Reading is a challenge for many young children. There are a
number of common errors that are made when learning to read, but there are ways
to correct them before they become ingrained in your child’s reading. Here are
some of the more common reading mistakes, and how you can fix them as soon as
they appear.
Tracking Errors
Tracking errors are when a child mixes up sounds within a
word. It indicates that they are not tracking left to right, which is the
proper way to read. They might sound out a letter near the end of the word
before one nearer to the beginning. To help your child in this situation, sound
out the word from left to right, and move your finger in the proper direction
to help them remember this.
Word Guessing
Often when a child learns to read, they may guess a word
without viewing it in its entirety. If a child makes the correct sound of the
first letter, but the rest of the word is wrong, they may be doing this. Watch
your child’s eyes closely, as children who are word guessing often look away
from the page and list a string of possible words while watching you to see how
you react. Again, sound out the word for your child while pointing at the
letters and letter combinations.
Trouble with Vowel Combinations
Children may struggle combining vowels. You will realize
this if their vowel combinations sound choppy or do not flow properly. If your
child is having difficulty putting two vowels together, practice sounding out
the vowel combinations, or make up a catchy rhyme or poem to help them remember
what the combination sounds like.
Lack of Attention to Detail
When a child is in a hurry to read, or has trouble
concentrating, they may lack attention to detail. If your child misses parts of
a word they are attempting to read, or skips words, this may be the issue. They
may have trouble blending consonant clusters. Encourage your child to slow down
and take their time in order to conquer this problem.
Confusing the Letters
It is a common issue for children to confuse letters when
they are beginning to read. Letters such as b, d, and even p which are similar
in shape can cause confusion among early readers. If your child is obviously
mixing up their letters, have them print each letter numerous times in regular
block style print.
Text Memorization
Sometimes children learn tricks that make them appear to be
reading better than they actually are. This can be deceiving to those who are
instructing them, as the child appears not to have any struggles. If you notice
your child reciting a portion of reading to you and they are not even looking
at the book, they have likely memorized it. The way to combat this is to have
your child read new books often, and to avoid books with pictures that give
away what is written once they have read it through.
There are many common mistakes a child may make while
learning to read. If you catch them early, you can correct them so that they
will not become a long-term stumbling block to your child. Your young reader
will benefit from your attention as you keep your eyes out for these common
reading mistakes and assist your child in conquering them.
No comments:
Post a Comment