Finger Point Reading

Finger betoken reading often gets a bad rap! Sometimes parents view finger indicate reading as a bad addiction. Although, it can become one for sure, it is necessary in the first stages of reading. Educational researchers take found that "pointing to the print is a critical strategy during the early on stages of learning to read" (Reutzel, 1995). It is an of import developmental phase and really shows that their reading is becoming more than sophisticated as they are learning more about print.

The very first phases of reading include pretend reading, in which readers use previously memorized text and pictures to "read" the story. Beginning readers tin ofttimes friction match the story to the correct page or picture. Withal, they take no concept of what an individual word is or that one spoken discussion equals one written give-and-take. This idea is called concept of give-and-take. This happens partly because at that place are no clear separations in our oral speech, our words are often blended together equally we communicate. Researchers take constitute that moving students from the pretend reading phrase to the finger pointing phrase is a groovy mode to motility children into more independent and successful reading.

Why Finger Point Reading Is Helpful

  • Children learn where words begin and cease on a page
  • Children learn that when we read, print moves from left to right and from the tiptop to the bottom
  • It can help children learn about unlike print features such every bit: lines, words, phrases, spaces, and punctuation
  • It helps children understand the Alphabetic Principle. Our speech communication is made upwardly of individual sounds (phonemes) that translate into letters and those messages are combined together to make words that ultimately carry significant

How Can Nosotros Help Early Readers Begin To Finger Signal?

finger point reading
  • Bear witness them how with easy, predictable books (books where the message, story line and pictures match…think Brown Behave, Brown Deport What Do Y'all Encounter)! When snuggled upwards together reading, yous can model it for them to prove them how to signal to each word equally it is spoken
  • Draw special attention to each word and the spaces that split them, you tin also describe attending to certain messages or punctuation
  • Assist them to recognize a word in print
  • Help them begin to develop an understanding of letter sound associations such as "Oh this give-and-take begins with a c, we know what that says, it says…" Or helping them draw attention to words that are like or rhyme, you could say things such every bit "Oh look, these two words end the aforementioned, and then they sound similar." Or "I see the word cat, what is a word you tin can retrieve of that rhymes with cat?"
  • Talk to them about how the words on the page tell the story and the story is not just invented from the pictures

** Just a notation here! Don't lose sight that books are meant to be enjoyed and always arrive a positive feel. I like to practice finger pointing on a volume that we accept read many times and that they savor, this makes it an overall meliorate experience. If they are simply not that interested or are resistant, d on't worry nearly information technology. Effort again at some other time!

When Is It Time To Movement On?

  • Once your growing reader understands what individual words are and the relationship that one spoken give-and-take equals one written discussion, y'all can begin to focus on sweeping through the words in a sentence instead of the earlier point and peek method. Yous tin can easily bear witness them how to practise this every bit you read with them.
  • Children will learn the process of sliding their finger a little alee of where they are actually reading past watching yous demonstrate information technology for them.
  • Some students may temporarily do what is chosen vocalism pointing where they bob their heads as they continue time with the words to help them keep their place.
  • Continuing to read aloud to them frequently shows them what fluent reading sounds like.

** Also an important note hither: It is important for children from the showtime to understand that reading is not only about the words and messages on the folio but is most importantly well-nigh meaning and of form enjoyment! Additionally, if children go on to finger point after information technology is no longer needed, it can begin to effect their fluency and comprehension.

Happy Reading!

Sources:

Garan, E. M. (2007). Smart answers to tough questions: What to say when you're asked about fluency, phonics, grammar, vocabulary, SSR, tests, support for ELLs, and more. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Reutzel, D. R. (1995). Fingerpoint-Reading and Beyond: Learning About Print Strategies. Reading Horizons, 35(4).

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