Reading and Computers – Benefits and Bewares

Computer use is one of the most fascinating aspects of modern life. When you incorporate the innovative educational software available today, your home computer can provide endless possibilities for fun, creativity and learning.

Homeschool.com interviewed Ms. Pat Wyman, author of three books, a Reading Specialist and Director of IReadISucceed.com. Ms. Wyman's specialty is preventing and correcting learning-related reading disorders. This interview contains important information that will help you to encourage the visual skills your children need for reading excellence and protect them from computer-related vision problems as you safely take advantage of your home computer and the myriad of creative educational software programs that are available.

 

An Interview with Ms. Pat Wyman

EDITOR: As a Reading Specialist in the area of learning styles, what impact do computers have on reading? Do you believe that computers are harmful or helpful when it comes to reading?

WYMAN: Reading requires a complex set of learned visual skills such as the eyes being able to track smoothly from line to line. When parents are aware of the special learning-related vision issues prior to and as their children use the computer, it will offer them significant advantages.

EDITOR: What are some of the benefits of using a computer to teach reading to children?

WYMAN: One of the nicest benefits for homeschooling parents who are teaching reading is that they can work one-on-one with one child, while their other children use the computer to do such things as on-line research or practice their reading skills using the innovative reading software available today. Their computer can encourage the building of closer relationships and connections between siblings and adults when they use the software to read aloud together.

EDITOR: Technology and software is so much a part of children's lives today. How do you feel about the educational programs that are available?

WYMAN: The wise use of a computer insures that children become comfortable with the technology that is so prevalent in their lives today. For the most part, I like what I see in educational software. Many of today's programs motivate and inspire creativity as well as provide solid educational benefits. They are also interactive and can be used to develop a child's strengths while shoring up any weaker areas.

Excessive computer use, however, can create visual stress, headaches, eyestrain and nearsightedness. In addition, children using the computer or TV too often may not develop the learning-related visual skills they need to become excellent readers.

EDITOR: Can you give us some concrete suggestions to encourage our children to get the foundational skills they need to become excellent readers, while still taking advantage of the good computerized learning tools that are available?

WYMAN: Here are the top 7 steps you can use to make sure your children develop both good eyesight and the visual skills needed for reading excellence while using the computer.

1. Learn the difference between "eyesight" and "vision". Eyesight is the ability to "see" that most children are born with. Vision is the ability to organize, interpret and understand what is seen. Vision is developed and LEARNED like walking and talking. Your children need both good "eyesight" and good "vision" in order to be excellent readers.
    

2. Don't assume that 20/20 eyesight means that your children see the printed page or computer screen the same way you do. 20/20 is a distance sight indicator and simply means that your children can see a certain size letter from 20 feet away. It is not at all related to reading at near point. Have each of your children read aloud to you often to insure that what they see on the printed page and computer screen is the same thing you are seeing.
    
   Good vision means that your children use both eyes as a team to track smoothly from line to line, see at far and near, copy from a book to paper, keep letters in proper order and much more. Some children with perfect eyesight still tell me they see letters moving around or jumping. Still others suffer because they reverse the order of the letters that they see. Any weak link in the visual process can affect reading, especially if the visual system is under stress due to excessive computer, TV or hand-held computer use.
    

3. The American Optometric Association recommends a comprehensive vision screening by age 6 months, at 3 years and then again at age 5. This is an absolute must for early detection and prevention of eye problems that affect reading significantly. Ask for both near- and far-point screening as well as a learning related screening. Look for a developmental or behavioral optometrist in your area who specializes in these screenings.
    

4. Train your children to look up from the computer and focus on something in the distance every few minutes. Check to see whether their head is too close to the screen. The first one will strengthen their visual skills; the last will indicate if an eye exam is needed.
    

5. Get your children outside and have them play catch, ride a bike and participate in sports. This strengthens crucial reading abilities such as tracking, peripheral vision, focusing, eye teaming, eye-hand coordination and improves near- and far-point vision. Many of these skills are not typically learned during sustained computer use and they are essential for both computer use and reading.
    

6. Limit computer use for all your children, especially those under three years of age. Children under three learn through their whole bodies and too much time on the computer limits the developmental skills they need to master at this time: crawling, walking, talking, spatial awareness, tracking, focusing, etc.
    

7. Take frequent breaks from the computer. For every 45 minutes of use, older children should take a break from the computer for 15 minutes. Younger children should take a take a 10-minute break about every half hour. You may want to set a timer.

EDITOR: In your opinion, what is the most important thing parents need to know about computers and reading?

WYMAN: Computers can significantly improve reading abilities when using the guidelines above. Simply be aware that excessive time on the computer can create visual stress and that it is important to balance outside playtime with indoor computer activities.

Give your children the best computer experiences possible by being attentive to their time sitting at the terminal. It's a great tool so login and have a great time learning together!