Caribbean Academy for Reading Intervention and Development

  We’ve heard the term ‘Dyslexia’, but what does it mean? Is it that the person lacks understanding and comprehension skills? Is it that they are unable to write words properly or is it a challenge associated with reading? Let’s delve a bit deeper as we explain more about what exactly is dyslexia.  What is dyslexia?  Dyslexia is defined as difficulty learning to read that is unexpected. While dyslexia impairs an individual's ability to read quickly and automatically, as well as recall spoken words, it does not impair their inventiveness or ingenuity. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects language.   Described as "... a particular learning issue that is neurological in nature," dyslexia is a language-based learning disability. Poor spelling and decoding skills, issues with precise and/or fluent word recognition, are the main characteristics of this condition. These issues are often brought on by a phonological impairment in language, which is frequently un...

  FUN APPROACHES TO BEDTIME STORIES  We’ve delved into what bedtime stories are and the benefits of bedtime stories. One main benefit was that children would be able to associate reading with relaxation and fun. Now, how do you make bedtime stories fun and engaging? Below we’ll share a few ways to make bedtime stories a memorable and enjoyable time for your little one.  Let your child choose the story  Children tend to be more enthusiastic about reading when the story interests them. Having your child choose the story encourages them to engage and look forward to storytime. Reading books that pique your child’s interests encourages your child to look forward to bedtime stories.  Start with books that are easy to comprehend  Choosing age-appropriate books is an important aspect of making bedtime stories a fun and engaging experience. Begin with books that are simple to comprehend, where your child does not feel like bedtime stories are stressful and make the...

  The Secrets of Bedtime Stories  We’ve all heard about bedtime stories, but why? Why should we do bedtime stories? Is it beneficial or simply a way to get our kids to fall asleep quickly?  We often hear many persons advising that it’s good to read bedtime stories to our kids or promote some aspect of a story time before bed. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what exactly are bedtime stories and why they can be beneficial to your child’s reading journey!  What are bedtime stories?  A bedtime story is a traditional storytelling technique in which a tale is read to a kid just before bedtime to get them ready for sleep. Reading bedtime stories to your child may be the ideal way to spend some cherished time and attention with them, however, this straightforward reading practice has advantages beyond just lulling them to sleep. Relaxation  At bedtime, your child is relaxed and at peace. Reading a story during this time may result in children being more willing and ex...

  Decodable text is classified as phonics in the science of reading. When pupils break down words, they determine how to pronounce them aloud. A crucial stage in the reading process is teaching beginning readers how to decode words. Decodable passages assist them in doing this. The same phonetic sounds and patterns that students use when reading aloud are present in a phrase of decodable text. How can this be applied to reading lessons?  Word families can be created using a learnt sound. For example, with the ‘short a’ sound, we can create -at ending words like: bat, cat, rat, sat, mat, pat, fat and hat etc. To make it an interactive and fun activity, these words can be used to make flashcards where students can sound out the word. Students can also assist with making these flashcards and even use different colours for the letters.  The separate letters can also be given to students, and when a word is said they are instructed to spell it out. For example, when you say ‘f...

  Reading depends on decoding. Students can use it to sound out unfamiliar words and figure out the majority of words they have heard but have never seen on paper. All other aspects of reading instruction (fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension) are based on the capacity to decode. While decoding is a crucial reading skill, it is one that some students may struggle to grasp. As a parent or tutor, you can assist by identifying what aspect of decoding the student is struggling with then taking the appropriate steps to guide them correctly. Below we’ll discuss a common decoding mistake and ways in which you can assist your child/student to correct it!  Student misreads a word by only sounding out the first and last letter.  This is a common occurrence in readers of various levels. Without carefully looking at and decoding a word, some students simply guess the word based on the first and last letter.  An example of this is a student seeing the word ‘beat’ and sa...

  Creating fun, interactive and budget-friendly educational resources for your home or classroom can be a task! Sourcing material, dedicating the time and effort to plan and execute one’s ideas can all make this seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! You can create amazing educational resources on a budget using everyday items like paper or bristol board and stationery. Here’s a step-by-step guide to create reading flashcards for your student or child.  What are Flashcards?  A study or memorization tool, flashcards have information on one or both sides. Students of all ages can learn effectively and efficiently by using flashcards. They might be simple or come in many colours. When studying, some students choose to use different coloured flashcards for various themes or subject areas.  Why Flashcards?  Students who learn best visually, tactilely, or kinesthetically may find flashcards to be particularly helpful. Putting information on flashcards a...