Unlocking Reading Success: The Power of Access, Consistency, and Repetition.
As educators and parents, we share a common goal: to guide our young learners toward proficiency and fluency in reading. In this journey, three foundational principles stand out as essential keys to unlocking reading success: access, consistency, and repetition.
Access: Kids Need A Toolbox
Access to learning materials is the cornerstone of early literacy development. In a classroom setting, this might mean having anchor charts and reference tools readily available for students to engage with. How can we ensure our children have the necessary access to support their reading journey?
In the homeschool environment, providing access takes on a different form. While we can’t plaster our walls with anchor charts, we can equip our young readers with personalized notebooks. A journal, a phonics/spelling journal, and a notebook for vocabulary and skills can serve as invaluable resources. These notebooks become personalized reference libraries, empowering children to make connections and access information independently.
For example, a phonics/spelling notebook can contain spelling patterns and a “kid dictionary.” When confronted with a word like “bake”, a child can refer to their phonics journal to explore different spelling options for the ‘long a’ sound. Through repeated reference and practice, children internalize these skills, becoming more confident and independent in their reading and writing practice.
Consistency: Intention With Our Practice
Consistency is the foundation of building strong reading skills. In the early stages of reading (K-3), it is crucial to maintain uniformity between the tools used for both reading and writing. For example, if you take a look at our OG cards online, you'll notice that the blending drill cards, the alphabet chart, and the word wall letters all use the exact same pictures. This consistency means that when we are reading, we use the same signals or pictures that students reference in writing.This alignment facilitates seamless transition between activities and reinforces learning in a meaningful way.
As educators and homeschooling parents, we must resist the temptation to choose novelty over consistency. While the cute designs on 'Teachers Pay Teachers' might catch our eye, it’s the consistent use of proven tools that fosters those ‘ah-ha’ moments of understanding. Whether it’s blending drill cards, alphabet charts, or word wall letters, maintaining consistency in our materials enhances learning outcomes and nurtures reading success!
Repetition: Practice Makes Perfect
Repetition is the engine that drives learning forward. Just as a musician perfects their craft through hours of practices, young readers sharpen their skills through repeated exposure and engagement. Research underscores the importance of repetition in learning, with varying levels recommended based on individual proficiency levels.
According to educational psychologist Dr. Benjamin Bloom and his colleagues, mastery learning theory suggests that for a typical students, 4-14 repetitions may suffice to solidify learning, while struggling learners might benefit from 14-30 repetitions (Bloom, 1968). Furthermore, individuals with dyslexia, a specific learning disability that impacts reading fluency, may require even more repetitions, ranging from 40-200 repetitions (Shaywitz, 1998).
By integrating daily writing exercises, spelling practice, visual drills, and blending activities into our routines, we provide the necessary repetition for skill mastery.
So what do we do now?
In the pursuit of reading success, access, consistency, and repetition emerge as guiding principles. By embracing these pillars in our teaching and homeschooling practices, we lay a solid foundation for our children’s literacy development.
Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey with your young reader? Explore our curated resource below, designed to support access, consistency, and repetition in reading and writing. Together, let’s empower our children to unlock the doors to literacy and embrace a lifelong love of learning.
Until Next Time,
Morgan Watkins M.Ed.Founder, Watkins Education Consulting
References:
Bloom, B.S. (1968). Learning for mastery. Evaluation comment, 1(2), 1-6.
Shaywitz, S.E. (1998). Dyslexia. New England Journal of Medicine, 338(5), 307-312.
