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Speed Reading

Read Faster and Read Better

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TipIf you're serious about speed reading exercises, we highly recommend the speed reading exercises used by the popular speed reading program, 7-Speed Reading*. Click 7-Speed Reading for more details.

Children have a great capacity for learning things, by using their curiosity and their concentration, especially around the ages of 9 to 11.

For children this age, it is important that you teach your child using the best learning and reading techniques.

If you’re interested in teaching your child speed reading, then there are several speed reading exercises and speed reading courses for children. But make sure that only a specialized teacher with the relevant qualifications runs the course and conducts the exercises.

One such speed reading course for children consists of 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The children are also encouraged to practice at home for at least 15 minutes a day, by reading books of their choosing.

A speed reading course for children usually has at least 4 students. Basic materials include books with content appropriate for the children’s age, candy or small prizes for rewards, and a watch with a second hand or an electronic stopwatch.

The basic concept presented in the course is that people can use more of their natural vision to read. As for the meaning of "natural vision", think how we actually perceive our environment: when we look at a tree in one or two glances; we see the tree entirely, we do not begin to look at each element (branches, leaves, etc) and then form the image of the tree in our minds.

This is what is explained to the children: look at words as a group, and look even at an entire page, rather than look at just one word at a time.

Children in speed reading courses participate in several exercises. One of the first exercises is for the children to look at 5 pages in 10 seconds, without the need of reading pages entirely; they should just read the phrases that caught their eyes. The number of pages will increase over time.

The next step is for the children to say to one another what they remember from the text. All their answers are rewarded, so that the speed reading class will keep them motivated.

A second exercise is for the children to actually read the pages in 30 seconds and to tell one another what they’ve just read. This increases receptiveness as well as communication.

In another exercise, the children will read 1 page, or a certain number of pages, in a given time limit. The number of pages and allotted time will vary through the course.

So, if you want to make the most of your child's formative years, then you might consider a speed reading course tailored especially to children's needs. But choose wisely and carefully. Always check the teacher's qualifications and reputation. Talk with your child to assess their level of interest in taking the course and find out and talk about any concerns your child may have. Before enrolling your child in a speed reading course, seek the advice of an appropriately qualified professional.