Two Teaching Techniques Used To Teach Children How To Read

Many children today to do not know how to read as well as they should. Children from the United States are now near the bottom in international tests of knowledge in math and science. Many of the methods used to teach children to read these days are simply not effective.

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. A student who can read has access to a host of other subjects. 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. Reading is in important element of success in so many parts of life.

There are two main methods used in this country to teach children how to read. These are the phonics method and the whole word method. Each of these methods has its own drawbacks and benefits. The most well known method for teaching reading is phonics. With the phonics method children learn the sounds associated with each letter of the alphabet. Students are then instructed on how to put the sounds together to make words. One of the drawbacks of this method is that students will give up when they get bored memorizing their letters. Sometimes they are so intent on sounding out the word that they do not get the meaning of the word.

Using the whole word method children learn to memorize and recognize whole words while reading. Instead of sounding words out children learn to recognize whole words while reading. This method was created as a way to teach deaf children to read and is still effective when children do not have the ability to sound words out. For more information on educational software that teaches kids to read visit MileStone Reading.