I honestly think educators have a lot to put up with in terms of teaching our children how to read from scratch and we’re often not thankful enough to them.
Reading has the potential to assist in the development and quality of a range of cognitive abilities, provided that it is practised in the correct manner and sustained at an appropriate level during the course of an individual’s life.
That is why literacy at a young age is highly important in an individual’s upbringing.
But even so, it is the duty of the readers to reinforce their reading skills to have a broader aspect of what they are reading.
I feel that reading is like any other aspect of upbringing, where individuals need to practise how to read in order to become an analytical reader with the strategies in hand.
Cognitive abilities have to do with the mechanisms of how we learn, problem solving and paying attention, rather than with any actual knowledge.
The enhancement of reading becomes the fundamental quality at a young age, hence I think all parents need to be fully involved in their children’s literacy rather than depending on educators.
Reading helps a child’s brain to evolve at a young age, because if a child is able to read at a young age then their vocabulary will easily develop.
As vital as reading literature is for each child, not every child gets the opportunity to succeed in reading decent literature.
According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), there is inadequate development of literacy among South African learners compared to other international learners.
The majority of learners with poor literacy skills usually come from schools that have insufficient resources to help learners further excel in reading and comprehension.
Even though there is a low record of reading comprehension in South Africa, there are certain strategies and study aims that can be put in place to help the learner’s reading skills to develop.
Some researchers found that the introduction of early home literacy helps to develop a potential reader.
They also found that children’s literature should have easier vocabulary and grammar and should focus less on higher-order reading.
However, to be able to read independently and effectively, individuals must set goals for themselves so that they don’t end up frustrated.
Active reading is one of the strategies also used. It consists of using goals and facilitating learning to drive curiosity and assist in thinking.
