Reading
Reading is the common factor in all subject areas. When a child is having difficulty with reading it can negatively affect all school subjects. From Kindergarten to grade three children are learning how to read, and beyond that they are using reading to learn. If a gap is created in the learning process, it can make reading in higher grades almost impossible. It is for that reason our programs address the specific reading challenges your child has which are uncovered in the Learning Bound Assessment. Our tutors at Learning Bound deliver reading programs based on Phonemic awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Comprehension, and Vocabulary.
Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate individual sounds in language. Research shows that phonemic awareness is related to developing reading and writing skills. Our tutoring programs for the youngest of readers help your child become aware of the sounds of language, which is the foundation of reading.
Phonics is the system of relationships between letters and sounds in language. Learning to read using phonics is important to help your child learn to read and spell. It will help your child decode words as he or she reads. This in turn helps your child develop sight words that will ultimately improve your childs reading speed and fluency.
Fluency in reading is when words are recognized automatically. As children develop more sight words, and their word recognition improves, reading becomes faster, smoother and more expressive. Fluent readers do not have to rely on using phonics for every word. Our goal is to improve fluency and end the word-by-word struggle. Once students read fluently they can focus on the ideas and message in a text, and thereby improve reading comprehension.
Reading Comprehension is understanding text that is read. It is the process of obtaining meaning from a written passage or story. Since reading comprehension involves all of the elements of the reading process, and impacts all subject areas this is a key goal in the Learning Bound Reading Program.
Vocabulary is an important part of learning to read. Beginner readers use the words they have heard to make sense of the words they see in print and will have a more difficult time reading words that are not part of their oral vocabulary. Vocabulary is also part of reading comprehension. As children learn to read more advanced texts, they must learn the meaning of new words that are not part of their oral vocabulary. At Learning Bound we feel that vocabulary development is key to reading comprehension. The more words your child has, the more he or she will understand the text. One reason that students have reading difficulties is because of gaps in their functional vocabulary for reading. Therefore vocabulary development and enrichment is a key component in our Reading Programs at Learning Bound.
In general, reading is the tool everyone uses, and solid reading skills are strongly linked to academic success. Make your child a strong reader, and you will see your child want to read more as they improve. The longer reading skill gaps are left, the greater the academic challenges.
