When reading, it’s not uncommon to skip small words, whether you’re a child or an adult. These small, high-frequency words, such as “the,” “in,” “on,” “a,” and “of,” are often overlooked. Since these function words don’t add much visual context to the sentence and can be easily comprehended without them, they are often skimmed over. Interestingly, shorter words are more likely to be skipped than longer ones, and predictable words are more likely to be skipped than non-predictable ones.
It’s worth noting that many people aren’t aware that they skip words when reading. They might believe that they read fluently and accurately. However, research indicates that most people do skip words while reading, which can lead to difficulties in understanding the text. The reasons behind this issue can vary from person to person.
Is It Normal To Skip Over Words When Reading?
Yes, it is normal to skip over words when reading. In fact, research shows that most people do skip words while reading. If you’re wondering why you personally skip words when reading, there could be several factors at play. It’s a fascinating topic that delves into the intricacies of our reading habits and cognitive processes.
Major Reasons For Skipping Words While Reading
Skipping words while reading can be a common problem that affects both children and adults. There are several reasons why this might happen such as:
Visual Processing Problem: Some individuals may have difficulty processing what their eyes see, leading to skipping words. This can be due to a visual processing problem, which means that their brain has trouble interpreting visual information.
Eye Tracking Skills: Poor eye tracking skills can cause a person to lose their place while reading, resulting in skipping words. This can happen when a person has trouble following along with text, and their eyes tend to jump around or lose their place.
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD): APD can make it challenging to understand and process what is heard, leading to mishearing or mistaking words and subsequently skipping them while reading.
Dyslexia and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): These conditions can also contribute to skipping words when reading. Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects reading ability, while ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect attention and focus.
Text Complexity: If the text is too difficult or complex, it may be harder to read and comprehend, resulting in skipping words. This can happen when the vocabulary or sentence structure is unfamiliar or when the content is too dense.
Other Factors: When a person is tired, stressed, anxious, or having trouble concentrating, they may find it harder to focus on the text they are reading. These factors may affect reading comprehension and lead to skipping words.
How Do You Stop Skipping Over Words When Reading?
You can practice the strategies I’ve mentioned below in order to get rid of your skipping words when reading habit. These are:
Improve Visual Processing: Practice exercises that enhance your visual processing skills. For example, you can try focusing on individual words or using a pointer to guide your eyes while reading.
Enhance Eye Tracking Skills: Engage in activities that improve eye tracking, such as following a line of text with your finger or a pen. This can help you maintain focus and prevent your eyes from jumping around.
Develop Phonemic Awareness: Phonemic awareness refers to the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds in words. By improving your phonemic awareness, you can enhance your overall reading skills and reduce the tendency to skip words.
Use Reading Aids: Consider using tools like a ruler or index card to cover the text below the line you’re reading. This can help you maintain focus and prevent distractions.
Read Aloud: Reading aloud can improve your reading accuracy and comprehension. It forces you to pay closer attention to each word, reducing the likelihood of skipping over them.
Practice Active Reading: Engage with the text actively by highlighting or underlining important words or phrases. This can help you stay focused and prevent skipping.
Increase Reading Speed Gradually: Gradually increase your reading speed over time while maintaining accuracy. This can help train your eyes to move smoothly across the text without skipping words.
Reduce Distractions: Find a quiet and comfortable environment for reading to minimize distractions. This can help you maintain focus and concentration on the text.
Seek Professional Help: If you suspect that there may be an underlying issue contributing to skipping words when reading, consider consulting with a doctor or specialist who can provide a correct diagnosis and offer appropriate interventions.
Conclusion
Remember, everyone’s reading habits are unique, so it’s important to find strategies that work best for you. Experiment with different techniques and approaches to discover what helps you read more accurately and comprehensively.
