Reading Readiness Deficiency in Children: Causes and Ways of Improvement

Abstract

Reading is one of the important skills of language. It is a basic tool of education whether formal or informal. Reading is a receptive skill, which involves the ability to meaningfully interpret or decode written or graphic symbols of language. Through reading, the hidden treasure of knowledge is unfolded; knowledge is gained thereby empowering individuals to share and also participate in the world’s universal culture and civilization. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that every one including children imbibe reading culture so as to unlock the world, treasure of knowledge. This study is of great importance as today's children spend hours trapped under derivative distractions such a television, computers, and associated technologies targeted to children. It becomes then imperative to reawaken reading culture among the children who are faced with competing leisure time choices. One of the ways of helping children to imbibe reading culture is to get them reading ready.

This paper focused on the causes of reading readiness deficiency and ways of improving reading readiness in children. The paper identified factors such as socio-economic background, physical abnormalities, mental imbalance, lack of interest, and unfamiliarity with symbols and teachers’ inability to help children as causes of reading readiness deficiency in children. The paper also suggested ways of improving reading readiness and recommended that parents should provide books and stimulating reading environments for their children and helps them cultivate the habit of using their leisure to read for pleasure. It was also recommended among others that teachers must acknowledge the indispensability of reading skills and as such plan an effective programme of reading instruction which should focus on promoting reading culture among children in their schools.

Keywords: Reading, Reading culture, Reading skills, Reading deficiency, Socio-emotional Factors, Physical abnormalities,