If you observe children with reading difficulties, many negative effects become apparent. During the early grades, their difficulties are quite embarrassing to them. This humiliation leads to a predictable decrease in motivation and self-esteem. Children are easily frustrated and ashamed of their difficulties once they notice that many of their classmates read so effortlessly. As the youngsters mature, many of them drop out of school and of the those who manage to graduate from high school less than two percent attend a four year college.
Skilled reading requires the integration of several skills and abilities.
Phonemes cannot actually be 'heard' by the ear because when we speak the sounds in each syllable and word are folded into one sound to permit rapid communication. Many readers must be taught 'phoneme awareness' if it does not come easily to them. Understanding that spoken words are composed of phonemes is critical because in beginning reading, new words are decoded by linking the phonemes to the letter symbols. Once children learn how to apply sounds to letter symbols, they must practice the process to ensure that their reading becomes rapid and fluent. Reading requires phoneme awareness, phonics, reading fluency, and comprehension skills.