A continuation of my Face Book discussion

This is a continuation of my Face Book discussion with Bob and Kate Gladstone. 

On 1.7.2015 Kate Gladstone had written in Bob’s face book page: "Actually, I've met seriously struggling readers who could churn out page after page of impeccable cursive or ball-and-stick printing ... and who could not read even what they had just copied."

My Response: I believe the above statement by Kate is what they call as truism. It is obvious. If I give Kate a passage in Tamil and ask her to churn out page after page which she does impeccably and then ask her to read what she has written will she be able to write?

Bob Rose The best indicator of future reading success is the ability of kids to name random alphabet letters quickly. Many studies have shown that handwriting is the best way to teach letter names, so I don't see how this can hurt. I'm sorry if this opinion offends you, which I don't mean to do.

My Response: Handwriting may be one of the ways and may even be the best way to teach letter names but does it mean it leads to fluent reading? Of course not!

Kate Gladstone I see kids (and grown ups) who are whizzes at rapidly naming alphabet letters... and who cannot read, other than naming letters rapidly.

My response:I agree with Kate’s statement.

Bob Rose Luqman: I'm glad you agree. It's said that things often have negative unforeseen consequences, but I can't see any problem with teaching youngsters to write the alphabet well, and who knows, with all that's written about "haptics" these days, maybe it would even help reduce the percentage of "dyslexics".

My Response: Youngsters should be taught to write the alphabets well. BUT, to say it will reduce the percentage of ‘dyslexics’ is unacceptable.

Bob Rose Kate: you may write that rapid letter naming isn't wonderful, but Marilyn Jager Adams has written that it's the best predictor of future reading success, and a psychologist once emailed me that reading failures are uncommon among rising first-graders with RAN/letters over 40.

My response: So what? Marilyn Jager Adams does not know what she is saying. Just because she is a Ph.D holder it does not mean that whatever she writes must be correct. Bob, for goodness sake listen to what Kate has been telling you all this while. Kate ought to know more about handwriting than does Marilyn.She has had personal experience in handwriting and asking kids to read.

Why are you so adamant about some study you did a long time ago which was probably not even done scientifically.

Luqman Michel Hand writing will help to anchor sounds of alphabets and meaning of words. PERIOD. To say it will reduce 'dyslexics' is carrying it a bit too far. Wait for my next post and I will try and explain and please promise that you will read it with an open mind.