Many children today struggle with Kriah and are sent for tutoring to help their learning. Although it’s commendable that something is being done to try and help the child, the problem begins when such tutoring goes on for months or even years (!). It doesn’t have to be that way.
By Mrs. Devorah Leah Hellinger – Kriah Mastery
Many children today struggle with Kriah reading at all different ages. Some make mistakes while reading, while others can read but with great effort and are quickly tired out.
To help these children read, they are sent for extra tutoring, practicing to read words or pessukim. But oftentimes the improvement is slow and minimal. Children can attend tutoring for months or even years (!) and not master Kriah.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Kriah is a defined skill with a logical buildup. By identifying which skills a child is missing, it is possible to teach or strengthen those skills for perfect reading. Progress should be clear and noticeable within a short time.
There is no reason why any child should have to suffer not being able to read. Every child, no matter their learning style or weakness in other learning areas (even many who are dyslexic), can be taught these basic skills.
A proper Kriah reading should flow. Some may read slower than others, but their reading will nevertheless be fluid. If someone finds it too burdensome to read, reads too slowly, or reads with mistakes, that is a sure sign that they are missing certain skills.
Having such a child practice by saying Tehillim or the like will not help them perfect their reading. In fact, it will more likely just reinforce their mistaken habits and cause them to hate Kriah more!
*
Parents often ask why their child who can read all of the nekudos finds Kriah challenging.
It’s important to realize that knowing how to combine letters and nekudos is only the first step of Kriah. The second and more critical step involves 2nd-level skills that produce an accurate and fluid reading. An older child (or an adult) reading with mistakes is generally missing some vital 2nd-level skill.
Learning Kriah should not be an endless endeavor, with years of tutoring.
I have consistently found that children (9 years and older) and adults can master an accurate Kriah reading in just 6 weeks, followed by up to 3 months of practice to increase speed.
No child should be embarrassed by an inability to read. Every child should be able to open a siddur and read with confidence and ease.
For more information on how to help your child master Kriah, reach out to Kriah Mastery here.
I personally know Mrs. Hellinger for years and seen the difference she makes. its amazing to watch, as she takes these children after years of struggling, and within a short six weeks, they’re excited and enthusiastic to read. I marvel every time.
Nice to see Kingston talent being shared with the world!!!!
We did zoom class with Mrs Hellinger, she was great!