We live in a time where technological advancements have made the knowledge and wisdom of humanity available at the touch of a button. Accessing this information has never been easier, as connectivity to the internet is becoming a fundamental right. For children to make the most of this astonishing turn of events, they require at least a basic level of reading ability.
Read on to find out why getting started with the process is the most challenging part and how, with the help of a literacy tutor, children tend to read much quicker than they would otherwise.
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The Importance of Literacy
One of the starkest divisions between the economic classes of yesteryear was the ability to read and write. Literacy has only risen until recently when we’ve seen a sharp decline in children’s ability in terms of the levels of comparative competency from previous years. Literacy is the foundation of our modern world and something we generally take for granted due to how commonplace it has become.
Make no mistake, though, the correlation between literacy and success is inextricable. The chances of someone succeeding in life without a basic grasp of reading are minuscule. Even if someone were to find a niche that doesn’t require them to read, they’ll still find themselves effectively cut off from a world the majority of humanity enjoys daily.
We have been shaped by the advent of the printing press since its invention, and nothing before or since has had a more significant impact on us other than the harnessing of fire and the invention of the wheel. Letting a child grow up illiterate is akin to barring their entry into the space that makes us modern humans, not just from prospective job opportunities.
Basic reading skills are a right that no child should be denied in this day and age. When academic success hinges on such an essential skill, there’s no excuse for allowing a child to grow up without it.
Children with learning difficulties may find it more challenging than others, but that’s not the same as it is impossible. These children require extra attention and guidance, precisely what literacy tutors aim to afford them.
Literacy and Mental Health
Children feel acutely different from their peers, especially when the difference comes from a perceived lack of ability. When they see their friends excelling in class without issue, they tend to ask difficult questions of themselves, which often leads to a lack of confidence. Before long, if they’re not given the help they need to catch up, they may develop a complex concerning their ability to learn in general.
This is disastrous for cultivating a positive view of learning and education, without which their later life will suffer. Children aren’t just learning what they’re taught in class but also about themselves. Their ideas about who they are and their capabilities are formed early.
It only takes a little imagination to understand how an inability to read will affect one’s self-worth and how poor self-worth impacts a person’s outlook on life. Generally speaking, people are only capable of what they believe themselves to be capable of, so sustaining this kind of damage early on is not the sort of foundation to build a happy and contented life.
Helping a child increase vocabulary and reading comprehension is a complex matter of giving them the tools necessary to understand a written sentence. The real value is in showing them how capable they are and what they can learn should they receive the help and attention they need. This helps to bolster a child’s confidence and mold an intrinsic motivation that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
The importance of fostering a positive relationship with the learning process cannot be overstated. It’s the difference between a child eager and willing to learn and one who only feels anxiety at the idea.
The Difference a Literacy Tutor Makes
Some children only need a little extra help to get the ball rolling. Others benefit greatly from the opportunity to work with a teacher or tutor on a one-to-one basis without classroom distractions. It’s tough to pay attention when you’re a child who’s surrounded by friends, where the possibility of adventure and play seems much more interesting than learning to read.
Children who have dyslexia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and other such learning disabilities particularly benefit from private tutoring. Having someone help guide them personally serves to focus their attention while taking their character into account. A classroom setting often leaves children behind who don’t naturally take to paying attention.
Children must be engaged to learn, and distractions abound in the classroom. A good tutor can form a relationship with the child, which helps them feel at ease. It’s all too common for children to dislike their teachers, especially after being singled out or hassled for their inattentive natures.
Children are perceptive and can quickly tell when a teacher has taken a dislike to them. Learning from someone who has you pigeonholed as lazy, disruptive, or simply not worth their time is all but impossible. This sort of relationship is far from uncommon and only serves to harbor resentment for the learning process as a whole.
Tutors don’t simply help children learn what’s necessary; they also help them see that learning needn’t be a source of unpleasantness. A skilled tutor shows their students that learning is an enjoyable journey and something to be proud of.
READ Learning Centre Sacramento, CA
If you think your child would benefit from some time with a literacy tutor to help them regain their enthusiasm for learning and build some much-needed self-esteem, we have a range of programs to choose from. Our tutoring options include help with reading, writing, spelling, and math.
We also have the facilities, experience, and knowledge to assess children for dyslexia. A timely assessment helps children receive the extra help they need, which can make all the difference.
If you want to learn more about our services, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to hear from you!