Home Schooling Authority

There are many children these days who do not read as well as they could. American children now rank near the bottom when it comes to math and science knowledge. The techniques that are being used to teach children to read nowadays are not very effecitive.

Standardized test scores for verbal ability are hitting historic lows. It is thought that as many as 11 million Americans can be classified as functionally illiterate. Learning how to read sets the stage for all other learning. Reading opens up all the other subjects to a student. Without the ability to read children cannot study the textbooks designed to teach them everything else. Children who do not have proper reading skills will never be able to reach their full potential. The ability to read is central to success in so many areas of life.

There are two main methods used in this country to teach children how to read. These two methods are phonics and whole word. Each of these methods has its own drawbacks and benefits. The phonics method is probably the best known method of teaching children to read. Children first memorize the alphabet and the sounds made by various letters. Students are then taught how to put the various sounds together to read whole words. One of the drawbacks of this method is that students will often get bored while memorizing their letters and sounds and simply give up. Sometimes they are so intent on sounding out the word that they do not get the meaning of the word.

With the whole word method children are taught to recognize entire words. Instead of sounding words out children learn to memorize whole words. This method was created as a way to teach deaf children to read and can be very effective for those with problems sounding out words. For more information on children’s educational software visit MileStone Reading.

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