Major Stages in Reading Skills Development

Silak, Jay Mari K. Discussant/Researcher Reading Readiness This is the point at which a person is ready to learn to read and the time during which a person transitions from being a man-reader-into a reader-other for reading readiness include early literacy and emergent reading. Children start to learn pre-reading skills at birth while they listen to the speech around them. In order to learn to read, child must first have knowledge of the oral languages. According to the Ontario Government (2003), the acquisition of language is natural but the process of learning to read is not. Reading must be taught. This belief opposes basic language philosophy, which affirms that children learn to read while they learn to speak. The Ontario government also believes that reading is the foundation for success, and that those children who struggle with reading in grades 1-3 are at a disadvantage in terms of academic success compared to those who are not struggling. Reading readiness is highly individualistic. There is no one size fits all solution to teaching a child to read. A parent or educator may need to employ several techniques before finding the most appropriate method for an individual child. According to Vygotskys Zone of Proximal Development, a child can, through the help of an adult or more capable child, perform at a higher level than he or she can do independently the process of learning. To read, thus should be supported by caring and supportive individual. Skills that indicated whether a child is ready to learn to read include: Skills-appropriate oral language development and vocabulary. Appreciation of stories and books Phonemic awareness (ability to distinguish and manipulate individuals sounds of language) Understanding of basic print concepts. Understanding of the alphabetic principles Ability to distinguish shapes Ability to identify at least some letters of the alphabet