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Improve Reading Comprehension, Improve Reading Skill, Improve Spelling, Reading Tools

How To Encourage Kids For Reading?

“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 being a reader is to set reading goals and be consistent with them.

Here are some tips for sticking to a consistent reading habit as kids:

  • Form a Routine: Even if it is a 15 to 20 minute routine, it will work wonders in the long run. What we practice persists, so stick to a routine as this will help your child form a disciplined approach towards reading. All you need are a few minutes of uninterrupted time with your child everyday to read his/her favorite book and before you know, it will become an automatic process for your child.
  • Create a Reading Nook: Create a space in your house that is dedicated to reading. Ensure that there is proper lighting, comfortable seating, ventilation and a collection of your child’s favorite books. Encourage your child to spend some time in this corner every day even if it means sitting with him/her to read a book.
  • Choose Books of Interest: Explore different genres of books for your child as this will help in discovering what his interests are. Create a collection of fiction, joke books, how-to books, biographies, graphic novels and more as per the age/ reading level of your child. If you do not want to buy books at this stage, consider visiting your nearest library with your child once every week at the least.
  • Keep Devices Away: As much as we love our IPads, tablets, video games, phones and other modern devices, we need to keep them away during ‘Reading Time’. In fact, in a household with young kids, everyone including the adults should form a practice of switching off devices for a few minutes every day and read a book together.
  • Use Reading Tools: Last but not the least, if your child is a slow reader/learner, consider investing in reading tools that are designed to improve the quality and speed of reading and learning. The tools help in improving concentration, memory, vocabulary and spellings. They can be used to highlight text, prevent line and word skipping and reduce pattern glare.

See-N-Read provide learning tools for improving reading in kids, you can visit www.see-n-read.com or call at 1-630-236-5592 for more information.

Improve Reading Comprehension, Improve Reading Skill, Improve Spelling

Tips To Improve Reading Skills

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 reading provides a reader with an aim to strive to accomplish. Goals provide a direction for one’s efforts while lending a sense of achievement on their completion.
  • Create An Ideal Environment: Create a comfortable and distraction-free environment for reading. Ensure that the place is well-lit and well-ventilated. Also invest in a comfortable chair or couch that provides support to the back and facilitates longer reading spells.
  • Allocate Time For Reading: To form a consistent habit of reading, it is essential to set aside a specific time of the day for reading. Choose a time of the day when your mind is fresh and active. On the contrary, you can also set aside time before retiring to bed at night.
  • Read In Portions: Avoid long reading sessions by breaking up the sessions into digestible portions. When we read for shorter duration intervals, it is easier to assimilate and retain information. The process of reading in portions also minimizes eye fatigue.
  • Preview & Scan: To get a gist of the content you are planning to read, preview and scan it prior to reading the entire portion. This can be done by previewing the title, headlines, captions and so on. The process provides a general idea about the topic to be read which facilitates a better reading experience in terms of speed and understanding.
  • Increase Comprehension: You can improve the comprehension of what you read by making connections of what you read with real-life experiences. Write down these connections on the page you are reading for quick reference when going through the content later.
  • Take Notes: The process of taking notes while reading provides a deeper understanding of the material being read. It helps in making connections and forming inferences from the reading. Note-taking also helps in organizing ideas from text, staying focused, thinking critically, drawing conclusions, etc.
  • Summarize: You can improve your reading skills by summarizing what you have read. The process of summarizing helps in processing the information in your own words. It is also beneficial for comprehending and retaining information.

See-N-Read Reading Tools offers offline and online reading tools that help in developing reading skills. The tools help in improving memory, focus, comprehension and vocabulary. For more details on tips to improve reading skills, visit 2533 Sutton Lane, Aurora, IL – 60502, or call at (630) 236 – 5592. 

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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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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.

Improve Reading Comprehension

Ways To Improve Reading Skills Of A Child With Dyslexia

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Dyslexia refers to a reading difficulty, which does not spring from neurological, sensory or intellectual problems in the child. The child develops an impaired phonological representation for words. There are many ways in which parents and teachers of such children can help them regain their confidence and improve their reading and comprehension skills. Let’s take a look:

  • Read Aloud- Reading out loud to a dyslexic child can have a profound effect on his decoding and comprehension capabilities. It can motivate the child to delve deeper into bigger books in contrast with the smaller ones he struggles to read. This will inevitably boost his confidence.
  • Support- When parents and teachers join hands to help a child, deep down the child develops the zeal to fight on. It is important to highlight positives in the child and at the same time be very open about where he stands academically and what sort of help he will need. This creates a team spirit and in turn motivates the child, as he does not feel alone at all.
  • Slow Reading- Dyslexics should not be pressurized to read as fast as other kids. More important than the speed is the accuracy with which they read. Teach him strategies like memorizing what he has read and focus on his talents too. This way he will be able to navigate the world better as an adult.
  • Baby Steps- It is very important to go at a pace that feels comfortable for your child. Small tiny steps in the right direction go a long way. There is a plethora of simple activities that can boost your child’s language and reading skills. You can sit with your child as he reads out aloud and help with difficult words. Bedtime reading is a good way to incorporate this.
  • Acceptance- Dyslexia is not a learning disorder that a child will outgrow. Reassure your child that it is in no way going to affect your child success and reading abilities later in life. Teach him how to go about dyslexia by first accepting the issue, and then not hesitating to ask for help as and when needed.

Expose your child to various resources such as reading tools that can help to boost his confidence at learning and being successful.

Improve Reading Comprehension

4 Common Mistakes Homeschoolers Make When Teaching Reading (and how to avoid them)

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Homeschoolers are often proficient readers, simply because of the one on one attention and wealth of resources. There are a few common errors made by homeschool parents when it comes to reading; these are easily corrected in most cases. High expectations, or pushing for too much, too soon can make a child that is progressing beautifully feel like they are not “getting it” quickly enough, despite their promising progress.

Trying to adhere to a strict school schedule can also cause your child to avoid reading; it could also hinder their progress. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can teach your child on the schedule and system that works best for them and foster a love of reading that will last a lifetime.

Too Much, Too Soon

For many parents, homeschooling is a way to feed the needs of a child who loves to learn, and by teaching reading early, they feel they can give their child a good head start. While early reading does happen naturally for some kids, pushing for too much, too soon can backfire.

One of the best things about homeschooling is the ability to work at a pace that is right for your child and to incorporate play, critical thinking and other early learning elements into your day. A child that is struggling may have an actual issue – or may simply not be ready to read just yet.

Homeschool styles vary, but focusing on content in which your child is interested and fostering a love of reading by using picture books, stories and reading aloud together can help him learn habits that will serve him well in the future.

Following a School Schedule – Outside of School

Some kids need a fixed routine, but trying to mimic a school schedule at home may not work when it comes to reading. A typical lesson may take up to an hour in school, since there are 20 or more kids in the average classroom. Stretch your reading lessons out for that long and you could have a mutiny on your hands.

Instead of planning your day around what a class full of children does, plan around your own schedule and preferences. If everyone is up early, placing reading at the start of the day and taking the time needed to complete the lesson you’ve chosen is enough.

Some kids will finish a single lesson in a few minutes, while others may need a little longer, but cramming too much into each day could backfire and even impact how much your child enjoys reading. Choosing a curriculum and pacing it to match your child’s needs, makes it easy for her to learn to read – and to love reading, too.

Missing the Signs of a Reading Problem

Some kids just read a little later than others – but some do struggle with attention disorders, eye control, dyslexia and other conditions that can make it more difficult to become a fluent reader and later, a proficient writer. A teacher who has been in the elementary classroom for a few years sees hundreds of kids and can usually spot the signs of trouble early.

If you are homeschooling and teaching your child for the first time, it is easy to think that slow progress is your fault, or the way reading works for homeschooled kids. While you don’t want to push or rush, you should be aware of stalled progress and take steps to research potential issues.

Using the Same System for Each Child

The system or curriculum that worked for your oldest may be perfect for the next in line, or they could struggle with it. Each child learns differently, even in the same family; by exploring different methods and using supportive technology or devices as needed, you can ensure each kid gets the same love of reading, even if they get there in a slightly different way.

Learning more about some of the common roadblocks experienced by homeschoolers when it comes to reading can help you create a program that resonates with your child – and you may need different supports and approaches for each child in your family. One of the great joys of teaching is watching your child master reading, and knowing you’ve given them a skill that will last a lifetime.