Helping Children Learn to Read with Eye Games

Children often struggle with learning to read simply because they can't do it yet. Proficiency comes after lots of attempts, mistakes and learning. But sometimes kids need a break from the intensity of phonics and memorizing sight words. Consider including some fun games to train your child's eyes and allow him to better track the words and have the reading success you both crave.

Vision and Reading

Certainly if your child is experiencing reading problems the first thing to check is vision. Make sure your child sees near and far and does not require glasses. If the vision checks out but you notice your child's eyes darting back and forth as she attempts to bring sounds together to form words then tracking might be the issue.

Eye tracking

In order to read the English language eyes must track left to right in a more or less smooth fashion. Eyes might backtrack occasionally but too much back and forth movement can slow down reading and frustrate the reader. A few games can help your child strengthen his eye tracking and speed his reading and as an added bonus, since you are playing games he might not even know what you are up to.

Mazes for Eye Tracking Skills

Simple mazes can be completed by tracking the eyes between the lines and around the curves. This targeted eye motion helps children develop the eye control needed for sustained reading. Check for books of mazes or search online for downloadable mazes. Your child may wish to begin by using his finger. This is useful as well but ideally the task should be completed with the eyes alone.

Puzzles for Brain and Eyes

Wooden puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, and homemade puzzles help eyes develop the skills to notice details in shape and form. Letters, after all, are line shapes. Strengthening the eye skill of looking closely to discover puzzle piece curves of matching shape will help the associated eye skills of recognizing letter patterns. While puzzles with pictures appeal to children, consider making your own puzzles with pictures and tag-board and have your child work the puzzle in from the back side. Working a simple, blank puzzle helps the child focus on the shapes alone rather than the colors and pictures.

Eye-Spy with Learning Eyes

Pick a familiar item and hide it in an area with lots of visual "clutter" (such as a playroom or kitchen). Play eye-spy and encourage your child to look closely and find the object. Allowing the eye to travel over objects searching for an item helps train the eye to travel over letters and look critically for details. This is a great game for down-time moments such as waiting rooms.

Learning to read is a challenge. Encourage your child to have fun with books and sit together just looking at them. Continue to read to your child often, even as he is learning to read to himself. Demonstrate with your own finger how your eyes track from left to right and help him to notice how he can use his own eyes to play game, notice patterns, and enjoy the world around him.Helping Children Learn to Read with Games