Reading is a very useful and important tool in the perception of information. Skills and the basics of reading are laid down for children in the first grade (and in some cases much earlier). Therefore, already in the first grade, parents should pay attention to the successes in the school of their kids and help them in cases of lag. During this period, children only learn the technique of reading and learn to understand the meaning of the text read by syllables. And already in the second grade, reading gradually becomes for them an indispensable tool that helps to master other subjects. The ability to quickly and carefully perceive the text, can affect the further progress in learning.
To determine the progress and how well a child in the first grade or primary school perceives the text, it is enough to check the reading speed and compare the result with the established standards for the 1st class.
Reading speed standards in the 1st class
- second quarter - less than 10 words - 2 points, 10-15 words - 3 points, 16-20 words - 4 points, more than 20 words - 5 points;
- the third quarter - less than 20 words - 2 points, 20-25 words - 3 points, 26-35 words - 4 points, more than 35 words - 5 points;
- the fourth quarter - less than 25 words - 2 points, 25-30 words - 3 points, 31-40 words - 4 points, more than 40 words - 5 points.
As a rule, at the end of the 1st grade, the average reading speed reaches 60 words per minute. It should also be understood that at a rate of reading aloud 40 words per minute, only the actual side of the text is perceived and it takes some time to combine words into a single semantic chain. Meaningful understanding arises when a child begins to read at a speed of 60 words per minute, then he can perceive words entirely. And when reading from 90 words per minute, there is a deeper understanding of the text.
How to increase the speed of reading?
There are many different techniques and exercises for increasing the speed of reading. These exercises not only increase fluency, but also improve the technique of reading.
Examples of exercises:
- Reading on time.
- Read fragments of texts at different tempos (slowly, at an average pace, and as quickly as possible).
- Read with sound interference (in the role of interference is usually a metronome knock).
- Reading text through a grate or "saw" (they can be made from paper or draw it on a transparent cover).
All these exercises contribute to the development of reading speed. And if you regularly perform them with your child, the results will not be long in coming.