Reading is one of the most important skills for children to learn. It’s correlated with academic success, self-esteem, concentration, vocabulary, memory, and critical thinking skills. It’s never too early to start exposing children to literacy. According to the experts, there are different types of reading problems. So, reading to infants can also improve their later academic success.
It’s also important to seek the right services for your child from a young age if you are concerned that he or she may be struggling with reading. Studies show that it is more difficult for children to catch up later if they start off with reading difficulties and don’t receive the proper interventions.
Speech Pathology
One service that can help is Speech Pathology or Therapy. This is specifically practiced in Kirrawee and Sutherland Shire. Speech and language impairments in children are linked to reading difficulties. So many Speech Therapists (also known as Speech-Language Pathologists) are trained to be able to assess and provide treatment for children with literacy disorders.
Phonological Awareness Skills
A critical early skill, children must develop for learning to read is phonological awareness. Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds within words. For example, understanding that if you say the word “ball” without the “b” sound, it makes the word “all”. If your child is already receiving Speech Therapy, it’s important to keep an eye on their phonological awareness skills. Children with speech sound disorders have been found to have more trouble with phonological awareness tasks.
As children grow, reading comprehension in the form of prompt therapy is essential for them to continue developing academic skills by reading everything from textbooks to word problems in math. Not to mention, children can get more enjoyment out of reading when they understand what they’ve read!
Speech Therapy can help children improve reading comprehension skills.
