The brain, like any other muscle in the body requires constant stimulation to function optimally. Reading is a great tool for providing cognitive stimulation throughout life.
  • Academic Success: The benefits of reading impact academic performance as well. As the reader develops vocabulary, gets better at writing and speaking, develops the ability to focus and memorize, etc. he has higher chances of performing better academically.
  • Focus & Concentration: The process of reading requires a reader’s entire focus and attention. This improves the ability to sit for a stretch of time without any other distractions. As the concentration improves, the effects of this will also be visible in other areas of life.

See-N-Read Reading Tools offers a complete range of offline and online reading tools that assist in developing reading skills of users. The tools are research based and help in improving memory and focus. For more details on how reading assists intellectual development, call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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How To Recognize Reading Problems In Kids?

A critical time to recognize reading problems in kids is during pre-school and kindergarten years. Some major characteristics of reading problems are issues with manipulating sounds of words and struggling with words with similar sounds, rhyming words, word games and more.

If you are looking for signs as to whether your child has reading difficulties, following are some red flags to watch out for:

  • Reading Level: The first indicator of a reading problem is if your child is experiencing difficulty with reading material for his grade level. Compare your child’s reading speed and comprehension with that of his peers and see whether he lags behind.
  • Word Sounds: If your child is experiencing problems with pronouncing words that are normal for kids of his age, it could be a sign of a reading problem. The signs of this are frustration while communicating, difficulty linking more than one sound, using only vowel sounds and unclear speech for his age.
  • Word Recognition: Check whether your child fails to recognize common words for his age or confuses words that look similar. This makes it difficult for kids to process reading material and may require them to repeat the process of reading a number of times in order to make sense of the words.
  • Reading Fluency: Ask your child to read an excerpt from a favorite book aloud and watch how many pauses he takes between words and whether there is an expression in his tone while reading. Too many pauses and lack of tonal expression while reading is an indicator of a reading problem.
  • Level Of Comprehension: Does your child understand what is being read? Try to judge your child’s level of comprehension by observing whether he has trouble understanding, summarizing and recalling what has been read. A good reader should also be able to connect what is being read to previously learnt concepts.
  • Reading Anxiety: Kids generally love reading and if your child exhibits increased anxiety levels at the mention of a book to read, it is a sign to take note of. Children with reading problems try to evade the practice of reading and will usually offer excuses to defer the experience. Observe whether your child has difficulty with focusing while reading.
  • Spelling & Writing: If your child has problems with spelling many words and also struggles with writing sentences, it could be a sign of a reading problem. If you suspect a problem, observe whether your child completes written and reading assignments on time and note the amount of time spent on the same.

Timely recognition of reading problems can lead to timely resolution. See-n-Read Reading Tools offers a variety of tools to improve reading skills among kids. For more details on how to recognize reading problems in kids, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Importance of Reading in Life

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free”- Frederick Douglass.

Reading is a habit that expands the mind’s horizons and gives the reader a broader and deeper perspective of life. It is a great exercise for the brain and a productive habit that enhances knowledge, increases confidence, boosts concentration and makes the reader wiser. A well-read person is a treasure-house of knowledge required for personal development.

Listed below are some benefits that reading has to offer:

  • Better Vocabulary: Reading is one of the best ways to learn new words for people of all age groups. There are books of different reading levels with vocabulary deemed fit for the age group of the reader. A reader not only learns new words while reading but also gets a better understanding of how to use the words in a sentence.
  • Mental Stimulation: Reading helps to build new brain connections and strengthen existing ones. The brain perceives it as a complex task for which it has to fire more neurons in order to understand and assimilate new information. Those who read exhibit a lower rate of mental decline related to memory and other mental facilities.
  • Stress Reduction: For many, reading is a relaxing activity that they can indulge in at any time of the day. Some even prefer reading before going to bed as it induces sleep by calming the nervous system. It has a soothing effect on the brain as it does not over stimulate it.
  • Knowledge: Reading is one of the best ways of gaining knowledge on any subject and getting to know the world around us better. There are millions of books that a reader can choose from related to his genre of interest. Books are one of the most authentic sources of research-based knowledge on any topic.
  • Improved Concentration: The process of reading requires the reader to sit still and focus on what is being read. Over time, it improves concentration levels and extends the reader’s focus as it is impossible to multi-task while reading. In fact, the process of reading is akin to meditation as one has to sit still and do nothing but read and breathe.
  • Better Academic Performance: Students who read more are likely to perform better at academics as they develop better verbal and writing abilities. Students who read books on current affairs have more general knowledge and cultural awareness which also boosts academic performance. However, for this, it is important to expose students to books that are relevant and interesting
  • Better Memory: Books comprise of different characters, plots, sub-plots, lessons, historical events, backgrounds, etc. In order to understand a book, the reader has to memorize the book as he reads and weaves through it. This forges new brain pathways that improve short-term memory recall and improves brain power.

See-n-Read Reading Tools offers a variety of tools to improve reading skills among kids. For more details on importance of reading in life, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Why Kids Should Read?

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King. Books are a treasure trove for kids that offer unique perspectives on everything in life while broadening their horizons. Introducing kids to the habit of reading as early as possible has been scientifically proven to benefit a child’s mind and brain in profound ways.

Following are some ways in which reading can be beneficial for children:

  • Better Communication Skills: Reading polishes communication skills as it introduces kids to new words and new ways of expressing themselves when interacting with others. It opens gateways for uninhibited communication and makes kids confident listeners and speakers.
  • Better Comprehension: Reading helps kids gain a better understanding of the world around them. They are able to comprehend things better and form a deeper understanding of what they see and learn. Kids, who read, are likely to respond rationally when posed with unique situations and commit fewer errors.
  • Better Writing Skills: In addition to improving speech and comprehension, reading also impacts writing skills and refines them. Children are able to find better words for expressing their opinions on paper and get better at forming correct sentence structures. Reading also improves their paragraphs flow and spellings with time.
  • More Knowledge: Knowledge is power and reading is one of the best sources of granting children the power of knowledge. Reading exposes kids to different ideologies, life experiences, historical events and more knowledge that empowers them while making kids understand the world better.
  • Emotional Benefits: Kids, who read, are generally more empathetic towards the feelings of others as books give them an insight into the world, different cultures, backgrounds and countries. Children get to know about the problems of people from different corners of the world which makes them compassionate and sensitive individuals.
  • Brain Workout: Reading offers a great workout for the brain as it strengthens brain connections and helps in building new ones. Every time a child learns a new word, comes across a new scenario/situation, meets new characters in a book, etc., new neural connections are built in the brain. This keeps the brain sharp and offers other benefits like better memory, concentration power, and creativity.
  • Develops Imaginative Skills: Books unlock a child’s imagination by taking him to new places and scenarios in an instant. Creativity is sparked and kids feel inspired to dream and imagine beyond the realms they know. Reading helps them expand their minds’ horizons, seek adventure and be open to learning and exploring.
  • A Calming Effect: Children who read experience a sense of calm and are less irritable and anxious. Reading relaxes the brain and helps in producing chemicals that calm down the brain similar to those that trigger sleep.

See-n-Read Reading Tools offers tools to improve reading skills among kids. For more details on why kids should read, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Why Is It Important To Learn Spellings?

Sharpening spelling skills at an early age sets the foundation for success in many areas of life. An individual with mastery over spellings is more likely to have a successful career and excel at other frontiers of life.  

Listed below are some benefits of learning spellings:

  • Improves Communication Skills: Good spelling skills improve communication skills in most forms of communication like emailing, letter-writing, social media, etc. Correct spellings add more gravity to the message you are putting across and people are more likely to take your message seriously.
  • It Helps With Reading: Spelling and reading are inter-related too; if you can spell well, you can read easily and seamlessly. A strong hold on spellings improves reading speed and boosts vocabulary.
  • Help Develop Literacy: Confident spellers are on a better footing as far as other aspects of learning are concerned. They are not only able to read and comprehend texts better but are well-equipped with language tools to help them express their ideas better.
  • Impact Employment Opportunities: A resume without spelling errors has far higher chances of getting you a job than one with sporadic spelling errors. It is easier to skim through and has higher chances of being accepted.
  • Helps In Academics: Accurate spellings improve a child’s performance during schooling years and beyond. Such kids have better chances of getting higher marks in assessments as their work not only looks impressive to the examiner but also casts the impression of a serious and hardworking student.
  • Language Proficiency: Correct spellings are the foundation of any language. If your spellings are strong, your mastery on the language is guaranteed. So, if you are trying to be proficient at any language, start with mastering the spellings.
  • Improves Writing: Writing is a skill that is required at school, at the work place, for formal communication and more. The first step towards improving writing skills is to work on spellings. A strong grasp on spellings will help you write confidently, faster and impressively.
  • Boosts Concentration: Mastering spellings helps in improving concentration levels as there are fewer distractions due to misspelled words. By spending less time on checking spellings and making corrections, one is able to focus on the task at hand and produce better results.
  • Casts A Good Impression: When looking for jobs or even during work interactions at work, those with strong spelling skills cast a positive impression. A person with a strong hold over spellings is perceived as a well-educated person with strong command over the language.

See-n-Read Reading Tools offers tools to help readers improve their spellings. For more details on importance of learning spellings, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Ways To Improve Vocabulary Among Students

Vocabulary means range of words or language of a person. In simpler words, vocabulary means the set of words of a language that are known to a person. It plays an important role in defining the writing and communication skills of students. So, it is highly imperative for students to try and improve their vocabulary.

Here are some tips to help students improve their vocabulary:

  • Read: Developing a habit to read can help students in significantly improving their vocabulary because building vocabulary is easier when one comes across words in context. Seeing words being used in a text, novel, newspaper, etc. can be highly helpful in remembering the word & its apt use as compared to reading words in a vocabulary list.
  • Dictionary & Thesaurus: Dictionaries & Thesaurus are very helpful tools for students trying to build their vocabulary. They help students in learning new words and their meaning. Also, they help in jogging the memory of students about synonyms which can be more suitable words in the context of what is being written. Reading full dictionary definition of a word can help students in learning about antonyms, root words, and related words as well.
  • Word Games: Playing word games is a fun and effective way to improve vocabulary among students. Students can play classic games such as Scrabble, Boggle and Crosswords for improving English vocabulary. In order to increase the efficiency of learning process, students can follow up the games with a note-taking session. They may note down newly learnt words and then look up these words in dictionary & thesaurus to learn apt usage, synonyms, antonyms, etc.
  • Flashcards: Using flashcards is yet another effective and convenient way of improving vocabulary. Students can aim for one new word every day. This helps in increasing the vocabulary gradually and effectively.
  • Reading Tools: Some online reading tools are designed to help students in learning new words, their use, spellings, and related words. These tools offer a convenient way to learn and improve vocabulary.

See-n-Read Reading Tools offers tools for students to help them improve their vocabulary. The tools are research-based and aim at improving different skills required for effective reading. For more details on ways to improve vocabulary among students, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Components Of Effective Reading

For reading to be effective, it is important for it to be a motivating experience. So, in order to ensure effective reading among students, it is important for teachers to use instructional materials with decodable texts and rich literature. They should use reading assessment tools, practice timely intervention with struggling readers and create an enthusiasm and appreciation for books among students at an early age.

Let us take a look at each of the components of effective reading in detail:

  • Phonemic Awareness: The smallest unit of a sound is called a phoneme; phonemic awareness refers to the knowledge of how combinations of sounds make up words. It is the ability to differentiate each sound and blend the sounds into a word. Exposure to print is one of the most effective ways of increasing phonemic awareness. Phonemic awareness improves printed word recognition and helps children to identify and manipulate sounds while speaking.
  • Fluent Reading: To be a fluent reader, one should be able to read, write and speak smoothly and accurately. Higher word recognition skills are needed for a child to be a fluent speaker. The child progresses from decoding individual words to sight-reading. The best way to increase fluency is to practice reading in the form of oral reading for beginners, listening to fluent readers, and so on.
  • Vocabulary: As children read, interact with others or are read to by someone, they begin discovering, understanding and using new words in their daily lives. The knowledge of new words is essential to their reading comprehension and writing abilities. To improve vocabulary, children should be helped with processing word meanings and understanding their usage. This can be done by encouraging them to learn high frequency words by reading both fiction and non-fiction.
  • Text Comprehension: The whole purpose of reading is to be able to understand/comprehend what is being read. The level of reading comprehension depends on a child’s vocabulary and quality of instruction that the child receives. Comprehension can be improved through activities such as answering questions about what has been read, making mental images, learning to recognize clues in the text, using graphic organizers, drawing on previous knowledge or retelling a story.
  • Written Expression: Writing and reading are like two sides of the same coin; the components of each offer strength and support to one another to create an effective literacy program. Writing improves phonemic awareness, reinforces phonics instruction, helps in understanding different text styles and also improves comprehension skills.

See-n-Read Reading Tools help in developing effective reading skills. The tools aim at improving varied reading components including vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, etc. For more details on components of effective reading, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Importance Of Reading In Life

Reading is a workout for the mind; it keeps the mind fresh, sharp and calm. It impacts every area of an individual’s life right from school to one’s career and beyond. Reading teaches, inspires, nudges and helps us in becoming the best version of ourselves. It is never too early or too late to start reading and reap its benefits.

Following are some of the ways with which reading enriches the lives of readers:

  • Improves Communication Skills: Good communication skills rely on the choice of words. Reading not only broadens one’s choice of words, but also refines the way a person communicates with others orally or by written mode. It inspires to learn from the way different writers portray their messages, the theme they use, their expressions and choice/use of words.
  • Builds Self Image: Ardent readers have a higher self image owing to their high confidence levels. They carry themselves confidently in any type of gathering and are at ease with expressing their ideas and thoughts eloquently.
  • Academic Benefits: Those who read get smarter with time and perform better at academics. Reading boosts knowledge and intellectual capabilities of students by exposing them to various sources of written information from all over the world.
  • Boosts Vocabulary: Reading is one of the best ways to boost one’s vocabulary as it exposes the reader to innumerable new words through every book. It is believed that if one reads a book daily, it will amount to approximately 4 million words in a year.
  • Improves Comprehension: School going kids who read extensively experience immense improvement in their overall comprehension abilities. As a result, they have a better understanding of what they read at school.
  • Mental Well-Being: Reading enriches internal dialogue and the interpretation of what goes on around an individual. The ability to look at events and happenings from a broader perspective makes a person more empathetic, calm and adjusting.
  • Boosts Imagination And Creativity: Visual imagination is an intrinsic part of reading. The more one reads, the better his imaginative and creative skills get as reading stimulates the mind to create images.
  • Aids In Sleep: For many people, reading is the perfect remedy for a sound night’s sleep. It calms the senses by encouraging the reader to sit at one place and concentrate on reading only. Around 6 minutes of reading are enough to reduce stress levels and calm down the mind and body.

See-n-Read Reading Tools help in improving reading skills. Reading has immense benefits including better vocabulary, improved imagination skills, higher comprehension skills, etc. For more details on importance of reading in life, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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How To Polish Reading Comprehension Skills

Building reading comprehension skills helps a reader in understanding the material being read to the best of his/her abilities. Better comprehension skills improve the experience of reading by making it enjoyable and easier. Examples of comprehension skills include summarizing, comparison, contrasting, problem-solving, self questioning, etc.

Let us take a look at some ways to polish reading comprehension skills:

 

  • Vocabulary Enrichment: Level up your reading comprehension skills by improving and adding to your vocabulary. Understanding what you read makes it is easier to make sense of the content and assimilate it. To improve vocabulary, you can take online vocabulary classes, quiz yourself with the help of flashcards, apply newly used words in your verbal and written communication, use a dictionary, create word associations to recall difficult words and diversify your reading material.
  • Identify The Main Idea: To get a better grasp of the content you are reading, try to identify the main idea behind it. Take small pauses as you read, to think about what the author wants to convey to the reader at different junctures in the text. This will improve your level of understanding and also keep you motivated/interested to know more.
  • Context Clues: Even if you do not understand some of the words used in the text, you can still make out what the author is conveying by paying attention to the words and sentences used around the unfamiliar words. Context clues help a reader understand the main idea of the content by focusing on phrases and ideas used in a sentence or paragraph.
  • Ask Questions: Increase your involvement in what you read by asking questions to explore different angles of looking at the same thing. Question yourself about the themes used in the book, its characters, components and motifs to get a deeper insight into what the author wants to convey.
  • Summarize: A great way of memorizing what you have read is to summarize the entire content in a few words of your own. The process of summarizing prompts you to dig deeper and remember what you have read and understood. Also consider breaking down the content into sizeable chunks that can be easily read without getting stressed. For example, aim for a minimum of two paragraphs in one reading shift; after reading, pause for some time, reflect on what you read and summarize it in your own words. The results will be phenomenal!

See-n-Read Reading Tools provides a complete range of online products and tools to develop reading comprehension skills in kids. The tools have been developed based on tested technology. For more details on how to polish reading comprehension in kids, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592.

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Tips To Improve Learning Problems In Kids

Early discovery of learning disabilities in kids can help in developing optimal strategies to improve them. Children with learning disabilities require social and emotional support to work through the challenges. Such positive reinforcement can help ensure that they emerge with a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, and determination to improve their learning problem.

Tips To Help Kids With Learning Problems:
• Take Charge Of The Kid’s Education: Parent’s role in the child’s education is very important. They should take an active charge and make note of tasks they can do to help the child in the learning process. It is important for them to be good observers and keep focus on their child’s learning patterns.

• Identify How The Kid Learns Best: Every kid, even the one without a learning disability, has a unique style of learning. A child can be a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a kinesthetic learner. Figure out how he learns the best and take steps to ensure that his style of learning is reinforced during the study.

• Think About The Kid’s Success In Life: For kids with learning problems, self-awareness and self-confidence are very important. Ask the child to list his strengths and weaknesses to identify potential problems. For people with learning disabilities, being proactive also involves self-advocacy and the willingness to take responsibility for choices. Children with learning problems may need to work harder and longer because of their disability. So, talk with the child about problem solving and how to approach problems in life. Perseverance keeps a child focused despite challenges and failures.

• Emphasize Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Learning involves the body as well as the brain; so, the child’s eating, sleeping, and exercising habits maybe even more important than you think. If kids with learning disabilities are eating right and getting enough sleep and exercise, they will be better able to focus, concentrate, and work hard. In addition to healthy physical habits, kids also need encouragement to have healthy emotional habits. It is important because they might be frustrated due to the challenges presented by their learning disability.

See-n-Read Reading Tools provide various online products and tools to help improve learning problems in kids. Easy to improve intervention methods are provided to help kids enhance their learning skills.