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If you think that learning to read is not a ‘natural process, then it is not true.
That happens all on its own. Learning how to read is a complicated process that needs proper teaching of many skills and strategies. In this regard, the main thing is the learning of phonics (the relationship between letters and sounds). However, you can learn to read at any stage of your life. We mostly learn how to read at an early age.
How can Reading Benefit You
Reading benefits us in countless ways. Learning how to read brings us to acquire knowledge efficiently throughout our life. There are different ways to read unfamiliar words, such as decoding, analogizing, or predicting. And to read familiar words, readers access their mind memory. This phenomenon of reading familiar words is also known as sight word reading. However, getting acquainted with unknown words require your knowledge of phonemes. The process of learning words involves the connections between graphemes and phonemes. If you have this knowledge, then you will be aware of connecting the spellings of images of the words to their pronunciations and meanings in your memory.
Know the Process of Learning How to Read
It is never too late to learn how to read. You can learn how to read at any stage of your life. We discussed that learning how to read is a complex process that requires your prior phonemic awareness and knowledge of the alphabetic system. Alphabet learning is the first step in learning the reading process. Recent studies show that learning the alphabet increases your learning of new vocabulary words. 26 letters make up the English alphabet, which is the base of all English language words. If you want to read or teach your children how to read, you should get familiar with the alphabet.
Why is Knowing ‘How to Read’ Important?
● Learning or knowing how to read is essential because it helps you grow your knowledge. We are going to share some effective strategies to start learning how to read.
● Clues or Cues. It means to identify a word by guessing with the help of context cues. There are the following ways to guess a word by cues.
● Knowing to mean (semantics)
● Having a background knowledge and context of the word, e.g., vocabulary in mind
● The structure (syntax) to how the word fits in common grammar rules, e.g., if a word is a verb, noun, or an adjective.
● An awareness of the visual (Graphophones) of a word, e.g., upper- and lowercase letters, common spelling patterns, etc.
Focus on these Simple Ways to Learn How to Read
● Use your finger to guide you through the lines and not lose focus
● Highlight words you do not know and look them up, then read again
● Aim for speed because the faster you read, the more times you can go over the page/s
● As we mentioned above, you must be aware of the alphabets and their sounds. After that, there are some simple tips at the beginner’s level to start reading. These steps are:
● Sound out the word by saying each letter sound slowly. Try blending the sounds to form the word.
● Make your reading simpler by chunking up the word.
Pick out the prefixes, suffixes, endings, or base words, etc., which you already know. Read these chunks separately and then blend them by sounding out the word.
● Make connections of the new words with the words you already know.
● Reread the words and repeat the sentences.
● Don’t get stuck on a word; instead, keep reading.
● Make predictions by looking at the pictures, chapter names, headings, diagrams, etc.
● Try to make a connection with the text by visualizing. Make the story of what you’re reading and see the story unfolding in time and space.
● Expand your Reading Process by the Following Methods
● Reading increases your knowledge as well as your IQ. The process of reading expands.
Here are the following methods to broaden your reading scope:
Access Online Libraries
There are many paid or unpaid online libraries available on the internet. Furthermore, you can find a book by typing its name and getting it for free. It is the most accessible way to explore new topics.
Contact your Local Library
Besides online libraries, we all have local libraries that pair their learners with a trained literacy tutor. Try to connect with these libraries and grow your reading knowledge.
Search for A Community-based Service
Check if your local church, public school, or any other near community group is sponsoring a literacy program. They offer programs that connect learners with someone who helps improve their reading skills.
Learning Disabilities
Learning is a gradual process that takes time, but sometimes a person has a learning disability that becomes a hurdle in learning how to read. For example, some tools and methods can help people with dyslexia. A person with dyslexia has difficulty interpreting spatial relationships or integrating auditory and visual information.
You Must Know These Four Levels of Reading
Four levels of reading are discussed in the book “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren.
These four levels are:
Elementary Level
As its name shows, elementary reading is the reading that is achieved during the elementary schooling years.
Inspectional Level
It is the level of reading where we get a meaningful and advanced review of the text. It is the level where we evaluate the merits of a more profound reading experience. Skimming and superficial reading are examples.
Analytical Level
At this level, we do an in-depth study of the text and ponder about it. We got the theme of the text and tried to interpret its meaning.
Syntopical Reading
Syntopical reading is comparative reading. It is the most challenging level of reading. At this level, a reader reads many books on the same subject and then compares them.
References
Ehri, L. C., & Wilce, L. S. (1987). Does learning to spell help beginners learn to read words?. Reading research quarterly, 47-65.
Teale, W. H. (1982). Toward a theory of how children learn to read and write naturally. Language Arts, 59(6), 555-570.
Wiggins, G. P., Wiggins, G., & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Ascd.
What supplements help with IQ or brain agility?
Before delving into the details of what supplements improve IQ or brain agility, let’s understand what IQ or brain agility is. Apart from nutritional supplements, there are many other factors influencing IQ or brain agility.
What is IQ?
IQ is an abbreviation of intelligence quotient, and it is the total score estimated by various tests accessing human mental ability or intelligence. Psychologist William Stern firstly suggested the abbreviation IQ. Approximately two-thirds of the population’s IQ score is between 85 and 115. About 2% of people have an IQ level above 130, and they are the gifted ones. And some people, almost about 2%, have IQ below 75.
What is mental agility?
The human brain is very complex, fragile, and complicated. Describing it in simple words is a tough job. Mental agility is the capacity to reason, make decisions, and communicate effectively. It also refers to the capability of learning and reproducing new ideas. It is the test of how one can cope in different situations and react intuitively. Regular mental exercise is needed to maintain mental agility. Neurofeedback is a way to exercise your brain. Specific games and puzzles are available to train specific parts of the brain.
Brain foods and their effects
Foods are generally perceived to be a means of energy and nutrition, but it is quite interesting that some foods can increase brain power and IQ levels. Foods containing omega 3- fatty acids are beneficial to boost the brain. Along with food items, eating habits and exercise have a vital role in building the brain’s cognitive capacity. Changing eating habits can give surprising results. Recent research shows that there is a strong relationship between food acquiring strategies and intelligence. A proper diet with saturated organic meals controls many aspects of emotions such as mood and psychiatric manifestations.
What are nootropics?
Nootropics are natural drugs and supplements that boost brain power in healthy individuals. They are not guaranteed to provide artificial intelligence. Instead, they increase the already present brightness and motivate brain cells to action. They provide brain boost, motivation, and memory enhancement.
These are the best Helootropics:
- Fish oils
Fish oil supplements are a bonanza of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and EPA, two types of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids provide improved brain health. DHA plays a valuable part in maintaining the structure and functioning of the brain. It develops 25% of total fats and 90% of the Omega-3 present in brain cells. Generally, the best way to get the recommended amount of omega-3 fatty acids is by taking two portions of oily fish per week.
- Resveratrol
Resveratrol is an antioxidant found in the skin of purple and red fruits like grapes, raspberries, and blueberries. It is also a component of red wine. It is a rich component of chocolate and peanuts.
According to research, resveratrol supplements could avert the hippocampus’s degradation, an essential component of the brain associated with memory. Drug stores offer the counter Resveratrol.
3. Caffeine
Caffeine regulates memory and brain functioning with minimal side effects. It is a natural supplement that energizes the brain. People can consume it in the form of tea, coffee, dark chocolate, or supplement form.
4. Phosphatidylserine
Research shows that taking phosphatidylserine supplements helps preserve and enhance mental health. Phosphatidylserine is composed of a fat compound called a phospholipid, found in your brain as a small component. Taking 100mg of phosphatidylserine twice or thrice a day is recommended to reduce cognitive decline and age-related ailments.
5. Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid generated naturally in your body. It plays a significant role in energy production and metabolism. Taking an adequately administered dosage of acetyl-L-carnitine supplements can make you feel more alert, improve memory, and slow down age-related memory loss. It also enhances learning capacity and helps counteract the age-related decline in brain function and Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Creatine
Creatine is essential in energy and metabolism. Foods like meat, fish, and eggs contain it. Creatine can improve memory and thinking skills. It is found naturally in the body, mostly in muscles and in smaller amounts in the brain. Vegetarians who don’t eat meat can take its supplements.
7. Cocoa
Cocoa is a component of dark chocolate and coffee. It is another famously known natural relaxant and brain booster. The brain is very likely to suffer oxidative stress, and cocoa has antioxidants from polyphenols, which has many benefits. Such as reduces inflammation and improves cholesterol levels. Cocoa is rich in flavanols, which lowers blood pressure. It enhances the blood flow to the brain cells and encourages neuron and blood vessel growth. So it is advisable to eat chocolate to support mental health.
8.Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds contain vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. They protect brain cells from oxidative stress. Sunflower seeds, almonds, and hazelnuts are rich sources of vitamins, which boost brain functioning in old age.
9. Eggs
Eggs are probably the best-known source of nutrition. Eggs are a rich source of vitamin B-6, B-12, and folic acid. They are essential for brain growth and development. That is why most nutritionists consider it as an integral component of the daily diet.
10. Broccoli
Broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous vegetables are substantial in fiber and nutrients. As Broccoli is a very low-calorie source of dietary fiber, it is good for the brain.
Broccoli is rich in compounds called glucosinolates. When the body breaks them, they produce isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates lessen oxidative stress and lower the tendency of neurodegenerative ailments. Vitamin C and flavonoids found in Broccoli are antioxidants that can further boost a person’s brain health.
Other cruciferous vegetables that contain glucosinolates include brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, and kale.
In short, you are what you eat. Maintaining a diet rich in nutrients supports your mental health. Eating healthy helps improve your overall health. In return, you will lead a better quality of life.
References
https://www.mentalup.co/blog/mental-agility
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-nootropic-brain-supplements#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324044
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence_quotient
People constantly boost their IQ levels. Yes! You heard me right. There may be myths that there is no correlation between your mind and genetics that can improve your IQ. But trust me, you can breakthrough your emotional disabilities by following some intellectual activities. All you need is a hunger to learn and adapt to new learnings.
- Be a bibliophile: There is a saying that “He who can read and write has four eyes”. You have to keep studying with a hunger to learn about history, arts, science, and learn the mechanism of the world. You have to make reading books a habit. Do a little research and try to find interesting books which will make you fall in a love with reading. Once you start reading about things, you’ll feel the hunger to know more about the world. That will help you boost up your intellectual knowledge a little more.
- Play mind games: Mind games keep your memory active and help you scrutinize your knowledge in critical conditions. Different studies show that it increases your IQ thoroughly. You can learn different gaming languages and stimulate your memory while playing mind games. You can make a habit of playing for a while every day. Even I am playing for a while, and guess what? It is pretty amazing. You can play Puzzles, Sudoku, and different card games that you can find online.
- Keep exercising: Regular exercise is a healer for everything. Physically, it keeps you fit, and mentally it helps to sleep well and work as a stress reliever. It leads to boosting and improving your memory. It may sound like an ordinary thing. But you will feel its benefits once you start doing it.
- Test yourself: You can’t be optimistic until you get out of your comfort zone. Get yourself into different situations and try to overcome them by yourself. This type of situation stimulates you to go through different mental activities and come up with conceptual solutions. Try to be active mentally and engage in new things. Discomfort will make you learn and adapt to changes and increase your IQ at the same time.
- Think differently: You can do some group projects. Each of your teammates will come up with ideas. This pushes you to think out of the box and think creatively. You have to get out of the traditional way of thinking and adopt a different way of thinking.
References:
- Ely, P. (2020). 5 Smart Ways to Increase Your IQ (Because It’s Not Set in Genetic Stone). Retrieved 30 November 2020, from https://www.success.com/5-smart-ways-to-increase-your-iq-because-its-not-set-in-genetic-stone/Kuszewski, A. (2020). You Can Increase Your Intelligence: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Cognitive Potential. Retrieved 30 November 2020, from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/you-can-increase-your-intelligence-5-ways-to-maximize-your-cognitive-potential/
Mindbenefits Neurofeedback - The Prize Of Training 