As children grow, parents naturally want them to learn to read and write, as these are fundamental skills for communication and literacy. However, some parents might mistakenly believe that forcing their children to read and write equates to them having learned these skills. This approach can actually be counterproductive. This article will explore why forcing children to read and write isn’t the best method and how to better help them enhance their word recognition and reading abilities.
The Four Stages of Language Learning
Before discussing the importance of word recognition for children, let’s first understand the four basic stages of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This is a gradual process, much like how babies need to learn to crawl before they can walk. Expecting children to write repeatedly before they can even read is like expecting a six-month-old to walk—it’s pointless.
The Relationship Between Reading and Writing
Parents often worry whether it’s useful if their children can read but not write. The answer is, of course, it is useful! Just like how we can fluently speak Cantonese, Hokkien, or Hakka without being able to write these dialects. Reading and writing complement each other. Only being able to read but not write limits a child’s expressive abilities in language. Therefore, parents should value their children’s writing skills but not be overly anxious, as schools from kindergarten to elementary will require children to write a lot.
The Root of the Problem
The problem arises when many children, despite writing a lot of characters, can’t correctly read them when asked. They merely copy the strokes without truly understanding the meaning of the characters. This mechanical way of writing doesn’t lead to progress; once the workbook is closed, the children forget everything. This is why parents should focus on improving their children’s word recognition and reading abilities, not just writing.
YelaoShr®’s Solution
YelaoShr® is an educational institution specializing in enhancing children’s word recognition and reading abilities, aiming to help children build a strong foundation, ensuring they write efficiently. With over 18 years of educational experience and more than 400 rigorously trained and certified teachers, our instructors possess Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) backgrounds and hold Malaysia Skills Certificate Level 3 (SKM Level 3) and certifications from the Department of Skills Development (JPK) and Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp).
At YelaoShr®, we use personalized learning plans to create tailored education plans for each child. Our one-on-one teaching approach guides children to learn independently, helping them build a strong foundation in three languages and keep up with their peers. Additionally, we teach 100x word recognition techniques to enhance children’s vocabulary, focusing on educational quality rather than merely completing tasks.
The Role of Parents in the Learning Process
Parents also play a crucial role in this learning process. They can learn how to better support their children’s education, ensuring good progress in word recognition and reading. Here are some measures parents can take:
- Create a Personalized Learning Plan
Understand your child’s learning needs and develop a suitable learning plan to help them with word recognition and reading.
- Encourage Independent Learning
Instead of just forcing them to complete homework, encourage your children to learn proactively, boosting their motivation and interest.
- Help Build a Strong Foundation
Ensure that during the early stages of learning, your child has a clear understanding of basic letters, vocabulary, and grammar, which will help them become more confident in future learning.
- Monitor Learning Progress
Parents should closely monitor their children’s progress in word recognition and reading, identifying and addressing issues promptly.
- Cultivate Reading Habits
Encourage your children to develop reading habits by providing a variety of reading materials, from picture books to storybooks, to spark their interest in reading.
By following these steps, parents can better support the development of their children’s word recognition and reading abilities, helping them achieve better results in language learning.
While writing skills are important for children, it is essential not to overemphasize writing at the expense of word recognition and reading. Children need to go through the four stages of listening, speaking, reading, and writing to truly master a language. YelaoShr® offers professional educational solutions to help children build a solid foundation in word recognition and reading, enabling them to be more confident and successful in their future studies. With active parental involvement and support, children can better develop their la
