Methods of Reading

• Stereoscopic Eye Excercise
• Reading Method

1. Table 1
2. Table 2

Reading Method

a.) Initially, newspaper column wide reading material is employed. All reading materials are placed slightly off center toward the non-dominant eye side. The index finger is now placed upon the bottom center of the first line to read. The index finger is slowly raised until the words or entire printed line is clearly seen with a height of 1/4 to 1 inch (1/2 to 2.5 cm). The words will be blacker, sharper and clearer. The index finger is now quickly bent and slowly retracted while maintaining clear print. Reading should only begin after the student is readily capable of using the index finger to "make-it-clear" with the printed page. In actuality, only one or two attempts are needed to find this new focal point and "make-it-clear." This new, elevated, focal point distance needs to be pointed out so that they can readily find it for reading without first touching the page.

It is important to place the finger upon the center of each line and then raise it to the newly required focal point for each line. Repetitious use of the finger for several printed lines insures automatic fixation at the new focal point. The finger usually becomes obstructive and they are told to "make-it-clear" and retract the finger for several lines. Because the focal point is localized at the finger tip, the finger is quickly bent downward and the entire hand pulled back in a smooth continuous motion. Each is allowed to practice this hand movement before using it with the reading method. Thus, the words are made clear and the finger is removed before reading. Again, this is practiced for several lines.

Using the new focal point, with finger in place above the reading material, they are requested to read this line aloud. Immediate results are usually apparent.

Periodically, an individual is unable to secure the reading focal point. They simply require raising the finger to the level of blurring. Then the finger is slowly lowered until the very lowest clear reading height 1/4 to 1 inch (1/2 to 2.5 cm) is found. After recognition, they experience no further difficulty with finding this new focusing point.

After a few lines of reading while "making-it-clear" without the finger in place, each is instructed to look at the tops of words rather than through the centers or bottoms of words.

b.) Use reading material for the level of proficiency and have each child read aloud. Weekly Reader materials are superb for grade school children.

c.) At first, the finger is employed at the start of each new paragraph. Usually it is readily apparent when they are "out-of-it" as they read aloud. The reading reverts to their old patterns as reading aloud becomes choppy and labored. At this time, they should be reminded to again "make-it-clear". It is imperative to always place the finger at the center of a line. If the printed line margin regions are used for focusing, they will be unable to move to the next line without difficulty. It is a common occurrence and initially requires periodic correction.

The finger is placed at the center of the printed line and slowly raised until all the words are clearer or until the entire line is in sharp focus. An occasional person finds the finger distracting after reading with it for a few lines. They are encouraged to retract the finger, backward, out of the way. At first, the reading method may be fatiguing after a few lines or a paragraph or two. This readily improves and soon pages are read without fatigue. However, each will have to read beyond their fatigue level to develop reading stamina.

After the individual reads several lines with use of their index finger, each is instructed to read by looking near the tops of the printed words. The tops of words appear to be more discriminating than their bottoms.

The reading material is first placed slightly toward the non-dominant eye side to ensure binocular vision. Soon the finger is not required and reading becomes automatic at this new reading point. The reading method is simply making the words clear, removing the finger used for finding the clear focusing location and reading at the tops of the printed words.

Home