READING AMIDST THE PANDEMIC

Ma. Clarissa M. Reyes

Kids learn reading from the words that they see outside. From signage, road signs, billboards and labels of establishments. However, since the onset of the pandemic where they have been restricted from going out this opportunity that helps them learn how to read was gone with the wind. Pressure is now pressed on parents and teachers how to establish a routine that will teach learners how to read especially among beginners.

Kids are visualizers. They don’t learn words at once. Pictures are significant part of the first phase of learning how to read. Through constant practice they learn to associate the word with the picture that they have memorized how to read. Reading should be made fun and a form of recreation so learners won’t despise reading and won’t see it as a punishment. Since reading is a social activity teaching reading where there is prevalent rules for social distancing teaching reading has been a challenge for all educators. So how do we make reading possible now? The challenge now is passed on parents. If educators can tap the support of families in establishing reading routines among children, their job on teaching reading will be even easier than before. Reading as a part of family habit while watching tv, playing or story book reading before bedtime will not just provide bonding but will also establish reading routines among learners. This activities were seen on the celebration of the National Reading Month which meant to collaborate with families in instilling love for reading among children of all ages.

Many families and teachers are worried that children will fall behind during pandemic. Teachers fear that a lot of students will appear to be non-readers and slow readers after this pandemic. Teachers ideally get to know their students well, which enables them to become familiar with each child’s strengths and interests. That makes it easier to select books and other texts that students will enjoy reading themselves or having someone else read to them over and over. Reading books and passages again and again is a great way to develop students’ fluency and comprehension. Some of these teaching techniques are, of course, easier to do with remote learning than others.

How can we teach reading now? It will help a great deal if families see themselves as partners with their child’s teachers and appreciate how everyday activities can support the process of learning how to read. Parents are the first teachers. It is through them where rudiments of life and other learning starts. Families can use digital tools to provide opportunities for kids to create and write their own stories. It’s so important to provide space and time for children to share stories, books and writing creations with friends, neighbors and loved ones in person or even via video. They may ask their child even while arranging goods to read labels of canned goods and biscuits. Simple as they may seem but this will help a lot in teaching their children how to read. If families try harder to make reading at home a fun and routine activity, and teachers can partner and engage with families more than before, we don’t believe that virtual and modular learning has to be an obstacle to learning how to read. If done right, it might even be done better.

The author

is Teacher

--oOo-

II at Guagua Elementary School