Speed Reading

There's No Limit to Speed Reading Techniques

Speed reading techniques are "a method of reading rapidly by assimilating several words or phrases at a glance or by skimming." Speed reading techniques are not meant for leisure reading - that would take all the joy out of reading about the adventures of the Hardy Boys or Jo March. However, it is really useful in reading for information.

In theory, speed reading techniques allow a person to take in more than one word at a time. The brain is capable of grouping words to speed up reading and comprehension. Instead of reading, "Mary stopped at the library and chose three new books," one word at a time, the speed reader can read, "Mary stopped at the library/and chose/three new books." Learning to group words is one way to increase speed.

Are speed reading techniques useful to students? Yes. As your child moves on all the way to college and beyond, he'll face increasing amounts of reading. In addition to reading assignments in every subject, he'll do research for class papers and projects. He'll read for pleasure and to learn life skills, like cooking or repairing a car. At work, he may read anything from manuals to trade magazines. Reading quickly will come in handy.

Good sources on improving speed can be found online. Visit Speeding into Fluency or read Speed Reading 4 Kids by George Stancliffe.

According to Stancliffe, there are four vital components of speed reading:

• Natural vision - Look at a page as if looking at a picture - see everything at once. A child can learn to see whole blocks of type at once.
  
• Visualization - Use imagination. As your child reads, he visualizes people, events, and activities.
  
• Relaxation - Get rid of tension. Your child should be encouraged to relax when he reads and allow himself to get lost in the text.
  
• Daily practice - Work on increasing speed daily. Your child will gain confidence from practice.

Two caveats about speed reading techniques. First, the goal should be about being able to read and comprehend more. Second, be cautious about looking into speed reading techniques courses. Many companies make unrealistic claims and charge high rates. Talk to teachers at your child's school and ask for suggestions about helping your child increase his reading speed. You might also look for websites and books that offer tips and useful reading exercises.