Children are not born with the ability to read. They must learn certain skills that will enable them to read with understanding. Teachers can teach children to develop the skills needed to become readers.

Reading is a skill that must be learned.

Reading is a skill that involves the ability to decode words AND simultaneously understand the meaning of these words.

Learning to read is a developmental process and students will progress from one stage to another as they learn to interact with the letters, words and ideas in texts. Although the process of learning to read will be fast for some children and slower for others, ALL children can learn to read if taught the proper skills in an active and nurturing environment with relevant pedagogy, books and text.