“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Richard Steele” Reading is the stepping stone to everything else in life as it is the gateway through which endless knowledge and information is absorbed. Inculcating a strong reading habit right from childhood is crucial to making it a life-long habit. Children who are avid readers have a broader horizon of the world around them and are more likely to be successful individuals as adults. The foundation of…

Good reading skills encompass other aspects of life and also impact the ability to communicate effectively via spoken or written language. Reading skills refer to one’s ability to read written language, comprehend, interpret and decode the same. They also include decoding, vocabulary, inference, retention and fluency. Following are some tips to improve reading skills: Set Goals: Start with setting reading goals i.e. learning new words, reading about a specific topic, time goals, page goals and more. Setting achievable goals for…

“A book is a garden, an orchard, a storehouse, a party, a company by the way, a counselor, a multitude of counselors.” – Charles Baudelaire The benefits of reading not only reflect on the intellectual faculties of a child but also in other areas like work and life. Reading expands the mind’s horizons and prepares a kid for living a wholesome and knowledgeable life.  Listed below are different ways in which reading helps in brain development of kids: Mental Imagery:…

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…

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…

“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:…

“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…

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…

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…

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:…