Types of Reading Skills Every Child Should Develop

Technology has started to consume a major part of our leisure time. TV shows and social media apps have transformed traditional hobbies into digital hobbies like online games, online reading, etc. But nothing can beat the pleasure of picking up a physical book and reading it. That smell of a new book, the pictorial representations, and the feel of holding a book are irreplaceable. Especially for children, books are designed in an appealing and engaging manner to keep them hooked. Different colors, designs, textures, and pictures are used that persuade a child to start reading. 

What are Reading Skills?

Reading skills refer to the ability to read and understand written text. They are necessary for communication and learning. Reading builds fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and communication skills. Children should develop reading skills from early childhood to improve learning ability, enhance cognitive skills, and build effective communication skills. It empowers the child to interpret, gain knowledge, and create new ideas independently. 

Types of Reading Skills

• Decoding Skills
    This refers to breaking down words into individual sounds and letters. It means converting text into speech form. Children learn pronunciation and understand word-sound correspondences.

• Vocabulary Skills
  To understand what they are reading, children should know the meaning of most of the words. Children are exposed to new words through reading books, talking to friends, watching TV shows, and academics.

• Fluency in Reading
  Fluency is the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. To understand the meaning of a text, children should know where to take a pause, realise the tone, and take proper pauses.

• Comprehension Skills
  It refers to the ability to understand, interpret, and make meaning out of the text. These skills involve recognizing the essence, connecting the dots, and making use of prior knowledge. This is a challenging skill that requires daily practice.

• Critical Thinking and Analysis
  This skill encourages children to use their brains to analyze and evaluate the text. It helps in gaining a deeper understanding, making inferences, and questioning illogical things. 

• Summarization and Retention Skills
  It is the ability to conclude by summarizing the content. If children truly understand the meaning of a text, then their power to retain the information becomes effortless.

Tips to Improve Your Child’s Reading Skills

Here are some practical tips to encourage your child to improve their reading skills:

• Observe what problem the child is facing while reading a text. Work on that to make reading easy for the child.
• To improve their vocabulary, start using the new words learned in your everyday conversations.
• Make use of charts and pictures as visual representations to boost memory.
• Initially, choose the books of your child’s interest. Gradually expose them to different genres. This makes them confident to deal with every type of book.
• Choose age-appropriate books to foster interest and imagination.
• To develop critical thinking and analytical skills, ask questions and know their opinions.

The Role of Parents and Teachers in Developing Reading Skills

Parents and teachers should share the responsibility of nurturing reading skills among children. This can be done by:

• Setting aside a fixed amount of time to make reading a part of their daily routine. 
• Creating a reading environment at home and school by providing children with books of different types.
• Sitting and reading with children to enhance their interest and boost their curiosity to read.
• Teaching them new words along with their meanings, helping them expand their vocabulary.
• Parents and teachers should praise their children for continuing to read.
• Have conversations with children to know what they have read to improve their memory.
• Both parents and teachers should keep a tab on the progress of the child to ensure consistent development. 

Conclusion 

Reading is a therapeutic exercise. The benefits it offers cannot be underestimated. The conventional method of reading a book has to be encouraged, especially among children, to reap the rich dividends of reading. Schools and parents should promote a reading culture to improve the cognitive development of the child. Reading exposes children to diverse perspectives, helping them form their own opinions and shapes an individual personality. 

Check: The Gurukul System of Education in India 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the Most Important Reading Skills Every Child Should Learn?
   Decoding, fluency, comprehension, critical thinking, retention, and vocabulary are some of the key reading skills every child should learn.
   
   
2. How can Parents Help Improve Their Child’s Reading Comprehension Skills?
   Parents can improve their child’s reading skills by reading along with them, discussing key elements, posing questions, and asking their opinions. This promotes critical thinking and builds reading habits.
   
   
3. Why is Reading Fluency Crucial for Early Learners?
   Reading fluency helps children understand the accurate meaning of the text better. It promotes comprehensive abilities and motivates them to read more.
   
   
4. What Activities Can Make Reading Fun for Children?
   Word-building games, reading out loud, acting out a story, narrating a story, group reading, and word searching are some engaging activities that make reading fun and enjoyable.
   
   
5. At What Age Should Children Start Developing Critical Reading Skills?
   Children develop critical reading skills at the age of 7-8 as they start to understand and analyze basic texts.