The five components of reading hold immense significance as they establish the groundwork for proficient reading abilities. Having a grasp of phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and critical thinking enables students to decipher words, understand their meanings, and analyze written material (Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. , 2022).

Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. (2022). Teaching reading and writing: The developmental approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

It is important to recognize that these components are interconnected, and their progression is dependent on one another. Phonemic awareness and phonics work together to enhance students’ fluency. The ability to speak fluently contributes to the development of vocabulary and comprehension skills (Gehsmann & Templeton, 2022).

Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. (2022). Teaching reading and writing: The developmental approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan designed to provide personalized support and accommodations to students after screening tools identify students who may be experiencing reading difficulties that may stem from a disability. (Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K., 2022).

Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. (2022). Teaching reading and writing: The developmental approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

According to American University: School of Education Online Program (2023), Dyslexia is a neurological learning disorder that affects an individual’s reading, writing, and spelling proficiency because of challenges in phonological processing, and the manipulation of sounds in spoken language. Students with dyslexia take longer when reading because of the difficulty in decoding words and may have a limited understanding of what they’ve read (American University: School of Education Online Program, 2023).

American University: School of Education Online Program. (2023, January 17). Teaching Strategies for Students with Dyslexia. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/teaching-strategies-students-with-dyslexia/

Dyscalculia affects students' ability to understand and use mathematical vocabulary, symbols, and word problems. They may struggle to express their thoughts and reasoning in mathematical contexts, and have difficulty understanding and following verbal instructions related to math. (Clevland Clinic, 2023).

Clevland Clinic.(2023). Dyscalculia. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23949-dyscalculia

Students with learning disabilities often rely on accommodations to level the playing field, and having access to these supports can reduce the impact of their disability and enhance their educational experience (Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K., 2022).

Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. (2022). Teaching reading and writing: The developmental approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

Systematic and Explicit phonics instruction enables students to practice letter-sound connections in a predetermined manner. Children develop the ability to use these relationships to decode words that use them (Armbruster et al., n.d.).

Armbruster, B. B., Lehr, F., & Osborn, J. (n.d.). The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read Put Reading First. National Institute for Literacy: The Partnership for Reading. https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/PRFbooklet.pdf

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a tiered system designed to provide early intervention to children who need help in closing learning gaps and catching up with their peers. Within the RTI framework, Structured Literacy and Multi-Sensory Instruction can be implemented at different levels of instruction depending on the specific needs of the students (Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. 2022).

Templeton, S., & Gehsmann, K. (2022). Teaching reading and writing: The developmental approach (2nd ed.). Pearson Education Limited.

While limiting time with digital media is beneficial, it does not foster literacy at home.

To help your child develop a lifelong love of reading and learning, it's important to make reading fun, supportive, and meaningful for them. Encourage your child to read widely and deeply, and to share their thoughts and opinions about what they read. By doing so, not only will you help your child improve their reading skills, but you'll also foster a deeper level of engagement with books (National Center on Improving Literacy, 2024).

National Center on Improving Literacy. (2024). Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Development at Home. https://improvingliteracy.org/brief/supporting-your-childs-literacy-development-home

Libraries, educational websites, and youth magazines and media are great resources that can help parents support their child's reading development.